Lexapram 10 mg Tablet (Escitalopram Oxalate)

Adult administration

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 the dose of this drug is to be increased to 20mg, the increase should be made at intervals of at least 1 week. In general, 2-4 weeks are required for the antidepressant effect to become apparent. Even after symptoms have resolved, at least 6 months of drug therapy 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 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. Generally, 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 the therapeutic effect. Long-term treatment in patients who respond has been studied for 6 months, and should be considered individually for each patient to prevent relapse. The usefulness of long-term treatment should be reevaluated 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 given only when social anxiety disorder significantly interferes with occupational and social activities. Comparison of drug treatment with cognitive behavioral therapy has not been evaluated. 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 administration 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 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 administration 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 disease, and treatment should be continued for a sufficient period to ensure recovery from symptoms. When this drug is administered long term, the usefulness and dose for each patient should be reevaluated regularly. 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 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 When discontinuing an MAO inhibitor used to treat psychiatric disorders and starting treatment with this drug, 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 drug. 6) Other MAO inhibitors, such as linezolid or methylene blue Patients receiving linezolid or intravenous methylene blue should not be started on this drug because of the increased risk of serotonin syndrome. For patients requiring treatment for a more urgent psychiatric condition, including hospitalization, other interventions 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 the benefits of treatment with linezolid or intravenous methylene blue are judged to outweigh the risk of serotonin syndrome in a particular patient, this drug may be discontinued 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 non-intravenous routes (oral tablets or local injection) or intravenous administration of this drug at 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 used as an antidepressant for the treatment of psychiatric disorders like major depression, and caution is needed as it may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors, especially in younger age groups. This medication may cause serious side effects when used in combination with certain drugs, especially with MAO inhibitors, pimozide, or medications that prolong QT interval. Patients with glaucoma or a history of glaucoma should use this medication cautiously as it may dilate the pupils and increase intraocular pressure. Various side effects such as anxiety, insomnia, dizziness, and nausea may occur during the first 1-2 weeks of treatment; these symptoms typically decrease over time. Particular attention should be paid to changes in mental state, such as suicidal tendencies, aggression, and anxiety, and family or guardians should closely monitor the patient's condition. Abrupt discontinuation of this medication can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, anxiety, and sleep disturbances, so dosage should be gradually reduced under a doctor's guidance. Patients with heart disease or a risk of QT interval prolongation should have an ECG before starting this medication and regularly check their heart condition during treatment. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult a doctor before using this medication as it may affect the fetus or newborn. This medication is not recommended for children or adolescents due to insufficient evidence of safety and efficacy. In elderly patients, starting at a lower initial dose and cautiously increasing the dose is advisable. Caution is needed while driving or operating machinery as mental or physical abilities may be affected. Overdose may cause central nervous system, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal symptoms which require immediate medical attention.

Thrombocytopenia, anaphylactic reaction, inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone, hyperprolactinemia, decreased appetite, increased appetite, weight gain, weight loss, hyponatremia, anorexia, anxiety, agitation, abnormal dreams, decreased libido, sexual dysfunction, bruxism, restlessness, 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, dyskinesia, movement disorders, seizures, psychomotor agitation, akathisia, mydriasis, visual impairment, tinnitus, tachycardia, bradycardia, prolonged QT interval, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, ventricular arrhythmias, orthostatic hypotension, sinusitis, yawning, nosebleeds, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, dry mouth, gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatitis, abnormal liver function tests, increased sweating, urticaria, hair loss, rash, itching, petechiae, angioedema, arthralgia, myalgia, rhabdomyolysis, urinary retention, ejaculatory dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, uterine bleeding, menorrhagia, galactorrhea, postpartum hemorrhage, priapism, fatigue, fever, edema, headache, dry mouth, abdominal pain, indigestion, enteritis, sensory disturbances, cough, asthma, shortness of breath, fracture, palpitations, hypertension, paralysis, extrapyramidal disorder, migraine, chest pain, frequency of urination, tremor, emotional instability, hypersensitivity, visual impairment, dizziness, sleep disorders, anxiety, agitation, nausea, vomiting, tremors, confusion, sweating, headache, diarrhea

This medication is sensitive to light, so it should be stored in a tightly closed container that blocks light. It is important to maintain storage temperatures between 1 degree and 30 degrees Celsius to preserve the medication's efficacy and safety.

Appearance

White, oval film-coated tablet

Package unit

30 tablets/bottle, 100 tablets/bottle