Lexapro 5 mg Tablet (Escitalopram Oxalate)

Adult dosage

Safety has not been established for doses exceeding 20mg per day. This drug is administered once daily in the morning or evening, with or without food. 1) Adults (1) Major depressive disorder: The usual dose is 10mg once daily. Depending on the patient's response, the dose may be increased to a maximum of 20mg per day. If increasing the dose of this drug to 20mg, the dose should be increased at intervals of at least 1 week. In general, antidepressant effects take 2-4 weeks to appear. Even after symptoms have resolved, drug treatment for at least 6 months is required to ensure the therapeutic effect. (2) Panic disorder with or without agoraphobia: It is recommended to administer an initial dose of 5mg per day for 1 week, then increase the dose to 10mg per day. Depending on the patient's response, the dose may be increased to a maximum of 20mg per day. The maximum effect appears after approximately 3 months. The safety and efficacy of long-term administration of this drug for more than 10 weeks in the treatment of panic disorder have not been systematically studied. The physician should periodically reevaluate each patient to determine the need for continued treatment. (3) Social anxiety disorder: The usual dose is 10mg once daily. In general, 2-4 weeks are needed for improvement in symptoms. Thereafter, depending on the patient's response, the dose may be reduced to 5mg per day or increased to a maximum of 20mg per day. Social anxiety disorder is a chronic condition, and continued treatment for 12 weeks is recommended to ensure the therapeutic effect. Long-term treatment in patients who responded was studied for 6 months and should be considered on an individual patient basis to prevent relapse. The usefulness of long-term treatment should be periodically reevaluated. Social anxiety disorder is a well-defined diagnostic term for a specific disorder and should not be confused with excessive shyness. Drug treatment should be used only when social anxiety disorder significantly interferes with occupational and social activities. Drug treatment has not been compared with cognitive behavioral therapy. Drug treatment is one part of an overall treatment strategy. (4) Generalized anxiety disorder: The initial dose is 10mg once daily. Depending on the patient's response, the dose may be increased to a maximum of 20mg per day after treatment for at least 1 week. A long-term study was conducted in patients who responded to 12 weeks of open-label treatment, with 20mg per day administered for at least 6 months. The physician should periodically reevaluate the usefulness of long-term treatment with this drug for each patient. (5) Obsessive-compulsive disorder: The usual dose is 10mg once daily. Depending on the patient's response, the dose may be increased to a maximum of 20mg per day. A long-term study was conducted in patients who responded to 16 weeks of open-label treatment, with 10mg or 20mg per day administered for at least 24 weeks. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a chronic condition, and treatment should be continued for a sufficient period to ensure recovery from symptoms. When this drug is used long term, its usefulness and dose should be periodically reevaluated for each patient. 2) Patients with renal impairment No dose adjustment is necessary in patients with mild or moderate renal impairment. Caution should be exercised in patients with severe renal impairment (CLCR < 30㎖/min). 3) Patients with hepatic impairment An initial dose of 5mg per day for the first 2 weeks is recommended. Depending on the patient's response, the dose may be increased to 10mg per day. 4) Discontinuation of treatment When discontinuing this drug, the dose should be gradually reduced over at least 1-2 weeks to avoid the possibility of withdrawal symptoms. 5) Switching from MAO inhibitors used to treat psychiatric disorders At least 14 days should elapse between discontinuing an MAO inhibitor used to treat psychiatric disorders and starting treatment with this drug. Conversely, at least 14 days should elapse after discontinuing this drug before starting an MAO inhibitor to treat psychiatric disorders. 6) Other MAO inhibitors, such as linezolid or methylene blue Patients receiving linezolid or intravenous methylene blue should not start treatment with this drug because of the increased risk of serotonin syndrome. For patients requiring treatment for a more urgent psychiatric condition, including hospitalization or other interventional procedures, treatment should be considered. It may be necessary to urgently administer linezolid or intravenous methylene blue to a patient already receiving this drug. If there is no alternative to linezolid or intravenous methylene blue and, for a particular patient, the benefits of treatment with linezolid or intravenous methylene blue are judged to outweigh the risk of serotonin syndrome, this drug may be stopped immediately and linezolid or intravenous methylene blue administered. Patients should be monitored for symptoms of serotonin syndrome for 2 weeks after administration of linezolid or intravenous methylene blue, or until 24 hours after the last dose, whichever occurs first. Treatment with this drug may be restarted 24 hours after the last dose of linezolid or intravenous methylene blue. The risk associated with administration of methylene blue by nonintravenous routes (oral tablets or local injection) or with intravenous administration of this drug at doses of 1mg/kg or less is unclear. Nevertheless, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of emergency symptoms of serotonin syndrome with these uses.

