Home
Individuals and Families
Health and Wellness
Wellness Library
escitalopram

escitalopram

Pronunciation: EE sye TAL o pram

Brand: Lexapro

Escitalopram Oxalate

slide 1 of 23, Escitalopram Oxalate,

5 mg, round, white, imprinted with 5850, 5

Image of Escitalopram Oxalate
slide 1 of 23

Escitalopram Oxalate

slide 2 of 23, Escitalopram Oxalate,

10 mg, round, white, imprinted with 5851, logo 10

Image of Escitalopram Oxalate
slide 2 of 23

Escitalopram Oxalate

slide 3 of 23, Escitalopram Oxalate,

20 mg, round, white, imprinted with 5852, logo 20

Image of Escitalopram Oxalate
slide 3 of 23

Escitalopram Oxalate

slide 4 of 23, Escitalopram Oxalate,

5 mg, round, white, imprinted with M, EC5

Image of Escitalopram Oxalate
slide 4 of 23

Escitalopram Oxalate

slide 5 of 23, Escitalopram Oxalate,

10 mg, round, white, imprinted with M, EC 10

Image of Escitalopram Oxalate
slide 5 of 23

Escitalopram Oxalate

slide 6 of 23, Escitalopram Oxalate,

20 mg, round, white, imprinted with M, EC 20

Image of Escitalopram Oxalate
slide 6 of 23

Lexapro

slide 7 of 23, Lexapro,

5 mg, round, white, imprinted with FL, 5

Image of Lexapro
slide 7 of 23

Lexapro

slide 8 of 23, Lexapro,

10 mg, round, white, imprinted with F L, 10

Image of Lexapro
slide 8 of 23

Lexapro

slide 9 of 23, Lexapro,

20 mg, round, white, imprinted with F L, 20

Image of Lexapro
slide 9 of 23

Escitalopram Oxalate

slide 10 of 23, Escitalopram Oxalate,

10 mg, round, white, imprinted with 11 36, 10

Image of Escitalopram Oxalate
slide 10 of 23

Escitalopram Oxalate

slide 11 of 23, Escitalopram Oxalate,

5 mg, round, white, imprinted with 5

Image of Escitalopram Oxalate
slide 11 of 23

Escitalopram Oxalate

slide 12 of 23, Escitalopram Oxalate,

20 mg, round, white, imprinted with 20

Image of Escitalopram Oxalate
slide 12 of 23

Escitalopram Oxalate

slide 13 of 23, Escitalopram Oxalate,

10 mg, round, white, imprinted with 250, I G

Image of Escitalopram Oxalate
slide 13 of 23

Escitalopram Oxalate

slide 14 of 23, Escitalopram Oxalate,

20 mg, round, white, imprinted with I G, 251

Image of Escitalopram Oxalate
slide 14 of 23

Escitalopram Oxalate

slide 15 of 23, Escitalopram Oxalate,

5 mg, round, white, imprinted with F, 53

Image of Escitalopram Oxalate
slide 15 of 23

Escitalopram Oxalate

slide 16 of 23, Escitalopram Oxalate,

10 mg, oval, white, imprinted with F, 54

Image of Escitalopram Oxalate
slide 16 of 23

Escitalopram Oxalate

slide 17 of 23, Escitalopram Oxalate,

5 mg, round, white, imprinted with IG, 249

Image of Escitalopram Oxalate
slide 17 of 23

Escitalopram Oxalate

slide 18 of 23, Escitalopram Oxalate,

10 mg, round, white, imprinted with I G, 250

Image of Escitalopram Oxalate
slide 18 of 23

Escitalopram Oxalate

slide 19 of 23, Escitalopram Oxalate,

20 mg, round, white, imprinted with I G, 251

Image of Escitalopram Oxalate
slide 19 of 23

Escitalopram Oxalate

slide 20 of 23, Escitalopram Oxalate,

5 mg, round, white, imprinted with B2, C

Image of Escitalopram Oxalate
slide 20 of 23

Lexapro

slide 21 of 23, Lexapro,

10 mg, round, white, imprinted with F L, 10

Image of Lexapro
slide 21 of 23

Lexapro

slide 22 of 23, Lexapro,

20 mg, round, white, imprinted with F L, 20

Image of Lexapro
slide 22 of 23

Lexapro

slide 23 of 23, Lexapro,

5 mg, round, white, imprinted with FL, 5

Image of Lexapro
slide 23 of 23

What is the most important information I should know about escitalopram?

You should not use this medicine you also take pimozide or citalopram (Celexa).

Do not use escitalopram within 14 days before or 14 days after you have used an MAO inhibitor, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

What is escitalopram?

Escitalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor SSRI antidepressant.

Escitalopram is used to treat major depressive disorder in adults and adolescents at least 12 years old.

Escitalopram is also used to treat anxiety in adults.

Escitalopram may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking escitalopram?

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to escitalopram or citalopram (Celexa), or if:

  • you also take pimozide or citalopram.

Do not use escitalopram within 14 days before or 14 days after you have used an MAO inhibitor. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

Be sure your doctor knows if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. These medicines may interact with escitalopram and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • liver or kidney disease;
  • seizures;
  • low levels of sodium in your blood;
  • heart disease, high blood pressure;
  • a stroke;
  • bleeding problems;
  • bipolar disorder (manic depression); or
  • drug addiction or suicidal thoughts.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Escitalopram is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.

Ask your doctor about taking this medicine if you are pregnant. Taking an SSRI antidepressant during late pregnancy may cause serious medical complications in the baby. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Do not start or stop taking this medicine without your doctor's advice.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of escitalopram on the baby.

If you are breastfeeding, tell your doctor if you notice drowsiness, agitation, feeding problems, or poor weight gain in the nursing baby.

How should I take escitalopram?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take the medicine at the same time each day, with or without food.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

It may take up to 4 weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.

Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. A child taking escitalopram should be checked for height and weight gain.

Do not stop using escitalopram suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking escitalopram?

Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others. Using an NSAID with escitalopram may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

Avoid alcohol.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

What are the possible side effects of escitalopram?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
  • racing thoughts, unusual risk-taking behavior, feelings of extreme happiness or sadness;
  • pain or burning when you urinate;
  • (in a child taking escitalopram) slow growth or weight gain;
  • low levels of sodium in the body --headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady; or
  • severe nervous system reaction --very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Common side effects may include:

  • painful urination;
  • dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, weakness;
  • feeling anxious or agitated;
  • increased muscle movements, feeling shaky;
  • sleep problems (insomnia);
  • sweating, dry mouth, increased thirst, loss of appetite;
  • nausea, constipation;
  • yawning;
  • nosebleed, heavy menstrual periods; or
  • decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect escitalopram?

Using escitalopram with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines, especially a blood thinner such as warfarin, Coumadin, or Jantoven.

Many drugs can affect escitalopram, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about escitalopram.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

© 2019 Cigna. All rights reserved
Language Assistance

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Group Universal Life (GUL) insurance plans are insured by CGLIC. Life (other than GUL), accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and disability plans are insured or administered by Life Insurance Company of North America, except in NY, where insured plans are offered by Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York (New York, NY). All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

 Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details