Lexital 10 mg (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. The dose may be increased to a maximum of 20mg per day depending on the patient's response. If the dose of this drug is to be increased to 20mg, it should be increased at intervals of at least 1 week. In general, 2-4 weeks are required for antidepressant effects to become apparent. Even after symptoms have resolved, at least 6 months of drug therapy is required to ensure a treatment effect. (2) Panic disorder with or without agoraphobia: It is recommended that an initial dose of 5mg per day be administered for 1 week, followed by an increase to 10mg per day. The dose may be increased to a maximum of 20mg per day depending on the patient's response. The maximum effect appears after approximately 3 months. The safety and efficacy of administration of this drug 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, the dose may be reduced to 5mg per day or increased to a maximum of 20mg per day, depending on the patient's response. Social anxiety disorder is a chronic condition, and continuation of treatment for 12 weeks is recommended to ensure a treatment effect. Long-term treatment in patients who responded was studied for 6 months and should be considered for each individual patient 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 therapy should be given only when social anxiety disorder significantly interferes with occupational and social activities. Drug therapy has not been compared with cognitive behavioral therapy. Drug therapy 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 study administering 20mg per day for at least 6 months was conducted in patients who responded to 12 weeks of open-label treatment. The physician should regularly reassess the usefulness of long-term treatment with this drug for each patient. (5) Obsessive-compulsive disorder: The usual dose is 10mg once daily. The dose may be increased to a maximum of 20mg per day depending on the patient's response. A long-term study administering 10mg or 20mg per day for at least 24 weeks was conducted in patients who responded to 16 weeks of open-label treatment. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a chronic condition; this drug should be administered for a sufficient period to ensure recovery from symptoms. When this drug is administered long term, the usefulness and dose should be regularly reassessed for each individual 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. The dose may be increased to 10mg per day depending on the patient's response. 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 for the treatment of psychiatric disorders When discontinuing an MAO inhibitor used to treat psychiatric disorders and starting treatment with this drug, an interval of at least 14 days must be allowed. Conversely, when starting an MAO inhibitor to treat psychiatric disorders, at least 14 days must have elapsed after discontinuing this drug. 6) Other MAO inhibitors, such as linezolid or methylene blue Patients receiving linezolid or intravenous methylene blue must not start treatment with this drug because of the increased risk of serotonin syndrome. For patients who require 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 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 drug may be discontinued immediately and linezolid or intravenous methylene blue administered. The patient 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 comes first. Treatment with this drug may be resumed 24 hours after the last dose of linezolid or intravenous methylene blue. The risk associated with methylene blue administered 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 may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and adolescents with major depression or other psychiatric disorders; therefore, careful judgment is necessary when administering it to patients in these age groups. Serious side effects may occur when this medication is used in combination with certain drugs, especially MAO inhibitors, pimozide, or medications that prolong the QT interval, so it should not be used together with them. Patients with a history of glaucoma or those with closed-angle glaucoma may be at risk of increased intraocular pressure due to the mydriatic effect of this medicine, so caution is advised during administration. During the first 1-2 weeks of treatment, side effects such as insomnia, anxiety, tremors, nausea, and headaches may occur, but these symptoms tend to diminish over time. When using antidepressants, there may be a risk of worsening depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts, or behavior changes such as aggression, so patients and caregivers should carefully monitor for any unusual symptoms and consult medical personnel immediately if they occur. Discontinuing this medication abruptly may result in withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, anxiety, and sleep disorders, so the dosage should be gradually reduced according to the doctor's instructions. Patients with heart disease or those with prolonged QT intervals are advised to undergo an electrocardiogram before taking this medication and to monitor their cardiac status during treatment. If pregnant or breastfeeding, it is important to consult a physician before using this medication, as it may affect the newborn. Elderly patients should start with a lower initial dose and limit the maximum dosage for safety. It is advisable not to consume alcohol while taking this medication, and caution may be needed when driving or operating machinery. In case of overdose, symptoms affecting the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, and cardiovascular system may occur, and urgent medical attention should be sought immediately. This medication must be kept out of reach of children, and it is important not to transfer it to another container to maintain the quality of the drug.

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 attacks, confusion, aggression, depersonalization, hallucinations, mania, suicidal thoughts, suicidal behavior, insomnia, drowsiness, dizziness, perceptual disturbances, tremors, taste disorders, sleep disorders, syncope, serotonin syndrome, movement disorders, motor dysfunction, seizures, psychomotor agitation, akathisia, mydriasis, visual impairment, tinnitus, tachycardia, bradycardia, QT prolongation on ECG, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, ventricular arrhythmias, orthostatic hypotension, sinusitis, yawning, epistaxis, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, thirst, gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatitis, abnormal liver function tests, increased sweating, urticaria, alopecia, rash, pruritus, petechiae, angioedema, arthralgia, myalgia, rhabdomyolysis, urinary retention, ejaculation disorders, erectile dysfunction, uterine bleeding, menorrhagia, galactorrhea, postpartum hemorrhage, fatigue, fever, edema, headache, xerostomia, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, enteritis, sensory disturbances, cough, asthma, dyspnea, fractures, palpitations, hypertension, paralysis, extrapyramidal disorder, migraine, chest pain, frequency of urination, tremor, emotional instability, hypersensitivity, visual impairment, dizziness, sleep disorders, anxiety, tremors, confusion, sweating, diarrhea

This medication should be stored in a tightly closed container that can block light, at room temperature between 1°C and 30°C. This helps to maintain the medication's effectiveness over time.

Appearance

White oval film-coated tablet

Package unit

30 tablets/bottle, 100 tablets/bottle