Nexito (Escitalopram 5mg) 15 Tablets/ Strip

General Information

What is Nexito used for?

Nexito tablets 5mg are used to treat major depression and symptoms of depressive illness, including anxiety, loss of interest in usual activities, disturbed sleep, change in appetite, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of suicide.  Nexito tablets 5mg are also used to treat other mood disorders that affect daily activities and relationships with others including, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder (social phobia) and generalised anxiety disorder. 

How does Nexito work?

Nexito tablets 5mg contain escitalopram which is an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).  Escitalopram in Nexito tablets 5mg is similar in structure to other SSRIs but is more selective and more potent.  Escitalopram in Nexito tablets 5mg acts in the brain to correct the chemical imbalance that is thought to be one of the major causes of depression and other mood disorders, particularly a lack of serotonin (a neurotransmitter or brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate) which controls many body activities, including regulating mood.  Escitalopram in Nexito tablets blocks the reuptake of serotonin from the synapse, which is the gap between nerve cells across which chemical messages are sent from one nerve cell to another.  If the re-uptake of serotonin by the first nerve cell (pre-synaptic) is blocked, this means that there is more serotonin remaining for the receiving nerve cell (post-synaptic), which allows nerve cells to communicate with each other for longer.  The action of escitalopram in Nexito tablets 5mg helps relieve symptoms of depression and other mood disorders by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain, which in turn increases stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood.

What does Nexito contain?

Nexito tablets 5mg contain the active ingredient escitalopram oxalate, an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), used to treat depression and other mood disorders. 

Treating depression with Nexito

Nexito tablets 5mg contain escitalopram which is an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), used to treat symptoms of depression, including anxiety, loss of interest in usual activities, disturbed sleep, change in appetite, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating and recurrent thoughts of suicide.  One of the major causes of depression is thought to be a lack of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter (brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate) that controls mood.  Escitalopram in Nexito tablets 5mg works by specifically blocking the reuptake of serotonin from the synapse, or gap between nerve cells across which chemical messages are sent to allow nerve cells to communicate with each other.  By preventing the reuptake of serotonin by the first nerve cell (pre-synaptic) there is more serotonin remaining for the receiving nerve cell (post-synaptic), so that nerve cells can communicate with each other for longer, which increases stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood changes, relieving symptoms of depression. 

Nexito for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Nexito tablets 5mg contain escitalopram which is an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), used to treat symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), including intrusive unwanted repetitive thoughts and an irresistible urge to keep repeating certain actions, such as hand-washing or counting, to try and prevent some imagined dreaded event.  One of the major causes of OCD is thought to be low levels of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter (brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate) and if there is a lack of serotonin, the brain cells involved in nerve pathways that control mood changes generate feelings of anxiety and panic instead of well-being, which is associated with high levels of serotonin.  Escitalopram in Nexito tablets 5mg works by blocking the reuptake of serotonin from the synapse, or gap between nerve cells across which chemical messages are sent to allow nerve cells to communicate with each other.  By preventing the reuptake of serotonin by the first nerve cell (pre-synaptic) there is more serotonin remaining for the receiving nerve cell (post-synaptic), so that nerve cells can communicate with each other for longer which increases stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood changes, relieving symptoms of OCD.

What are the side effects of Nexito

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Nexito tablets 5mg include decreased or loss of appetite, dry mouth, diarrhoea, nausea, sleeplessness, fatigue, drowsiness, increased sweating, sexual problems.

When should Nexito not be used?

You should not use Nexito tablets 5mg if you:

• are allergic to escitalopram or any ingredients in Nexito
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have liver disease
• are taking any monoamine oxidase inhibitor medications as these can cause serious reactions if taken with Nexito or within 14 days
• are taking medication that affects blood clotting as these may increase risk of bleeding if taken with Nexito
• taking other medication that interacts with Nexito, including, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression, the analgesic tramadol, tryptophan, or phentermine (weight-reducing medicines), migraine medicines like sumatriptan, the antipsychotic pimozide, St John's wort, cimetidine for reflux and ulcers, the anticoagulant warfarin, clozapine for schizophrenia, phenytoin for epilepsy, diazepam (sedative), tolbutamide for treat diabetes, methadone, used to treat drug addiction , bupropion, for nicotine dependence

What medications interact with Nexito?

Several medications interact with Nexito tablets 5mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Nexito or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Nexito: monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression, medication that affects blood clotting like warfarin, as these may increase risk of bleeding if taken with Escitalopram
• Drugs that affect Nexito: tramadol (analgesic) tryptophan or lithium (mood alteration) or phentermine (weight-reducing medicines), medicines used to treat migraine, like sumatriptan, St John's wort, a herbal remedy used to treat mood disorders, cimetidine for reflux and ulcers
• Drugs that are affected by Nexito: the antipsychotic pimozide, clozapine for schizophrenia, the anticoagulant warfarin, phenytoin for epilepsy, diazepam (sedative), tolbutamide for treat diabetes, methadone, used to treat drug addiction, bupropion, for nicotine dependence

How should Nexito be taken?

You should take your Nexito 5mg tablets with a glass of water with or without food usually once a day, at the same time each day, for several weeks or months, depending on your condition and your doctor’s recommendations.  Your doctor may increase your dose, depending on what you are being treated for.  You should continue to take your Nexito tablets 5mg regularly for as long as recommended by your doctor, usually at least 6 months.

How long should you take Nexito?

You should continue to take your Nexito tablets 5mg regularly for as long as recommended by your doctor, usually at least 6 months.

Missed dose of Nexito

If you miss a dose of Nexito tablets 5mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Nexito be stored?

You should store your Nexito below 25°C in a cool dry place.