Depralex 20 mg - 28 tablets

What is Escitalopram and its indications for use: Escitalopram belongs to a group of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs work on the serotonin system in the brain by increasing the level of serotonin. Disorders in the serotonin system are considered an important factor in the development of depression and related diseases. Escitalopram is used to treat depression (major depressive episodes) and anxiety disorders (such as panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder). It may take two weeks before you start feeling improvement. Continue taking Escitalopram, even if it takes some time before you feel any improvement in your condition. You should talk to the doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse. What you need to know before using Escitalopram: Do not use Escitalopram if you have an allergy to Escitalopram or any other ingredients in this medicine. If you were born or experienced an abnormal seizure in the heartbeats (shown in an electrocardiogram; a test to assess how the heart works). Precautions and warnings: You should tell your doctor the following: If you have epilepsy. Treatment with Escitalopram should be stopped if seizures occur at the same time or if there is an increase in seizure frequency. If you have liver or kidney dysfunction. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose. If you have diabetes. Treatment with Escitalopram may alter blood sugar control. Dose adjustments of insulin and/or oral hypoglycemic agents may be necessary. If you have low sodium levels in the blood. If you have a tendency to bleed or bruise easily. If you are receiving electroconvulsive therapy. If you have coronary heart disease. If you have or have had heart problems or recently had a heart attack. If you have a low resting heart rate and/or you know you may suffer from salt depletion due to severe diarrhea and prolonged vomiting (illness) or use of diuretics (water pills). If you experience rapid or irregular heartbeat, fainting, collapse, or dizziness when standing, which may indicate abnormal heart rate. If you have or have had eye problems, such as certain types of glaucoma (increased eye pressure). Other medications and Escitalopram: Tell your doctor about the medications you are taking, especially if you are taking: "Non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)", which contain phenelzine, isocarboxazid, nialamide, and tranylcypromine as active ingredients. If you have taken any of these medicines, you will need to wait 14 days before starting Escitalopram. After stopping Escitalopram, you should wait 7 days before taking any of these medications. "Reversible MAO-A inhibitors", which contain moclobemide (used to treat depression). "Irreversible MAO-B inhibitors", which contain selegiline (used to treat Parkinson's disease). These increase the risk of side effects. The antibiotic linezolid. Lithium (used to treat bipolar disorder) and tryptophan. Imipramine and desipramine (both used to treat depression). Sumatriptan and similar drugs (used to treat migraines) and tramadol (used for severe pain). These increase the risk of side effects. Cimetidine, lansoprazole, and omeprazole (used to treat stomach ulcers), fluconazole (used to treat fungal infections), fluvoxamine (antidepressant), ticlodipine (used to reduce stroke risk). These may cause increased blood levels of Escitalopram. St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) - herbal remedy used to treat depression. Acetylsalicylic acid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (used to relieve pain or thin the blood, called anticoagulants) may increase bleeding tendency. Warfarin, dipyridamole, and phenprocoumon (used to thin the blood, also called anticoagulants). Your doctor may check your blood clotting time when starting and stopping Escitalopram to ensure your anticoagulant dose remains sufficient. Mefloquine (used to treat malaria), bupropion (used to treat depression), and tramadol (used for severe pain) due to the potential risk of seizures. Antipsychotics (used to treat schizophrenia and psychosis) and antidepressants (tricyclic antidepressants and SSRIs) due to the potential risk of seizures. Fluphenazine, probenecid, imipramine, nortriptyline (antidepressants), risperidone, thioridazine, and haloperidol (antipsychotics). Dose adjustment of Escitalopram may be necessary. Drugs that reduce potassium or magnesium levels in the blood, as these conditions increase the risk of life-threatening arrhythmias. Children and adolescents: Escitalopram should not usually be used in children and adolescents under 18 years of age. How to use Escitalopram: Always take Escitalopram exactly as your doctor has told you. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. The recommended usual dose of Escitalopram is 10 mg taken once daily. Your doctor may increase the dose to a maximum of 20 mg per day. Panic disorder: Starting dose of Escitalopram is 5 mg once daily for the first week before increasing to 10 mg per day. Your doctor may increase the dose to a maximum of 20 mg per day. Social anxiety disorder: The usual recommended dose of Escitalopram is 10 mg once daily. Your doctor may reduce your dose to 5 mg per day or increase it to 20 mg maximum daily, depending on how you respond to the medication. Generalized anxiety disorder: The usual recommended dose of Escitalopram is 10 mg once daily. Your doctor may increase the dose to a maximum of 20 mg per day. Obsessive-compulsive disorder: The usual recommended dose of Escitalopram is 10 mg once daily. Your doctor may increase the dose to a maximum of 20 mg per day. Elderly patients (over 65 years): Starting dose of Escitalopram is 5 mg once daily. Your doctor may increase the dose to 10 mg per day. Use in children and adolescents: Escitalopram should not usually be given to children and adolescents. How to take the tablets: You can take Escitalopram with or without food. Swallow the tablet with some water. Do not chew it, as it tastes bitter. If necessary, you can split the tablets by placing the tablet on a flat surface with the scored side up. Then break the tablets by pressing each end of the tablet with both thumbs. Possible side effects: Stop using the product and seek immediate medical care if you experience swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, which may cause difficulty breathing or swallowing. How to store Escitalopram: Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children. Do not use Escitalopram after the expiration date printed on the label or carton after EXP. The expiration date refers to the last day of that month. This medicine does not require special storage conditions. Do not dispose of any medicine in wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of any medicines you no longer use. These measures help protect the environment.