APO-Escitalopram (Escitalopram 20mg)

Apo-Escitalopram general information

What is Apo-Escitalopram used for?

Apo-Escitalopram tablets 20mg 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.  Apo-Escitalopram tablets 20mg 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 Apo-Escitalopram work?

Apo-Escitalopram tablets 20mg contain escitalopram which is an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).  Escitalopram in Apo-Escitalopram tablets 20mg is similar in structure to other SSRIs but is more selective and more potent.  Escitalopram in Apo-Escitalopram tablets 20mg 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 Apo-Escitalopram 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 Apo-Escitalopram tablets 20mg 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 Apo-Escitalopram contain?

Apo-Escitalopram tablets 20mg 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.  They also contain cellulose-microcrystalline, silica-colloidal anhydrous, talc-purified, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, macrogol 400, titanium dioxide

Treating depression with Apo-Escitalopram

Apo-Escitalopram tablets 20mg 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 Apo-Escitalopram tablets 20mg 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.  

Apo-Escitalopram for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Apo-Escitalopram tablets 20mg 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 Apo-Escitalopram tablets 20mg 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 Apo-Escitalopram?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Apo-Escitalopram include are generally mild and transient and usually disappear with continued treatment. They include: decreased or loss of appetite, dry mouth, diarrhoea, nausea, sleeplessness, fatigue, drowsiness, increased sweating, sexual problems.

When should Apo-Escitalopram not be used?

You should not use Apo-Escitalopram tablets 20mg if you:

• are allergic to escitalopram or any ingredients in  Apo-Escitalopram
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have liver disease
• are taking any monoamine oxidase inhibitor medications as these can cause serious reactions if taken with Apo-Escitalopram or within 14 days
• are taking medication that affects blood clotting as these may increase risk of bleeding if taken with Apo-Escitalopram
• taking other medication that interacts with Apo-Escitalopram, 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 Apo-Escitalopram?

Several medications interact with Apo-Escitalopram tablets 20mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Apo-Escitalopram or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Apo-Escitalopram: 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 Apo-Escitalopram: 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 Apo-Escitalopram: 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 Apo-Escitalopram be taken?

You should take your Apo-Escitalopram tablets 20mg 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 Apo-Escitalopram tablets 20mg regularly for as long as recommended by your doctor, usually at least 6 months.

How long should you take Apo-Escitalopram?

You should continue to take your Apo-Escitalopram tablets 20mg regularly for as long as recommended by your doctor, usually at least 6 months.

Missed dose of Apo-Escitalopram

If you miss a dose of Apo-Escitalopram tablets 20mg 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 Apo-Escitalopram be stored?

You should store your Apo-Escitalopram below 25°C in a cool dry place.