Posted by galkeepinon on September 22, 2003, at 1:21:05
In reply to escitalopram, posted by lil' jimi on September 21, 2003, at 20:18:54
Hey jim :-) took the weekend off so to speak~not feeling too well. I hope you're doing great!!!!
Anyway......in answer to your questions from my perspective/stance,>>>>>anybody's presciber mention even half of these? Actually I did some research about the med before I went on it, BUT I was sooooo depressed that I was willing to give another SSRI a shot Ha!!! Glad I did:-)
>>>>>anyone get any of this lowdown from their pharmacist? My pharmacist was very unhelpful, thank God my pdoc had started me on Lex and gave me the 2 month samples. She was way more knowledgeable on Lex than my pharmacist was!!When I went and got the script filled, the pharmacist basically said here ya go..
Boy, aren't you grateful we have a brain to think with and computers to do research on ;)
LOL
Have A Great Week jim:-)> hello everyone,
>
> here are some of the basics about lexapro we can get from online ... ... of particular interest, we have the list of side effects ...
>
> anybody's presciber mention even half of these?
> anyone get any of this lowdown from their pharmacist ?
>
> have a good week,
> ~ jim
>
> this is from http://www.medicinenet.com/escitalopram/article.htm
>
> GENERIC NAME: escitalopram
>
> BRAND NAME: Lexapro
> DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Escitalopram is an oral drug that is used for treating depression. It is an antidepressant. It works by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain, the chemical messengers that nerves use to communicate with one another. Neurotransmitters are made and released by nerves and then travel to other nearby nerves where they attach to receptors on the nerves. Some neurotransmitters that are released do not bind to receptors and are taken up by the nerves that produced them. This is referred to as "reuptake."
>
> Many experts believe that an imbalance of neurotransmitters is the cause of depression. Escitalopram prevents the reuptake of one neurotransmitter, serotonin, by nerves, an action which results in more serotonin in the brain to attach to receptors. Chemically, escitalopram is very similar to citalopram. Both are in the class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class that also includes fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft).
>
> PRESCRIPTION: Yes
>
> GENERIC AVAILABLE: No
>
> PREPARATIONS: White to off-white, round tablets of 5, 10, and 20 mg.
>
> STORAGE: Escitalopram tablets should be stored at controlled room temperature, 59-86°F (15-30°C.)
>
> PRESCRIBED FOR: Escitalopram is used to treat depression. Drugs in the SSRI class also have been studied in persons with obsessive-compulsive disorders, general anxiety disorders, and panic disorders.
>
> DOSING: The usual starting dose of escitalopram is 10 mg once daily. Benefit may not be seen until treatment has been given for up to 4 weeks. Escitalopram can be taken with or without food. Older and younger persons require similar doses.
>
> DRUG INTERACTIONS: All SSRIs, including escitalopram, should not be taken together with any drugs of the MAO (mono-amine oxidase) inhibitor-class of antidepressants, for example, isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and procarbazine (Matulane). Such combinations may lead to confusion, high blood pressure, high fevers, tremor or muscle rigidity, and increased activity. This same type of interaction also may occur with selegiline (Eldepryl), fenfluramine (Pondimin), and dexfenfluramine (Redux). Tryptophan can cause headaches, nausea, sweating, and dizziness when taken with any SSRI. At least 14 days should elapse after discontinuing escitalopram before starting a MAO inhibitor.
>
> PREGNANCY: The safety of escitalopram during pregnancy and lactation has not been established. Therefore, escitalopram should not be used during pregnancy unless, in the opinion of the physician, the expected benefits to the patient outweigh the possible hazards to the fetus.
>
> NURSING MOTHERS: Escitalopram is excreted in human milk. Escitalopram should not be given to nursing mothers unless, in the opinion of the physician, the expected benefits to the patient outweigh the possible hazards to the child.
>
> SIDE EFFECTS: The most commonly-noted side effects associated with escitalopram are agitation or restlessness, blurred vision, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, drowsiness, dry mouth, fever, frequent urination, headache, indigestion, nausea, increased or decreased appetite, increased sweating, sexual difficulties (decreased sexual ability or desire, ejaculatory delay), taste alterations, tremor (shaking), weight changes. Although changes in sexual desire, sexual performance and sexual satisfaction often occur as a result of depression itself, they also may be a consequence of the drugs used to treat depression. In particular, about one in 11 men given escitalopram report difficulties experiencing ejaculation.
>
> Some patients may experience withdrawal reactions upon stopping SSRI therapy. Symptoms may include dizziness, tingling, tiredness, vivid dreams, irritability, or poor mood. In order to avoid these symptoms, the dose of SSRI can be slowly reduced instead of abruptly stopped.
>
poster:galkeepinon
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030917/msgs/262334.html