Escitalopram is used for:

Treating depression and anxiety. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Escitalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) type of antidepressant. It works by increasing the activity of a chemical in the brain called serotonin, which helps to elevate mood.

Do NOT use Escitalopram if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Escitalopram or to citalopram
• you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, phenelzine) in the last 14 days
• you are taking citalopram, linezolid, pimozide, selegiline, tramadol, or any weight loss medicines (eg, phentermine)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Escitalopram :

Some medical conditions may interact with Escitalopram. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have or have a history of a bipolar condition (mania or manic-depression) or suicidal thoughts or behaviors
• if you have or have a history of kidney or liver problems, a heart attack, seizures (convulsions), or stomach or intestinal bleeding

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Escitalopram. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Citalopram should not be taken with Escitalopram because they have the same chemical formula
• MAO inhibitors (eg, phenelzine), linezolid, or selegiline because they can cause serious, sometimes fatal, reactions, including restlessness, fever, excessive sweating, confusion, twitching, and seizures. Do NOT takeMAO inhibitors (eg, phenelzine), linezolid, or selegiline within 2 weeks of taking Escitalopram.
• Lithium, St. John's wort, tramadol, sumatriptan, orweight loss medicines (eg, phentermine because side effects such as restlessness, fever, excessive sweating, confusion, twitching, and seizures which can rarely be life-threatening, may occur
• Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol, metoprolol) because side effects such as very slow heart rate may be increased by Escitalopram
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs; eg, ibuprofen, celecoxib), oral anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), or salicylates (eg, aspirin) because the risk of stomach bleeding may be increased by Escitalopram
• Pimozide because side effects such as racing heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, life-threatening irregular heartbeat leading to unconsciousness and lack of heartbeat may increase by Escitalopram

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Escitalopram may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Escitalopram :

Use Escitalopram as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Escitalopram comes with an additional patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully and reread it each time you get Escitalopram refilled.
• Escitalopram may be taken with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
• Several weeks may pass before Escitalopram reaches full effect. Continue to use Escitalopram even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Escitalopram , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Escitalopram.

Important safety information:

• Escitalopram may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Escitalopram. Using Escitalopram alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other medications that cause drowsiness (eg, sedatives, tranquilizers) while taking Escitalopram. Escitalopram will add to the effects of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants.
• Antidepressants can increase suicidal thoughts and actions in some children and teenagers. This risk may be higher in individuals with bipolar illness (also called manic-depressive illness), a family history of bipolar illness, or a history of attempting suicide. Pay close attention to changes in moods or actions, especially if changes occur suddenly. Contact your doctor right away if any of the following effects occur or worsen: depression, anxiety, restlessness or irritability, panic attacks, thoughts or attempts of suicide, or other unusual changes in behavior or mood.
• Use Escitalopram with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Escitalopram is not recommended for use in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Escitalopram , especially during the third trimester. Escitalopram is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Escitalopram , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Do NOT suddenly stop taking Escitalopram without your doctor's approval. Stopping Escitalopram suddenly may cause serious WITHDRAWAL symptoms, including abnormal skin sensations, agitation, anxiety, a state of feeling unwell or unhappy, confusion, dizziness, headache, inability to sleep, irritability, lethargy, nausea, sudden emotional swings, and sweating. If therapy with Escitalopram is to be stopped, your doctor will gradually decrease your dose.

Possible side effects of Escitalopram :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Back pain; constipation; decreased sex drive; diarrhea; delay in ejaculation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; impotence; increased sweating; lack of orgasms; loss of appetite; nausea; trouble sleeping; unusual fatigue; upset stomach; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation; anxiety; black or tarry stools; changes in amount of urine; chest pain; hostility; impulsiveness; irritability; mania; muscle cramps; painful or prolonged erection; panic attacks; restlessness; seizures; sleeplessness; stomach pain; suicidal thoughts; thoughts of hurting yourself; uncontrolled movements (tremors); unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual or severe mental/mood changes; unusually fast or slow heartbeat; vision changes; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; worsening of depression.