Elicea

Escitalopram

Major depressive episodes.

Major depressive episodes 10 mg once daily, may be increased to max: 20 mg daily. Elderly >65 yr Initially 5 mg once daily, may be increased to 10 mg daily. Mild or moderate hepatic impairment, patient who are known to be poor CYP2C19 metabolisers Initially 5 mg daily for 1st 2 wk, may be increased to 10 mg daily.

May be taken with or without food.

Hypersensitivity. Concomitant use w/ non-selective, irreversible MAOIs, pimozide.

Discontinue use if serotonin syndrome or increased seizure frequency occurs. History of suicide-related events, suicidal ideation. Avoid use in patients w/ unstable epilepsy. History of mania/hypomania; diabetes; akathisia/psychomotor restlessness; known bleeding tendency. Avoid abrupt discontinuation. Not recommended in combination w/ MAOIs. Concomitant use w/ oral anticoagulant, drugs affecting platelet function eg, atypical antipsychotics & phenothiazines, TCAs, ASA, NSAIDs, ticlopidine, dipyridamole; drugs causing hyponatraemia; drugs w/ serotonergic effects eg, sumatriptan or other triptans, tramadol, tryptophan; St. John’s wort; electroconvulsive therapy. Galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption. May affect ability to drive & use machines. Cirrhotic patients. Severe renal impairment (CrCl <30 mL/min). Not to be used during pregnancy. Not recommended during lactation. Not to be used in childn & adolescents <18 yr. Elderly.

Nausea. Decreased/increased appetite, increased wt; anxiety, restlessness, abnormal dreams, decreased libido, anorgasmia; insomnia, somnolence, dizziness, paraesthesia, tremor; sinusitis, yawning; diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, dry mouth; increased sweating; arthralgia, myalgia; ejaculation disorder, male impotence; fatigue, pyrexia.

Serotonin syndrome w/ non-selective MAOIs, MAOI-A eg, moclobemide, MAOI-B eg, selegiline, serotonergic drugs eg, tramadol, sumatriptan & other triptans. Lowered seizure threshold w/ TCAs, SSRIs, neuroleptics (eg, phenothiazines, thioxanthenes, butyrophenones), mefloquine, bupropion, tramadol. Enhanced effects w/ lithium, tryptophan. Increased AR incidence w/ St. John’s wort. Altered anticoagulant effects w/ oral anticoagulants. Increased bleeding tendency w/ NSAIDs. Contraindicated w/ pimozide. Concomitant use w/ CYP2C19 inhibitors eg, omeprazole, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, lansoprazole, ticlopidine or cimetidine; flecainide, propafenone, metoprolol or drugs metabolized by CYP2D6 eg, antidepressants or antipsychotics; alcohol.

Antidepressants

N06AB10 - escitalopram ; Belongs to the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Used in the management of depression.

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