Lexapro/Escitalopram IS USED FOR:

Treating depression and anxiety. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Lexapro/Escitalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) type of antidepressant. It works by increasing the activity of a chemical in the brain called serotonin, which helps to elevate mood.

DO NOT USE Lexapro/Escitalopram IF:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Lexapro/Escitalopram or to Celexa/citalopram
• you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, phenelzine) in the last 14 days
• you are taking Celexa/citalopram, Zyvox/linezolid, pimozide, Eldepryl/selegiline, Ultram/tramadol, or any weight loss medicines (eg, phentermine)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF Lexapro/Escitalopram :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Back pain; constipation; decreased sex drive; diarrhea; delay in ejaculation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; impotence; increased sweating; lack of orgasms; loss of appetite; nausea; trouble sleeping; unusual fatigue; upset stomach; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation; anxiety; black or tarry stools; changes in amount of urine; chest pain; hostility; impulsiveness; irritability; mania; muscle cramps; painful or prolonged erection; panic attacks; restlessness; seizures; sleeplessness; stomach pain; suicidal thoughts; thoughts of hurting yourself; uncontrolled movements (tremors); unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual or severe mental/mood changes; unusually fast or slow heartbeat; vision changes; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; worsening of depression.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

• Lexapro/Escitalopram may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Lexapro/Escitalopram. Using Lexapro/Escitalopram alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Lexapro/Escitalopram is not recommended for use in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Lexapro/Escitalopram , especially during the third trimester. Lexapro/Escitalopram is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Lexapro/Escitalopram , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
• Use Lexapro/Escitalopram with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other medications that cause drowsiness (eg, sedatives, tranquilizers) while taking Lexapro/Escitalopram. Lexapro/Escitalopram will add to the effects of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants.
• Antidepressants can increase suicidal thoughts and actions in some children and teenagers. This risk may be higher in individuals with bipolar illness (also called manic-depressive illness), a family history of bipolar illness, or a history of attempting suicide. Pay close attention to changes in moods or actions, especially if changes occur suddenly. Contact your doctor right away if any of the following effects occur or worsen: depression, anxiety, restlessness or irritability, panic attacks, thoughts or attempts of suicide, or other unusual changes in behavior or mood.

Do NOT suddenly stop taking Lexapro/Escitalopram without your doctor's approval. Stopping Lexapro/Escitalopram suddenly may cause serious WITHDRAWAL symptoms, including abnormal skin sensations, agitation, anxiety, a state of feeling unwell or unhappy, confusion, dizziness, headache, inability to sleep, irritability, lethargy, nausea, sudden emotional swings, and sweating. If therapy with Lexapro/Escitalopram is to be stopped, your doctor will gradually decrease your dose.

BEFORE USING Lexapro/Escitalopram :

Some medical conditions may interact with Lexapro/Escitalopram. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you have or have a history of a bipolar condition (mania or manic-depression) or suicidal thoughts or behaviors
• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you have or have a history of kidney or liver problems, a heart attack, seizures (convulsions), or stomach or intestinal bleeding
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Lexapro/Escitalopram. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Celexa/Citalopram should not be taken with Lexapro/Escitalopram because they have the same chemical formula
• MAO inhibitors (eg, phenelzine), Zyvox/linezolid, or Eldepryl/selegiline because they can cause serious, sometimes fatal, reactions, including restlessness, fever, excessive sweating, confusion, twitching, and seizures. Do NOT takeMAO inhibitors (eg, phenelzine), Zyvox/linezolid, or Eldepryl/selegiline within 2 weeks of taking Lexapro/Escitalopram.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs; eg, Motrin/ibuprofen, Celebrex/celecoxib), oral anticoagulants (eg, Coumadin/warfarin), or salicylates (eg, aspirin) because the risk of stomach bleeding may be increased by Lexapro/Escitalopram
• Eskalith/Lithium, St. John's wort, Ultram/tramadol, Imitrex/sumatriptan, orweight loss medicines (eg, phentermine because side effects such as restlessness, fever, excessive sweating, confusion, twitching, and seizures which can rarely be life-threatening, may occur
• Beta-blockers (eg, Inderal/propranolol, Lopressor/metoprolol) because side effects such as very slow heart rate may be increased by Lexapro/Escitalopram
• Pimozide because side effects such as racing heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, life-threatening irregular heartbeat leading to unconsciousness and lack of heartbeat may increase by Lexapro/Escitalopram

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Lexapro/Escitalopram may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

HOW TO USE Lexapro/Escitalopram :

Use Lexapro/Escitalopram as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• If you miss a dose of Lexapro/Escitalopram , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
• Several weeks may pass before Lexapro/Escitalopram reaches full effect. Continue to use Lexapro/Escitalopram even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• Lexapro/Escitalopram comes with an additional patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully and reread it each time you get Lexapro/Escitalopram refilled.
• Lexapro/Escitalopram may be taken with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Lexapro/Escitalopram.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.