Escitalopram Oral
In Depth
- Uses and How to Use
- Dosage and Storage
- Precautions and Side Effects
- Drug Interactions
- Drug Images
Pronounced: (es-sye-TAL-oh-pram)
Escitalopram Oral Interactions
Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Taking certain medications with this product could result in serious (rarely fatal) drug interactions. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine) with escitalopram for 2 weeks before treatment, during treatment, or for 2 weeks after your last dose of escitalopram.
This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur:
- pimozide
- tryptophan
- weight loss drugs (e.g., sibutramine, phentermine)
If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting escitalopram.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of:
- desipramine
- metoprolol
- "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide)
- drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (e.g., aspirin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, "blood thinners" such as heparin/warfarin)
Aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding when used with this medication (see above). If your doctor has directed you to take low-dose aspirin for heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams a day), you should continue taking it unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Also tell your doctor if you take any other drugs that increase serotonin, such as buspirone, dextromethorphan, lithium, meperidine, propoxyphene, phentermine, other SSRIs (e.g., paroxetine), SNRIs (e.g., duloxetine), tryptophan, St. John's wort, drugs used to treat migraines such as "triptans" and dihydroergotamine, street drugs such as MDMA/"ecstasy," amphetamine. (See also Side Effects section.)
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