Escitalopram
Escitalopram
- In our pharmacy, you can buy Escitalopram without a prescription, with delivery in 5-14 days throughout the United Kingdom. Discreet and anonymous packaging.
- Escitalopram treats depression, anxiety disorders (like GAD and panic disorder), and OCD by inhibiting serotonin reuptake—a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that enhances mood-regulating neurotransmitters.
- The usual dose is 10 mg once daily initially, increasing to a maximum of 20 mg/day after at least 1 week based on individual response and tolerability.
- Film-coated tablets, orally disintegrating tablets (ODT), or oral drops/solution are administered orally with or without food.
- Therapeutic effects typically begin within 2-4 weeks, though some symptom relief may occur sooner.
- Due to its 27-32-hour half-life, effects last continuously with daily dosing; treatment duration spans ≥6 months for depression and longer for chronic anxiety.
- Avoid alcohol, as it heightens drowsiness and dizziness, worsening side effects like fatigue or impaired coordination.
- Most common side effects include nausea, headache, dry mouth, dizziness, insomnia, sweating, and fatigue—often mild and transient.
- Would you like to try Escitalopram without a prescription and experience its proven relief for mood and anxiety disorders?
Basic Escitalopram Information
| Information Type | Details |
|---|---|
| INN (International Nonproprietary Name) | Escitalopram |
| UK Brand Names | Cipralex, Lexapro |
| ATC Code | N06AB10 |
| Available Forms | Tablets (5mg/10mg/15mg/20mg), oral drops (20mg/mL), orally disintegrating tablets |
| Major UK Manufacturers | Lundbeck, Teva, Aurobindo |
| UK Regulatory Status | Prescription-only medicine (POM) |
Escitalopram is a widely used antidepressant available in the UK under brand names like Cipralex and Lexapro, alongside generic equivalents. These medications come in various forms including standard tablets, oral drops for flexible dosing, and orally disintegrating options for easier administration. Regulated as prescription-only antidepressants across Britain, they're manufactured by pharmaceutical companies including Lundbeck - the original developer - and generic suppliers like Teva. All versions comply with UK and EU regulatory standards for antidepressant medications.
Pharmacology of Escitalopram
Escitalopram belongs to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of antidepressants. It functions by blocking serotonin reuptake transporters in the brain, increasing serotonin availability in synaptic spaces. This neurotransmitter plays crucial roles in mood regulation and emotional processing.
After oral administration, escitalopram reaches peak concentrations within 3-4 hours. The liver metabolizes it primarily through CYP450 enzymes (CYP2C19, CYP3A4, CYP2D6), creating a half-life of 27-33 hours - enabling once-daily dosing. Significant interactions can occur with:
- MAO inhibitors: Risk of serotonin syndrome requiring 14-day washout period
- NSAIDs: Increased bleeding potential
- Grapefruit juice: May inhibit metabolism
- Alcohol: Exacerbates drowsiness and cognitive effects
Healthcare professionals recommend avoiding alcohol completely during treatment and consulting about other medications before starting therapy.
Medical Uses Across Conditions
In the UK, escitalopram holds approved indications for multiple mental health conditions regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). These include major depressive disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Clinical evidence demonstrates effectiveness for emotional symptoms like persistent sadness, excessive worry, and panic attacks.
Some prescribers use escitalopram off-label for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and menopausal hot flashes, though NICE guidelines emphasise cautious application in these areas due to limited evidence.
Special population considerations:
- Children/adolescents: Only approved for severe depression age 12+ starting at 5mg
- Elderly patients: Initiate at 5mg/day due to increased fall/blood clot risk
- Pregnancy: Generally avoided due to potential neonatal complications if taken during third trimester
Escitalopram Dosing Guidelines
| Condition | Starting Dose | Maximum Daily Dose |
|---|---|---|
| Major Depressive Disorder | 10mg once daily | 20mg |
| Generalised Anxiety Disorder | 10mg once daily | 20mg |
| Panic Disorder | 5mg once daily | 20mg |
Dosing adjustments are essential for specific patient groups. Those with moderate-to-severe liver impairment shouldn't exceed daily doses of 10mg, while patients with kidney conditions require careful monitoring for renal impairment symptoms. The NHS advises consistent timing whether taken morning or evening.
