Lexastat Tablet 10 mg (Escitalopram Oxalate)

Adult administration

Safety has not been established for doses exceeding 20mg per day. This medication is administered once daily in the morning or evening, with or without food. (1) Major depressive disorder: The usual dosage is 10mg once daily. Depending on the patient's response, the dosage may be increased to a maximum of 20mg per day. If the dosage is to be increased to 20mg, it should be increased at intervals of at least 1 week. In general, 2-4 weeks are needed for antidepressant effects to occur. Even after symptoms resolve, at least 6 months of drug treatment is required to ensure a therapeutic effect. (2) Panic disorder with or without agoraphobia: It is recommended to administer an initial dosage of 5mg per day for 1 week, then increase the dosage to 10mg per day. Depending on the patient's response, the dosage may be increased to a maximum of 20mg per day. The maximum effect occurs 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 dosage is 10mg once daily. In general, 2-4 weeks are needed for symptoms to improve. After that, depending on the patient's response, the dosage 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 of 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. (4) Generalized anxiety disorder: The initial dosage is 10mg once daily. Depending on the patient's response, the dosage 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, with 20mg per day administered 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 dosage is 10mg once daily. Depending on the patient's response, the dosage 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, with 10mg or 20mg per day administered for at least 24 weeks. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a chronic condition; treatment should be continued for a sufficient period to ensure recovery from symptoms. When this medication is used long term, its usefulness and dosage should be reassessed regularly for each patient. 2) Patients with renal impairment No dosage adjustment is required for patients with mild or moderate renal impairment. Caution is required in patients with severe renal impairment (CLCR < 30㎖/min). 3) Patients with hepatic impairment An initial dosage of 5mg per day for the first 2 weeks is recommended. Depending on the patient's response, the dosage may be increased to 10mg per day. 4) Discontinuation of treatment When discontinuing this medication, the dosage 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 should be monitored for symptoms of serotonin syndrome for 2 weeks after administration of linezolid or an intravenous methylene blue product, 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 an intravenous methylene blue product. The risk associated with administration of a methylene blue product by a non-intravenous route (oral tablets or local injection), or with intravenous administration of this medication at a dose of 1mg/kg or less, is unclear.

This medication is an antidepressant used to treat psychiatric disorders such as major depression. While taking this medication, there may be an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or suicidal behavior, particularly in young patients aged 18 to 24; therefore, the physician must carefully weigh these risks against the necessity of treatment. This medication should not be taken in conjunction with certain drugs, such as MAO inhibitors or pimozide, as severe side effects may occur when combined. Patients with a history of glaucoma or angle-closure glaucoma should use this medication cautiously, as it may dilate the pupils and elevate intraocular pressure. During the first 1-2 weeks of treatment, various side effects such as insomnia, dizziness, anxiety, and nausea may appear, but these usually diminish over time. This medication can affect multiple organs, including blood, the nervous system, heart, and gastrointestinal tract; therefore, if any abnormal symptoms occur, consult a doctor immediately. Particularly, patients with existing heart conditions or prolonged QT intervals should be cautious, as there is a risk for cardiac issues such as arrhythmias while taking this medication. When discontinuing use, do not stop suddenly; the dosage should be gradually reduced according to the physician's instructions to avoid withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding must consult a doctor before taking this medication, and if breastfeeding, it is recommended to either discontinue breastfeeding or avoid taking the medication. Elderly patients should start at a lower dose than younger adults and should be monitored closely. This medication is known not to affect driving or the operation of machinery, but caution may be necessary depending on the individual. In cases of overdose, symptoms may include central nervous system symptoms, gastrointestinal disturbances, and cardiac arrhythmias; immediate medical attention should be sought for appropriate treatment. This medication is not recommended for use in children and adolescents as safety and efficacy have not been established. There is a possibility of drug interactions while taking this medication, so it is essential to inform healthcare providers about any other medications being taken. Finally, when storing this medication, it should be kept out of reach of children and not transferred to other containers.

Thrombocytopenia, anaphylactic reaction, inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, hyperprolactinemia, decreased appetite, increased appetite, weight gain, weight loss, hyponatremia, loss of appetite, 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 disturbances, syncope, serotonin syndrome, movement disorders, motor dysfunction, convulsions, psychomotor agitation, akathisia, mydriasis, visual impairment, tinnitus, tachycardia, bradycardia, prolonged QT interval, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, ventricular arrhythmia, orthostatic hypotension, sinusitis, yawning, epistaxis, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, polydipsia, gastrointestinal bleeding, 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, xerostomia, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, enteritis, sensory disturbances, cough, asthma, dyspnea, fracture, palpitations, hypertension, paralysis, extrapyramidal disorder, migraine, chest pain, frequent urination, tremor, emotional instability, hypersensitivity, hallucinations

This medication may be sensitive to light and should be stored in a container that protects it from light. Additionally, it should be kept at room temperature, between 1°C and 30°C, to maintain its efficacy and prevent degradation.

Appearance

White oval film-coated tablet

Package unit

30 tablets/bottle, 100 tablets/bottle