Will Escitalopram help you with depression?

Depression is one of the most talked about mental issues. Until recently our minds had been wired never to speak openly about mental issues. There were fears associated with any form of mental disorder. But the last decade has seen a massive change; several people have come forth to speak about depression and mental well-being. That is certainly a positive direction for mental health at large.

Let us understand more about depression

Feeling sad or hopeless is a part of life. We all feel sadness, and then happiness comes along too. A state where the sadness refuses to go away can be termed depression. A state of sadness over a long period is depression. The exact cause may not always be known. The symptoms and the disorders vary. The doctors may question to find out what triggered the state. There can be no specific reason for a patient to slide into depression. Although the exact cause may not be known; genes, the environment, and some psychological factors are said to be responsible for depression. The episode of depression can be a long and tiring one. Sometimes, it lasts for months together. The patient loses interest in day-to-day activities, will experience sleep disturbances and have a constant feeling of sadness. Depression causes trouble in the social and personal relationships of the patient. Depression needs to be treated by a professional doctor. To be healthy inside out is crucial.

What is Escitalopram?

One of the very safe antidepressants, Escitalopram comes from the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Escitalopram prevents the absorption of serotonin and helps to increase its levels. Serotonin is responsible for many functions like modulating mood, cognition, memory, and more. Raised levels of serotonin help in regulating mood and thus treat depression.

Escitalopram is helpful in the treatment of:

· Major depressive disorder

· Anxiety disorder

· Obsessive-compulsive disorder

· Panic disorder

How is Escitalopram available?

Escitalopram is available as an oral solution and as tablets of strengths 5mg,10mg, and 20mg.

Some of the popular brands available in the market for Escitalopram are given below,

· Nexito from Sun Pharma

· Rexipra from Intas Pharma

· Felix-S from Torrent pharmaceuticals

· Stalopam from Lupin Pharma

· C-Pram S from Torrent Pharma

· Censpram from USV Ltd.

· Citofast from Glenmark Pharmaceuticals

· Esdep from Abbot healthcare

· Firsito from Zydus Cadilla healthcare

How to take Escitalopram?

It is advised to take Escitalopram exactly as instructed by the doctor.

The initial dose will be low, your doctor can eventually increase the dose if required.

Never take more dosage than recommended by your doctor.

Never suddenly stop the medicine without the advice of your doctor. A sudden halt in medication could result in some severe side effects.

Escitalopram can keep you awake, and sleep may elude you. It is best to take it in the morning.

Give the time of 2 to 4 weeks for the medicine to show its effects, do not stop taking it unless advised by your doctor.

Dosage:

For oral dosage form (tablets or solution):

For Depression:

· In adults and children of age 12 years and older, the dose is 10 milligrams (mg) once a day,

· The doctor tells you when to take it, either in the morning or in the evening. The maximum dose is usually not more than 20 mg per day.

· In older adults, the dose is 10 mg once a day, the dose can be taken in the morning or evening.

· In children younger than 12 years, the doctor decides the dose.

For generalized anxiety disorders:

· In adults, the initial dose is 10 milligrams (mg) once a day, taken either in the morning or evening. The maximum dose is generally not more than 20 mg per day.

· In older adults, the dose is 10 mg once a day and can be taken in the morning or evening as suggested by your doctor.

· In children, the dose and the use are decided by the doctor.

Precautions to be taken before you take Escitalopram

Multiple medicines, when consumed together may interact with each other; leading to severe unwanted effects. Any medicine you take must be safe for you. Your doctor needs to know all the medicines you consume along with any supplements you are taking. Inform the doctor of your medical history and your familial medical history so that an informed decision regarding the treatment can be made. It is advised to inform your doctor about all the known allergies you have. Tell the doctor about all the current medicines and all the over-the-counter medicines, and herbal products you use. That is crucial to avoid any adverse effects of drug-drug interactions. Inform your doctor if you are already consuming any antipsychotics or anticoagulants. Tell your doctor if you had taken Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) in the past.

You need to inform the doctor if you

· Consume alcohol

· If you have low sodium in your blood

· Smoke tobacco or eat it

· Are pregnant

· Have glaucoma

· Have difficulty urinating

· Have heart trouble

· Have kidney problems

· Have high blood pressure

· Had a stroke or gotten seizures

· Have any liver diseases

· Had a surgery

· Have had a dental surgery

In case, you feel pain in the eyes, nausea, and severe pressure in the eyes after taking the drug, consult with your doctor and go for an eye examination. Escitalopram may affect your movements and thinking, so avoid all activities that need concentration till you know the effects Escitalopram has on you.

Side effects of Escitalopram

Escitalopram can cause side effects. Most drugs have some kind of mild side effects, your doctor weighs the benefits and the side effects, before prescribing the drug. Everyone is different and can react differently to the drug. There is a possibility you may experience side effects. It is, therefore, vital to monitor the side effects. Discuss the side effects with your doctor and abide by his decision.

Common Side Effects of Escitalopram

· Nausea, vomiting

· weakness or tiredness, dizziness

· yawing, shaking

· Dry mouth, mouth sores

· Skin is sensitive to sunlight

· Loss of appetite or weight

· Changes in the way things taste

· Indigestion

· Increased sweating

· Excessive tiredness

· Constipation

· Diarrhoea

· Dry mouth

· Drowsiness

· Feeling extremely thirsty

· A reduced sex drive

· Problems related to erection in men

· Problems related to orgasm in women

· Headache

· Hair loss

Tell your doctor if you experience any severe symptoms or some symptoms that do not go away.

Severe Side Effects of Escitalopram

· Unusual excitement

· Hallucinations

· Hives

· Rash

· Itching

· High fever

· Joint pain

· Difficulty breathing

· Difficulty swallowing

· swelling of body parts like lips or face

· Abnormal bleeding

· Abnormal bruising

· Unsteadiness

· Problems associated with thinking or memory

· Difficult urination

If you experience severe or adverse effects, seek emergency medical attention or call your doctor immediately.

Does Escitalopram suit you?

We know the answer to that question. If, we told you there is a revolutionary test that is affordable, painless, and easy to administer, would you believe it? The MEDNAwise pharmacogenetic test from Indus Health Plus is the perfect tool to know the drugs that best suit you. It can be a struggle to find the correct drug for you with the trial-and-error method. A valuable diagnostic tool, the MEDNAwise test helps your doctor decide the best-suited drug for you, the correct dosage, and with minimum adverse effects. Everyone has a different response to the same medicine. Genes, that you inherit are the determining factors of many things in your body, including the response to medicines. The MEDNAwise test studies these genes and tells us the efficacy and suitability of the drugs. The results are for around 70+ drugs across several medical specialties. The results simplify the doctor’s ability to start or alter treatment. The MEDNAwise test results can be reused for all future medical purposes. The results serve as a ready reckoner for your doctor, to give the correct treatment every time. MEDNAwise is a spit swab test that can be taken from anywhere. Once the samples are tested, the detailed results are sent back to you. The counsellors help you understand the results. They also guide you with further health plans and diet. Taking the MEDNAwise test is more than right! Your first step towards, personalized and precision medicine. They say, ‘what does not kill you makes you stronger.’ but why take the chance? Certainly not when it comes to your health and well-being. Book your MEDNAwise pharmacogenetic test today!