IPCA Escitalopram 20mg general information
What is IPCA Escitalopram used for?
IPCA 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.
IPCA 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 IPCA Escitalopram work?
IPCA Escitalopram tablets 20mg contain escitalopram which is an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Escitalopram in IPCA Escitalopram tablets 20mg is similar in structure to other SSRIs but is more selective and more potent.
Escitalopram in IPCA 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 IPCA 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 IPCA 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 IPCA Escitalopram contain?
IPCA 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 croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, maize starch, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose and Opadry white 04F58804.
Treating depression with IPCA Escitalopram
IPCA 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 IPCA 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.
IPCA Escitalopram for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
IPCA 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 IPCA 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 IPCA Escitalopram?
The most commonly reported side effects when taking IPCA 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 IPCA Escitalopram not be used?
You should not use IPCA Escitalopram tablets 20mg if you:
- are allergic to escitalopram or any ingredients in IPCA 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 IPCA Escitalopram or within 14 days
- are taking medication that affects blood clotting as these may increase risk of bleeding if taken with IPCA Escitalopram
- taking other medication that interacts with IPCA 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 IPCA Escitalopram?
Several medications interact with IPCA Escitalopram tablets 20mg and should either not be taken while you are taking IPCA Escitalopram or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:
- Drugs that cause a serious reaction with IPCA 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 IPCA Escitalopram: tramadol (analgesic) tryptophan or lithium (mood alteration) or phentermine (weight-reducing medicines), medicines used to treat migraine, like sumatriptan, St John's wort, an herbal remedy used to treat mood disorders, cimetidine for reflux and ulcers
- Drugs that are affected by IPCA 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 IPCA Escitalopram be taken?
You should take your IPCA 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.
You should continue to take your IPCA Escitalopram tablets 20mg regularly for as long as recommended by your doctor, usually at least 6 months.
How long should you take IPCA Escitalopram?
You should continue to take your IPCA Escitalopram tablets 20mg regularly for as long as recommended by your doctor, usually at least 6 months.
Missed dose of IPCA Escitalopram?
If you miss a dose of IPCA 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 IPCA Escitalopram be stored?
You should store your IPCA Escitalopram below 25°C in a cool dry place, well out of reach of children.