Esita 5 mg

Description

Esita (Escitalopram) Tablet

Indications
Esita is prescribed for the treatment of:

• Major depressive episodes
• Panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia
• Social anxiety disorder (social phobia)
• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Use this medication only as directed by a registered physician.

Pharmacology
Escitalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that enhances serotonin activity in the brain. It is the pure S-enantiomer of citalopram and is significantly more potent in inhibiting serotonin reuptake. Escitalopram exhibits minimal affinity for other receptors, including adrenergic, dopamine, histamine, muscarinic, and benzodiazepine receptors.

Dosage and Administration
Esita is taken as a single daily dose, with or without food. The maximum recommended daily dose is 20 mg. Dosage varies based on condition:

• Major Depressive Disorder: 10 mg once daily, which may be increased to 20 mg based on patient response. Full antidepressant effects may take 2-4 weeks. Treatment should continue for at least 6 months after symptom resolution.
• Panic Disorder: Start with 5 mg daily for the first week, then increase to 10 mg. The dose can be further raised to a maximum of 20 mg. Peak effectiveness is observed after 3 months, and treatment is recommended for several months.
• Social Anxiety Disorder: 10 mg once daily, adjustable between 5 mg and 20 mg based on response. A treatment duration of 12 weeks is suggested for symptom stabilization, with potential long-term use up to 6 months for relapse prevention.
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder: 10 mg daily, with possible increase up to 20 mg. Patients showing improvement should be reassessed periodically.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): 10 mg daily, which may be increased up to 20 mg. As OCD is a chronic condition, treatment should continue long enough to ensure sustained symptom relief.

Use this medication only as directed by a registered physician.

Drug Interactions

• Escitalopram should not be started within two weeks of discontinuing a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Likewise, MAOIs should not be used within one week of stopping escitalopram.
• Special caution is needed when taken with drugs that prolong the QT interval or increase the risk of bleeding.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to escitalopram, citalopram, or any of the tablet’s components
• Concurrent use with MAOIs or pimozide

Side Effects
Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dry mouth, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia, and increased sweating. Some patients may experience weight changes, anxiety, tremors, or sexual dysfunction. In rare cases, hypersensitivity reactions, hallucinations, convulsions, or cardiac irregularities may occur.

Pregnancy & Lactation
Escitalopram should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefits outweigh the risks. It is excreted in breast milk, so a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or the medication, considering the benefits to the mother and risks to the infant.

Precautions & Warnings

• Use with caution in patients with epilepsy, history of mania, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hepatic or renal impairment.
• Risk of serotonin syndrome if combined with other serotonergic drugs.
• Discontinue gradually to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Use in Special Populations

• Elderly Patients (65+ years): Start with 5 mg daily, increasing to 10 mg as needed. Efficacy in social anxiety disorder has not been established for elderly patients.
• Children & Adolescents (<18 years): Not recommended for use in this age group.
• Renal Impairment: No dosage adjustment is needed for mild to moderate impairment. Use with caution in severe cases.
• Hepatic Impairment: Start with 5 mg daily for two weeks, increasing to 10 mg if tolerated.
• Poor CYP2C19 Metabolizers: Begin with 5 mg daily for two weeks, with the option to increase to 10 mg.

Overdose Management
Symptoms of overdose may include dizziness, agitation, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, and cardiac abnormalities such as QT prolongation. There is no specific antidote. Treatment involves gastric lavage, activated charcoal administration, airway management, and monitoring of cardiac function.

Therapeutic Class
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) & related antidepressants.

Storage Instructions
Store below 30°C in a dry place, protected from light and moisture. Keep out of reach of children.