This medication is an antidepressant used to treat psychiatric disorders such as major depression. This medication may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior, particularly in young adults aged 18 to 24, so it should be prescribed with caution by a physician for patients in this age group. Its use is not approved for children and adolescents, and it is recommended not to administer it to them. During treatment, family members or caregivers should carefully observe for any worsening of depressive symptoms or abnormal behavior changes such as suicidal impulses, aggression, or rage. Additionally, patients with allergies to any of the ingredients of this medication or those taking specific medications such as MAO inhibitors, pimozide, or drugs that prolong the QT interval should not use this medication. Patients with closed-angle glaucoma or a history of glaucoma should be cautious, as this medication may dilate the pupils and increase intraocular pressure. During the first 1-2 weeks of treatment, various side effects such as insomnia, anxiety, dizziness, nausea, and headaches may occur, but they generally resolve over time. Particularly in patients with heart disease or a prolonged QT interval, there is a risk of cardiac arrhythmia, so regular electrocardiogram monitoring as directed by a physician is necessary. This medication may cause withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, anxiety, and sleep disturbances if discontinued abruptly, so the dosage should be gradually reduced under the guidance of a physician. Furthermore, taking this medication in combination with other serotonin-active drugs may lead to a severe adverse effect known as serotonin syndrome, so patients must consult their doctor regarding concurrent medications. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult a physician before using this medication as it may affect the newborn and may need to avoid breastfeeding or discontinue use. It is recommended to start elderly patients on a lower initial dose and adjust the maximum dose lower as well. Finally, caution is needed while driving or operating machinery during treatment, and it should be stored out of reach of children.

Thrombocytopenia, anaphylactic reaction, inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone, hyperprolactinemia, decreased appetite, increased appetite, weight gain, weight loss, hyponatremia, anorexia, anxiety, restlessness, abnormal dreams, decreased libido, sexual dysfunction, bruxism, agitation, irritability, panic attacks, confusion, aggression, depersonalization, hallucinations, mania, suicidal thoughts, suicidal behavior, insomnia, drowsiness, dizziness, perception abnormalities, tremors, taste disorders, sleep disorders, syncope, serotonin syndrome, movement disorders, dyskinesia, seizures, psychomotor agitation, akathisia, mydriasis, visual impairment, tinnitus, tachycardia, bradycardia, QT prolongation, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, ventricular arrhythmia, orthostatic hypotension, sinusitis, yawning, nosebleed, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, xerostomia, gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatitis, abnormal liver function tests, increased sweating, urticaria, hair loss, rash, itching, petechiae, angioedema, arthralgia, myalgia, rhabdomyolysis, urinary retention, ejaculation disorder, erectile dysfunction, uterine bleeding, menorrhagia, galactorrhea, postpartum hemorrhage, priapism, fatigue, fever, edema, headache, dry mouth, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, enteritis, sensory disturbances, cough, sexual dysfunction, palpitations, paralysis, extrapyramidal disorders, migraine, asthma, dyspnea, fractures, hypertension, insomnia, aggressive reactions, anorexia, visual disturbances, drowsiness, sleep disorders, agitation, confusion, sweating, diarrhea, palpitations, chest pain, drowsiness, decreased libido, hallucinations, increased suicidal tendency, increased fracture risk, withdrawal symptoms (dizziness, sleep disorders, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, tremors, confusion, sweating, headache, diarrhea, palpitations), QT interval prolongation, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, ventricular arrhythmia, persistent sexual dysfunction

This medication may be sensitive to air or moisture, so it should be stored in a tightly sealed container. It is important to maintain the storage temperature at room temperature between 1 and 30 degrees Celsius. Proper storage will help ensure the medication’s effectiveness.

Appearance

White, round, film-coated tablets imprinted with EK on one side

Package unit

28 tablets/box [14 tablets/PTP × 2], 100 tablets/bottle