Escitalopram is generally used in treatment of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobia and post traumatic stress disorder
Consume this medicine in the dosage and duration as per your doctors advise. While taking Escitalopram, swallow it completely without crushing, breaking or chewing it. Escitalopram is advised to be taken at a fixed time, but may be taken together with food (or) without food.
Escitalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant. It makes the condition better by increasing the levels of serotonin, a chemical messenger in the brain. This improves mood and physical symptoms in depression and relieves symptoms e disorders.
Q. How does Escitalopram work?
The working mechanism of Escitalopram is to increases the levels of Serotonin, a neurotransmitter. This neurotransmitter is responsible for the improvision of mood and depression. Serotonin also relieves the symptoms of obsessive disorder and panic.
Q. Can I take Escitalopram with coffee?
There have been no effects noted on taking coffee with Escitalopram. High caffeine consumption may cause anxiety and restlessness.
Q. Is Escitalopram addictive?
Escitalopram has no abuse liability and not addictive. This drug may cause withdrawal symptoms if abruptly discontinued. No drug-seeking behavior is noted for the drug.
Q. Why does Escitalopram cause nausea?
Escitalopram is said to increase the serotonin levels. A chemical which can trigger vomiting and makes a person nauseous.
Q. Why does Escitalopram make me tired?
This is because Escitalopram can modify the sleep quality and hence the person feels tired. Depression can also make a person feel tired.
Q. Can I use Escitalopram for a migraine?
Escitalopram is not approved for the treatment of a migraine. It is used in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorder, phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Q. Can I use Escitalopram for bipolar disorder?
Escitalopram strictly should not be used for bipolar disorder as it may aggravate the patient condition. This drug is can be used only under certain conditions, along with other drugs, provided depression is the cause of the person's bipolar disorder. In this case, the person should be very regular with the drugs prescribed.
Q. Does Escitalopram cause hair loss?
Escitalopram is noted to cause hair loss in some cases and the hair loss stops after the discontinuation of the drug. This hair loss can be annoying for females. Consult your doctor if your experience hair loss while using Escitalopram.
Q. Can I use Escitalopram for sleep problem?
Escitalopram may alter the sleep quality and is not recommended for sleep disorders.
Q. Can I use Escitalopram for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?
There are better alternatives available to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder and Escitalopram can be used if other drugs do not work for the patient.
Q. Which is better medication, Escitalopram or sertraline?
Escitalopram is the effective and safe drug to use. In the case, Escitalopram doesn't work for depression then Sertraline can be used. Sertraline is highly preferred for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Q. Which is better medication, Escitalopram or citalopram?
Both the drugs are said to be effective in treating major depression. Few recent studies have shown that Escitalopram is more effective in treating major depression than citalopram.
Q. Can I take Escitalopram with diphenhydramine?
Diphenhydramine can increase the side effects of Escitalopram and hence it is recommended to avoid diphenhydramine with Escitalopram. Some of the common side effects of Escitalopram are confusion, dizziness, and difficulty in concentrating
Q. Can I take Escitalopram with aspirin?
It is recommended to avoid Aspirin with Escitalopram as it may cause bleeding.
Q. Can I take Escitalopram with Ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen combined with Escitalopram can cause bleeding especially for those on a blood thinner drug. The first symptom noticed is nasal bleeding.
Q. Can I take Escitalopram with methylphenidate?
Escitalopram should not be taken with methylphenidate as it causes a rare and serious condition called serotonin syndrome. The symptoms include extreme changes in heart rate, incoordination, nausea, vomiting, blood pressure, restlessness, and diarrhea.
Q. Can Escitalopram be given with lisdexamfetamine?
The consumption of Escitalopram and lisdexamfetamine together should be avoided as it causes restlessness, anxiety and serotonin syndrome. The common symptoms of serotonin syndrome are changes in blood pressure levels, seizure, vomiting, and diarrhea. All these symptoms can sometimes be life-threatening.
Q. Can I take Escitalopram with alprazolam?
It is not recommended to take Escitalopram with alprazolam as it causes confusion, dizziness, and difficulty in concentrating. Do consult your doctor before consuming these drugs together.
Q. Can I take Escitalopram with clonazepam?
It is not recommended to take Escitalopram with alprazolam as it causes confusion, dizziness, and difficulty in concentrating. Do consult your doctor before consuming these drugs together.
Q. Can Escitalopram be used with hydrocodone?
It is not recommended to take Escitalopram with alprazolam as it causes confusion, dizziness, and difficulty in concentrating. Do consult your doctor before consuming these drugs together.
Q. Can I take Escitalopram with dextromethorphan?
It is not recommended to take Escitalopram with Dextromethorphan as it causes serotonin syndrome. Do consult your doctor before consuming these drugs together.
Q. Can I take Escitalopram and paracetamol?
You can take Escitalopram and paracetamol together and there are no known interactions.
Q. How does Escitalopram differ from fluoxetine?
Escitalopram and fluoxetine are related to the same class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).
Q. How doses Escitalopram differ from amitriptyline?
Escitalopram belong to a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and amitryptiline belongs to the class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants (TCA). Both the drugs are used to treat depression and Escitalopram is said to have fewer side effects when compared to amitryptiline. Hence Escitalopram is preferred over amitryptiline.
Q. How does Escitalopram differ from imipramine?
Escitalopram is mostly preferred than imipramine as it is very safe. Yet, for those bet-wetting children, imipramine is prescribed.
Q. What would happen if I stop taking Escitalopram?
You may undergo withdrawal symptoms which can be in the form of flu like symptoms, nausea or sleep problems, anxiety, suicidal thoughts. These signs normally last for one to two weeks. Do not stop taking this medicine without getting advice from your physician.
Q. When and How to stop Escitalopram?
It is highly recommended to consult with your doctor before stopping Escitalopram. To prevent intense withdrawal symptoms the dose should be reduced slowly. Follow your doctor's instruction strictly.
Q. Is Escitalopram a benzodiazepine?
Escitalopram belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and is not a benzodiazepine.
Q. Is Escitalopram a narcotic?
Escitalopram is definitely not a narcotic drug. Narcotics are usually derivatives of Opium like Morphine & Heroin and they have sleep-inducing properties.