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
20 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 increase to 10 mg daily. For elderly patients, the recommended starting dose is 5 mg once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose.
Method
Take the tablet whole with water, with or without food.
Important
The maximum daily dose for most adults is 20 mg. For elderly patients or those with liver problems, the maximum daily dose is 10 mg.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Nausea
- •Headache
- •Blocked or runny nose (sinus infection)
- •Changes in appetite (more or less hungry)
- •Feeling anxious, restless, or nervous
- •Unusual dreams, trouble sleeping, feeling sleepy
- •Dizziness, yawning, shaking, tingling skin
- •Diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, dry mouth
- •Sweating more than usual
- •Muscle and joint pain
- •Sexual problems (like delayed ejaculation, trouble getting an erection, lower sex drive, or trouble reaching orgasm for women)
- •Feeling tired, fever
- •Weight gain or weight loss
- •Hives, skin rash, itching
- •Teeth grinding
- •Panic attacks, confusion
- •Changes in taste, fainting
- •Dilated pupils, vision problems, ringing in the ears
- •Hair loss
- •Heavy or irregular periods
- •Fast heartbeat
- •Swelling in arms or legs
- •Nosebleeds
RARE
- •Unusual bleeding, including from the stomach or intestines.
- •Severe allergic reaction (swelling of face, tongue, or throat, hives, trouble breathing or swallowing).
- •Serotonin syndrome (high fever, agitation, confusion, shaking, sudden muscle twitches).
- •Aggression, feeling detached from yourself (depersonalisation), seeing or hearing things that aren't there (hallucinations).
- •Slow heartbeat.
- •Trouble urinating.
- •Seizures.
- •Yellow skin or eyes (signs of liver problems or inflammation).
- •Very fast, irregular heartbeat or fainting (can be a sign of a life-threatening condition called Torsade de Pointes).
- •Thoughts of harming yourself or suicide.
- •Sudden swelling of skin or mucous membranes (angioedema).
- •Low sodium in the blood (symptoms include feeling sick, muscle weakness, and confusion).
- •Dizziness when standing up due to low blood pressure.
- •Abnormal liver test results (high liver enzyme values in blood tests).
- •Involuntary muscle movements (movement disorders).
- •Painful, long-lasting erection (priapism).
- •Bleeding disorders, including bruises on skin or mucous membranes.
- •Increased secretion of ADH hormone (fluid retention, diluted blood, low sodium).
- •Milk production in non-breastfeeding women and men.
- •Mania (extreme excitement, overactivity, unusual ideas).
- •Changes in heart rhythm (prolonged QT interval visible on ECG).
- •Heavy vaginal bleeding soon after childbirth.
- •Restlessness (akathisia).
- •Loss of appetite.
- •Increased risk of bone fractures.
Important Warnings
- Do not take if you are allergic to escitalopram or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Do not take if you are using other medicines called MAO inhibitors (e.g., selegiline, moclobemide, linezolid).
- Tell your doctor if you have an abnormal heart rhythm or are taking medicines that affect your heart rhythm.
- If you have epilepsy, tell your doctor; treatment should stop if seizures start or worsen.
- Inform your doctor about liver or kidney problems, as your dose may need to be adjusted.
Show 10 more warnings
- If you have diabetes, Escitalopram Sandoz can affect your blood sugar levels.
- Tell your doctor if your blood sodium levels are low or if you bleed or bruise easily.
- If you are receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), discuss this with your doctor.
- Tell your doctor if you have heart problems, such as coronary artery disease, a recent heart attack, a slow heart rate, or irregular heartbeat, especially if you feel dizzy when standing up.
- If you have or have had eye problems like glaucoma (high pressure in the eye), tell your doctor.
- If you experience unusual thoughts, extreme happiness, or high energy, contact your doctor as this could be a manic episode in bipolar disorder.
- If you feel restless or have trouble sitting or standing still, tell your doctor right away.
- If you have thoughts of harming yourself or suicide, seek immediate medical help.
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to have a baby, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.