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Escitalopram Sandoz

Escitalopram Sandoz is a medicine used to treat depression and anxiety disorders, including panic attacks, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
15 mg
Active Ingredient
Escitalopram oxalate
Manufacturer
Sandoz A/S

How to Use

Dosage

For adults, the usual starting dose is 10 mg once a day. For panic disorder, start with 5 mg daily for one week, then increase to 10 mg. For elderly patients (over 65), the starting dose is 5 mg daily.

Method

Take the tablet with water, with or without food. Some tablets (10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg) can be divided if needed.

Important

The maximum daily dose is usually 20 mg. For patients with liver problems or those over 65, the maximum dose is 10 mg per day.

Possible Side Effects

COMMON
  • •Nausea
  • •Headache
  • •Stuffy or runny nose (sinusitis)
  • •Increased or decreased appetite
  • •Anxiety, restlessness, unusual dreams, difficulty sleeping, sleepiness, dizziness, yawning, shaking, tingling skin
  • •Diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, dry mouth
  • •Increased sweating
  • •Muscle and joint pain
  • •Sexual problems (delayed ejaculation, erection problems, decreased sex drive, and difficulty reaching orgasm in women)
  • •Tiredness, fever
  • •Weight gain
RARE
  • •Unusual bleeding, including bleeding in the stomach or intestines
  • •Swelling of the skin, tongue, lips, throat or face, hives, or difficulty breathing or swallowing (severe allergic reaction)
  • •High fever, agitation, confusion, muscle tremors and sudden muscle twitching, which can be signs of a rare serotonin syndrome
  • •Difficulty urinating
  • •Seizures
  • •Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, which can be a sign of liver problems or inflammation
  • •Fast, irregular heartbeat or fainting, which can 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 changes, sleep disturbances, fainting
  • •Dilated pupils, vision problems, ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
  • •Hair loss
  • •Heavy menstrual bleeding
  • •Irregular periods
  • •Weight loss
  • •Fast heartbeat
  • •Swelling in arms or legs
  • •Nosebleeds
  • •Aggression, feeling detached from oneself (depersonalization), hallucinations
  • •Slow heartbeat
  • •Low sodium levels in the blood (symptoms include feeling sick, nausea, muscle weakness, and confusion)
  • •Dizziness when standing up due to low blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension)
  • •Abnormal liver function tests (increased liver enzyme levels in blood tests)
  • •Movement disorders (involuntary muscle movements)
  • •Painful erection (priapism)
  • •Signs of unusual bleeding, e.g., in the skin or mucous membranes (bruising)
  • •Increased release of ADH hormone, leading to fluid buildup in the body and diluted blood with lower sodium (abnormal ADH secretion)
  • •Milk production in non-breastfeeding women and men
  • •Mania
  • •Changes in heart rhythm (prolonged QT interval, seen on an ECG)
  • •Very heavy vaginal bleeding shortly after childbirth (postpartum hemorrhage)
  • •Restlessness (akathisia)
  • •Loss of appetite
  • •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 using other medicines called MAO inhibitors (like selegiline, moclobemide, or linezolid).
  • Do not take if you have an irregular heart rhythm that was present at birth or developed later (seen on an ECG).
  • Do not take if you are using medicines for heart rhythm problems or other medicines that can affect your heart rhythm.
  • Tell your doctor if you have epilepsy. If you have new seizures or more frequent seizures while on this medicine, stop taking it and contact your doctor.
Show 15 more warnings
  • Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems, as your dose may need to be changed.
  • Tell your doctor if you have diabetes, as this medicine can affect your blood sugar levels.
  • Tell your doctor if you have low sodium levels in your blood.
  • Tell your doctor if you bruise or bleed easily, or if you are pregnant.
  • Tell your doctor if you are receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
  • Tell your doctor if you have coronary artery disease.
  • Tell your doctor if you have or have had heart problems, or recently had a heart attack.
  • Tell your doctor if you have a slow resting heart rate, or if you know you might have low salt levels due to severe diarrhea, vomiting, or using diuretics.
  • Tell your doctor if you have a fast or irregular heartbeat, feel dizzy or faint when standing up, as these could be signs of an abnormal heart rhythm.
  • Tell your doctor if you have or have had eye problems, like a certain type of glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye).
  • If you have bipolar disorder, this medicine might cause a manic episode. Contact your doctor if you experience unusual thoughts, increased energy, or extreme happiness.
  • In the first weeks of treatment, you might feel restless or have trouble sitting or standing still. Tell your doctor right away if this happens.
  • This medicine can cause sexual side effects, which may continue even after you stop taking it.
  • If you are depressed or anxious, you might have thoughts of harming yourself or suicide. These thoughts can increase when you first start this medicine. If you have such thoughts, contact a doctor or go to a hospital right away.
  • Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, unless your doctor has approved it after discussing the risks and benefits.

Additional Information

ATC Code: N06AB10
→ View Professional Information (PDF)→ View Patient Leaflet (PDF)