SHESTO 10

Escitalopram is an antidepressant that belongs to a class of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It alters brain chemicals that may be out of balance in those suffering from sadness or anxiety.

Escitalopram is prescribed to adults and adolescents over the age of 12 to treat major depressive disorder.

The use of escitalopram in conjunction with reversible MAO-A inhibitors (e.g., moclobemide) or the reversible non-selective MAO-inhibitor linezolid is not recommended owing to the risk of developing a serotonin syndrome.

usual Adult Dose for Generalized Anxiety Disorder:

Initial dose: 10 mg orally once day; increase to 20 mg once daily if necessary after at least one week of therapy.

Comment: Treatment should be evaluated on a regular basis to determine the need for continuous treatment; effectiveness beyond 8 weeks has not been well researched.

Use: Acute treatment of generalized anxiety disorder

Serious responses have been recorded in individuals receiving an SSRI in conjunction with a non-selective, irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), as well as in patients who have recently stopped using an SSRI and have begun taking an MAOI (see section 4.3). Serotonin syndrome developed in certain patients (see section 4.8).

Escitalopram should not be used with non-selective, irreversible MAOIs. Escitalopram can be begun 14 days after you stop taking an irreversible MAOI. Before beginning a non-selective, irreversible MAOI, at least 7 days should elapse after quitting escitalopram medication.