Escitalopram Sandoz
Escitalopram Sandoz is a medicine used to treat depression and anxiety disorders by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
5 mg
Active Ingredient
Escitalopram oxalate
Manufacturer
Sandoz A/S
How to Use
Dosage
The usual starting dose for adults is 10 mg once a day. For panic disorder, start with 5 mg daily for the first week, then 10 mg.
Method
Take the tablet whole with water, with or without food.
Important
The maximum daily dose is 20 mg, but your doctor might adjust it to 10 mg for certain conditions or for elderly patients.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Nausea
- •Headache
- •Stuffy or runny nose (sinusitis)
- •Increased or decreased appetite
- •Anxiety, restlessness, unusual dreams, difficulty sleeping, drowsiness, dizziness, yawning, tremor, tingling of the skin
- •Diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, dry mouth
- •Increased sweating
- •Muscle and joint pain
- •Sexual problems (delayed ejaculation, erection problems, decreased sex drive, difficulty reaching orgasm for women)
- •Fatigue, fever
- •Weight gain
RARE
- •Unusual bleeding, including from the stomach or gut
- •Severe allergic reaction with swelling of the skin, tongue, lips, throat or face, hives, or trouble breathing or swallowing
- •High fever, agitation, confusion, muscle tremors, or sudden muscle jerks (signs of serotonin syndrome)
- •Difficulty urinating
- •Seizures
- •Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (signs of liver problems or inflammation)
- •Fast, irregular heartbeat or fainting (may be signs of a life-threatening condition called Torsade de Pointes)
- •Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
- •Sudden swelling of the skin or mucous membranes (angioedema)
- •Hives, rash, itching
- •Teeth grinding, agitation, nervousness, panic attacks, confusion
- •Taste disturbance, sleep disturbances, fainting
- •Dilated pupils, vision changes, ringing in ears (tinnitus)
- •Hair loss
- •Heavy menstrual bleeding
- •Irregular periods
- •Weight loss
- •Fast heartbeat
- •Swelling of arms or legs
- •Nosebleed
- •Aggression, feeling unreal (depersonalization), hallucinations
- •Slow heart rate
- •Low sodium in the blood (symptoms include feeling sick, nausea, muscle weakness, confusion)
- •Dizziness when standing up due to low blood pressure
- •Abnormal liver function test results (increased liver enzyme levels in blood)
- •Movement disorders (involuntary muscle movements)
- •Painful erection (priapism)
- •Bleeding disorders including skin and mucous membrane bleeding (ecchymosis)
- •Increased secretion of ADH hormone, leading to fluid retention and diluted blood (abnormal ADH secretion)
- •Milk secretion in non-nursing women and men
- •Mania
- •Changes in heart rhythm (prolonged QT interval, visible on ECG)
- •Very heavy vaginal bleeding shortly after childbirth
- •Restless movements (akathisia)
- •Loss of appetite (anorexia)
- •Increased risk of bone fractures
Important Warnings
- Do not take if you are allergic to escitalopram or any other ingredients in this medicine.
- Do not take if you are currently taking other medicines called MAO inhibitors (like selegiline, moclobemide, or linezolid).
- Do not take if you have a heart rhythm problem or if you are taking medicines that affect heart rhythm.
- Tell your doctor if you have epilepsy or if you experience new or worsening seizures during treatment.
- Tell your doctor if you bruise or bleed easily, or if you are pregnant, as there is an increased risk of heavy vaginal bleeding after childbirth.
Show 6 more warnings
- If you have thoughts of harming yourself or suicide, contact your doctor or go to a hospital immediately.
- Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless you have discussed the risks and benefits with your doctor.
- Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you, as it may impair your ability.
- If you experience unusual excitement, racing thoughts, or extreme happiness, contact your doctor immediately as these could be signs of a manic episode.
- During the first weeks, you might feel restless or have difficulty sitting or standing still; tell your doctor right away if this happens.
- If you have diabetes, this medicine might affect your blood sugar levels, so your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category C
Suitable for older adults, with specific precautions. Serotonergic. Risk of QT prolongation. A significant adverse effect is low serum sodium level. Increases risk of falls. Consider potential interactions especially with preparations that increase risk of bleeding. (updated 12.2.2024)