Escitalopram 5 mg Tablets (Escitalopram Oxalate)

Adult dosage

The safety of doses exceeding 20mg per day has not been established. This medication 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 medication to 20mg, the dose should be increased at intervals of at least 1 week. In general, 2-4 weeks are required for antidepressant effects to appear. Even after symptoms have resolved, drug treatment for at least 6 months is needed to ensure a sustained therapeutic effect. (2) Panic disorder with or without agoraphobia: It is recommended to administer 5mg per day as the initial dose 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 medication for more than 10 weeks in the treatment of panic disorder have not been systematically studied. The physician should periodically reassess 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 required for symptoms to improve. 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 condition with a chronic course, and continued treatment for 12 weeks is recommended to ensure a therapeutic effect. Long-term treatment in patients who responded has been studied for 6 months and should be considered on an individual patient basis to prevent relapse. The usefulness of long-term treatment should be reassessed regularly. 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 at least 1 week of treatment. A long-term treatment study was conducted in patients who responded to 12 weeks of open-label treatment, administering 20mg per day for at least 6 months. The physician should regularly reassess the usefulness of long-term treatment with this medication 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 treatment study was conducted in patients who responded to 16 weeks of open-label treatment, administering 10mg or 20mg per day for at least 24 weeks. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a chronic condition, so treatment should be continued for a sufficient period to ensure recovery from symptoms. If this medication is administered long term, its usefulness and dose should be regularly reassessed for each patient. 2) Patients with renal impairment No dose adjustment is required in patients with mild or moderate renal impairment. Caution is required in patients with severe renal impairment (CLCR < 30㎖/min). 3) Patients with hepatic impairment It is recommended to administer an initial dose of 5mg per day for the first 2 weeks. Depending on the patient's response, the dose may be increased to 10mg per day. 4) Discontinuation When discontinuing this medication, 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 When discontinuing an MAO inhibitor used to treat psychiatric disorders and starting treatment with this medication, an interval of at least 14 days should be allowed. Conversely, when starting an MAO inhibitor to treat psychiatric disorders, at least 14 days must have elapsed after discontinuing this medication. 6) Other MAO inhibitors, such as linezolid or methylene blue Patients receiving linezolid or intravenous methylene blue should not start this medication because of the increased risk of serotonin syndrome. For patients requiring treatment for a more urgent psychiatric condition, including hospitalization and 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 medication. If no alternative to linezolid or intravenous methylene blue is available 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 medication 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 medication may be restarted 24 hours after the last dose of linezolid or intravenous methylene blue. The risks associated with administration of methylene blue by nonintravenous routes (oral tablets or local injection) or intravenous injection of this medication at 1mg/kg or less are 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. During the use of this medication, there may be an increase in suicidal thoughts or actions, especially in patients aged 18 to 24 years, who should be prescribed under careful supervision by a physician. It may be dangerous when taken with certain medications, so patients currently taking MAO inhibitors or pimozide should not be prescribed this medication. Patients with closed-angle glaucoma or a history of glaucoma should be cautious, as this medication may dilate the pupils and raise intraocular pressure. During the initial 1-2 weeks of treatment, various side effects such as anxiety, insomnia, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue may occur, and most symptoms will alleviate over time. This medication may affect blood clotting, so patients with a tendency to bleed or those on anticoagulants should be cautious. Abruptly stopping this medication may lead to withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, anxiety, and sleep disturbances, so it should be gradually reduced in consultation with a physician. Pregnant or nursing women must consult a doctor before taking this medication, and if breastfeeding, it is advisable to stop breastfeeding or avoid taking this medication. Elderly patients should start at a lower dose than the general adult population and carefully titrate the dosage. This medication may prolong the QT interval, increasing the risk of cardiac arrhythmia, so patients with heart conditions or those taking related medications may need cardiac evaluation. Caution is advised when driving or operating machinery, and concurrent use with alcohol is not recommended. In case of overdose, central nervous system and cardiovascular abnormalities may occur, so the prescribed dosage must be strictly adhered to, and immediate medical attention is necessary if unusual symptoms arise.

Thrombocytopenia, anaphylactic reaction, inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, hyperprolactinemia, decreased appetite, increased appetite, weight gain, weight loss, hyponatremia, anorexia, anxiety, restlessness, abnormal dreams, decreased libido, sexual dysfunction, bruxism, agitation, irritability, panic attack, confusion, aggression, depersonalization, hallucinations, mania, suicidal thoughts, suicidal behavior, insomnia, drowsiness, dizziness, perceptual disturbances, tremors, taste disturbance, sleep disorders, syncope, serotonin syndrome, movement disorders, motor dysfunction, seizures, psychomotor agitation, akathisia, mydriasis, visual impairment, tinnitus, tachycardia, bradycardia, QT prolongation on electrocardiogram, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, ventricular arrhythmia, orthostatic hypotension, sinusitis, yawning, epistaxis, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, thirst, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hepatitis, abnormal liver function tests, increased sweating, urticaria, hair loss, rash, itching, petechiae, angioedema, arthralgia, myalgia, rhabdomyolysis, urinary retention, ejaculation disorders, erectile dysfunction, uterine bleeding, menorrhagia, galactorrhea, postpartum hemorrhage, priapism, fatigue, fever, edema, headache, dry mouth, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, enteritis, sensory disturbances, cough, asthma, dyspnea, fractures, palpitations, hypertension, dizziness, paralysis, extrapyramidal disorders, migraine, chest pain, drowsiness, aggressive reactions, anorexia, hallucinations, sedation, frequent urination, tremors, abdominal discomfort, anxiety, insomnia, visual hallucinations, retrograde anxiety, epileptic seizures, mania, changes in blood glucose control, anxiety, agitation, panic disorder, insomnia, excitement, hostility, aggression, impulsivity, akathisia, withdrawal symptoms (dizziness, sleep disorders, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, tremors, confusion, sweating, headache, diarrhea, palpitations, emotional instability, irritability, visual impairment), hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, persistent sexual dysfunction

This medication should be stored in a tightly closed container that is shielded from light at a temperature between 1 and 30 degrees Celsius. Proper storage will help maintain the effectiveness of the medication.

Appearance

White, round, film-coated tablet

Package unit

30 tablets/bottle, 100 tablets/bottle