Lexapro Tablet 15 Milligrams (Escitalopram Oxalate)

Adult dosage

The safety of doses exceeding 20mg daily has not been established. Administer this drug once daily in the morning or evening, with or without food. Major depressive disorder: The usual dose is 10mg once daily. The dose may be increased to a maximum of 20mg daily according to the patient's response. If increasing the dose of this drug to 20mg, allow an interval of at least 1 week before increasing the dose. In general, 2-4 weeks are needed for antidepressant effects to develop. Even after symptoms have resolved, drug treatment for at least 6 months is needed to ensure a therapeutic effect. Panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia: The recommended initial dose is 5mg daily for 1 week, followed by an increase to 10mg daily. The dose may be increased to a maximum of 20mg daily according to the patient's response. The maximum effect occurs 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. Social anxiety disorder: The usual dose is 10mg once daily. In general, 2-4 weeks are needed for symptom improvement. Thereafter, the dose may be reduced to 5mg daily or increased to a maximum of 20mg daily according to the patient's response. Continued treatment for 12 weeks is recommended to ensure a therapeutic effect. Long-term treatment in patients who respond has been studied for 6 months and should be considered for each patient to prevent relapse. The usefulness of long-term treatment should be reassessed regularly. Generalized anxiety disorder: The initial dose is 10mg once daily. The dose may be increased to a maximum of 20mg daily according to the patient's response after at least 1 week of treatment. A long-term study administered 20mg daily for at least 6 months to 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. Obsessive-compulsive disorder: The usual dose is 10mg once daily. The dose may be increased to a maximum of 20mg daily according to the patient's response. A long-term study administered 10mg or 20mg daily for at least 24 weeks to patients who responded to 16 weeks of open-label treatment. During long-term administration of this drug, the benefit and dose should be regularly reassessed for each patient. Patients with renal impairment: No dose adjustment is required in patients with mild or moderate renal impairment. Use with caution in patients with severe renal impairment (CLCR < 30㎖/min). Patients with hepatic impairment: An initial dose of 5mg daily for the first 2 weeks is recommended. The dose may be increased to 10mg daily according to the patient's response. Discontinuation: When discontinuing this drug, the dose should be reduced gradually over at least 1-2 weeks to avoid the possibility of withdrawal symptoms. Switching from MAO inhibitors used to treat psychiatric disorders: Allow an interval of at least 14 days after discontinuing an MAO inhibitor used to treat psychiatric disorders before starting treatment with this drug. Conversely, at least 14 days must elapse after discontinuing this drug before starting an MAO inhibitor to treat psychiatric disorders. Treatment with this drug may be restarted 24 hours after the last dose of linezolid or intravenous methylene blue.

This medication is primarily used to treat psychiatric disorders like depression, and there is an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults. Patients who are allergic to this medication’s components or are taking specific drugs such as MAO inhibitors and pimozide should not use this medication. Patients with a history of glaucoma or closed-angle glaucoma should use this medication cautiously as it can dilate the pupils and exacerbate symptoms. During the initial stages of treatment, mental symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, and suicidal thoughts may worsen, so it is important for patients and caregivers to observe closely. This medication may cause various side effects including decreased sodium levels in the blood, increased bleeding tendency, heart rhythm disorders, gastrointestinal disturbances, skin rashes, etc., so if any abnormal symptoms occur, consult a doctor immediately. Sudden discontinuation during treatment can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, anxiety, and sleep disturbances, so the dosage should be gradually reduced under the guidance of a doctor. Patients with heart disease or at risk of QT interval prolongation should undergo an electrocardiogram before and during treatment with this medication, and those with hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia should correct these conditions first. Pregnant or breastfeeding women must consult a doctor before using this medication as it may affect the fetus or newborn, and discontinuation of breastfeeding is recommended during use. When taken with other serotonergic drugs, this medication may cause severe side effects known as serotonin syndrome, so extreme caution is advised during concomitant use. Moreover, since this medication is metabolized in the liver, patients with compromised liver function may require dosage adjustment, and it is important to inform about any other medications being taken due to the potential for drug interactions. Caution may be required when driving or operating machinery, so it’s crucial to monitor one's condition after taking the medication. Finally, safety and efficacy in children and adolescents have not been sufficiently established, thus usage is not recommended.

Thrombocytopenia, anaphylactic reaction, inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone, hyperprolactinemia, decreased appetite, increased appetite, weight gain, weight loss, hyponatremia, loss of appetite, anxiety, restlessness, abnormal dreams, decreased libido, sexual dysfunction, bruxism, agitation, hypersensitivity, panic attack, confusion, aggression, depersonalization, hallucination, mania, suicidal thoughts, suicidal behavior, insomnia, drowsiness, dizziness, perceptual disturbances, tremors, taste disorders, sleep disturbances, fainting, serotonin syndrome, movement disorders, motor dysfunction, convulsions, psychomotor agitation, inability to remain seated, mydriasis, visual impairment, tinnitus, tachycardia, bradycardia, electrocardiogram QT prolongation, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, sinusitis, yawning, nosebleed, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, dry mouth, gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatitis, abnormal liver function test, increased sweating, urticaria, hair loss, rash, itching, petechiae, angioedema, arthralgia, myalgia, rhabdomyolysis, urinary retention, ejaculation disorder, erectile dysfunction, uterine bleeding, menorrhagia, galactorrhea, postpartum hemorrhage, fatigue, fever, edema, headache, xerostomia, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, enteritis, sensory disturbances, cough, asthma, dyspnea, fracture, palpitations, hypertension, paralysis, extrapyramidal disorders, migraine, chest pain, frequent urination, sedation, tremor, dry mouth, heartburn, anxiety, visual hallucinations, dizziness, drowsiness

This medication may be sensitive to air or moisture, so it must be stored in a tightly sealed container. It is recommended to keep the storage temperature between 1 and 30 degrees Celsius to safely maintain the medication's effectiveness.

Appearance

White oval film-coated tablets with a dividing line and E, M printed on one side

Package unit

28 tablets (14 tablets/PTP × 2)