Andepram 5 Tablet

Generic Name: Escitalopram

Strength: 5mg

Presentation: Tablets

Indications:

• Treatment of major depressive episodes.

• Treatment of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia.

• Treatment of social anxiety disorder (social phobia).

• Treatment of generalized anxiety disorder.

• Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Dosage and Administration:

• The usual dosage is 10 mg once daily.

• Depending on individual patient response, the dose may be increased to a maximum of 20 mg daily.

• For panic disorder, an initial dose of 5 mg is recommended for the first week before increasing to 10 mg daily. The dose may be further increased, up to a maximum of 20 mg daily.

• Elderly patients: An initial dose of 5 mg once daily is recommended, which may be increased to 10 mg daily depending on response.

• It can be taken with or without food.

Side Effects:

• Common:

  • Nausea

  • Insomnia

  • Ejaculation disorder (primarily ejaculatory delay)

  • Somnolence

  • Increased sweating

  • Fatigue

• Less Common:

  • Decreased libido

  • Anorgasmia

Precautions:

• May increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior, especially in adolescents and young adults.

• Use with caution in patients with a history of mania or seizure disorder.

• May cause dizziness and drowsiness; patients should be cautioned about driving or operating machinery until they know how the medication affects them.

• Use with caution in patients with severe renal impairment.

• Use with caution in patients with impaired hepatic function.

• Serotonin Syndrome: Potentially life-threatening condition.

• Increased risk of bleeding when used with NSAIDs, aspirin, or other drugs that affect coagulation.

Contraindications:

• Hypersensitivity to escitalopram or citalopram.

• Concomitant use with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

• Concomitant use with pimozide.

Use in Pregnancy & Lactation:

• Pregnancy: Use only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

• Lactation: Escitalopram is excreted in human milk. A decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or the drug, considering the importance of the drug to the mother.

Pediatric Use:

• Escitalopram is not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age.

Drug Interactions:

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): Increased risk of serotonin syndrome.

• Other serotonergic drugs (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs, triptans): May increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.

• Drugs that affect hemostasis (e.g., NSAIDs, aspirin, warfarin): Increased risk of bleeding.