What does it do?

Escitalopram is used to treat depression, and sometimes other conditions.

Before you start

• Tell your doctor if you have bleeding problems, bipolar disorder, or if you have ever had a seizure.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• Your doctor may do a heart test (ECG) before you start and while you are taking escitalopram.

How should you take it?

Take escitalopram regularly as directed with a glass of water. You can take it with or without food.

What if you forget a dose?

If it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Can you take other medicines?

Some medicines available without a prescription may react with escitalopram including:

• anti-inflammatories, such as diclofenac (e.g. Voltaren®), ibuprofen (e.g. Nurofen®), or aspirin (e.g. Disprin®, in doses used for pain relief). These can also be found in some cold and flu medicines (e.g. Nurofen Cold and Flu®).
• low-dose aspirin (e.g. Cartia®)
• some migraine medicines, such as sumatriptan (e.g. Sumagran Active®)
• omeprazole (e.g. Losec®)

Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking, including vitamins, herbal products (e.g. St John's wort) or recreational drugs (e.g. ecstasy).

What side effects might you notice?

Side Effects	Recommended action
Suicidal thoughts Fainting Muscle twitching or shaking you can’t control, confusion, heavy sweating, fever Seizures	Tell your doctor immediately
Anxiety, restlessness Easy or unusual bruising or bleeding	Tell your doctor
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, dry mouth Drowsiness, trouble sleeping, tiredness or weakness, yawning Dizziness, headache, sweating Less interest in, or trouble having sex	Tell your doctor if troublesome

If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other information:

• Escitalopram can impair your ability to do tasks such as driving or using machines. Alcohol makes this worse. Discuss your risk with your health professional. (search NZTA - Are you safe to drive?)
• It may take a few weeks for escitalopram to start working.
• Do not stop taking escitalopram without talking to your doctor first.