Critical usage instructions:
- Missed doses: Skip if approaching next scheduled dose; never take two doses together
- Duration: Continue therapy for ≥6 months after symptom improvement
- Discontinuation: Gradually reduce under medical supervision to avoid withdrawal
- Storage: Maintain tablets at room temperature (15-30°C) protected from humidity
Patients experiencing vomiting within 5 minutes of dosing should repeat treatment, per NHS guidance; when uncertain, wait until the next scheduled administration timing.
Safety and Important Warnings for Escitalopram
Understanding safety considerations is crucial before starting Escitalopram treatment. Certain health conditions and medications conflict directly with this SSRI antidepressant. Combining Escitalopram with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) creates dangerous interactions and represents an absolute contraindication. Similarly, it must be avoided if you've experienced allergic reactions to other SSRIs like citalopram, fluoxetine or sertraline. Those with existing heart rhythm issues, particularly prolonged QT interval, also fall into high-risk categories requiring alternative treatments due to potential arrhythmia risks.
Common Medication Side Effects
Most individuals tolerate Escitalopram well though some temporary side effects typically appear during initial weeks. Frequently reported reactions include headache intensity variations, digestive discomfort like nausea or diarrhoea, dry mouth sensations and increased sweating regardless of ambient temperature. Sleep pattern alterations such as insomnia or vivid dreams affect many patients while daytime drowsiness impacts approximately one in ten users alongside sexual difficulties like reduced libido or delayed orgasm that may persist throughout treatment.
Serious Adverse Reactions Requiring Immediate Help
Though uncommon, certain Escitalopram side effects demand urgent medical intervention. Signs of serotonin toxicity - fever combined with muscle rigidity, tremors alongside unusual agitation, confusion or hallucinations - signal this rare dangerous condition requiring ER presentation. Increased risk of abnormal bleeding manifests especially in users taking other blood-thinning medications with warning signs involving unexplained bruising or prolonged nosebleeds. Crucially, mood deterioration characterized by intensified depression, emerging suicidal thoughts particularly affecting under-25s, requires immediate GP consultation.
Specific Population Precautions for Escitalopram
Special precautions apply for distinct patient groups considering Escitalopram treatment. During pregnancy, its prescription involves careful risk-benefit discussion as medication exposure potentially causes neonatal adaptation difficulties like respiratory distress or constant crying requiring specialist neonatal oversight post-delivery. For breastfeeding mothers, minimal medication transfer occurs yet paediatrician advice remains recommended. Dose adjustments prove necessary with liver impairment while kidney dysfunction requires enhanced symptom monitoring.
Always disclose supplements including popular herbal remedies like St John's Wort that dangerously impact serotonin alongside NSAID pain relievers affecting bleeding vulnerability. Scheduled therapy reviews assess efficacy and tolerance while abrupt discontinuation should be avoided entirely - structured tapering plans prevent debilitating withdrawal symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions about Escitalopram
Q: Can I stop taking Escitalopram as soon as my symptoms disappear?
No, SSRIs like escitalopram require 6+ months continuation after symptom improvement. Stopping too soon risks relapse.
Q: Does coffee interact with escitalopram?
While no direct drug interaction exists, caffeine may worsen anxiety and jitteriness during early treatment stages.
Q: What should I do if I vomit shortly after taking escitalopram?
If vomiting occurs within 5 minutes, retake the dose. Otherwise, skip and resume at the next scheduled time.
Q: Why is Cipralex more expensive than generic equivalents?
Branded versions cost more despite identical active ingredients. Generic escitalopram offers significant prescription cost savings.
Q: Is escitalopram safe during breastfeeding?
Minimal amounts transfer to breastmilk. Consult your GP if concerned about infant exposure to antidepressants.
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