Escitalopram pour les troubles de l'humeur et de l'anxiété

About escitalopram

Escitalopram belongs to a group of medicines called SSRI antidepressants. It is prescribed for the treatment of some mood and anxiety disorders. These are depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalised anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Both depression and anxiety disorders can develop for no apparent reason, but they can also be triggered by a life event such as a relationship problem, a work-related problem, bereavement, or illness. Whatever the cause of the problem, when the symptoms are severe enough, they can interfere with normal day-to-day activities. When this happens, taking a medicine such as escitalopram can help to ease the symptoms and restore normal daily routines. Escitalopram works by regulating the level of a certain chemical in your brain, called serotonin.

Before taking escitalopram

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking escitalopram it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si vous êtes enceinte, si vous essayez d'avoir un enfant ou si vous allaitez.

• Si vous avez des problèmes de fonctionnement du foie ou des reins.

• If you have a heart condition or heart rhythm disorder.

• Si vous êtes épileptique.

• If you have diabetes(diabetes mellitus).

• If you have increased eye pressure (called glaucoma).

• If you have ever had a bleeding disorder, or a stomach or duodenal ulcer.

• Si vous avez déjà eu une humeur anormalement élevée, appelée manie.

• Si vous êtes traité par électroconvulsivothérapie (ECT).

• Si vous avez déjà eu une réaction allergique à un médicament.

• Si vous prenez d'autres médicaments. Cela inclut tous les médicaments que vous prenez et qui sont disponibles sans ordonnance, ainsi que les médicaments à base de plantes et les médicaments complémentaires.

How to take escitalopram

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about escitalopram and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take escitalopram exactly as your doctor tells you to. It is prescribed as a once-daily dose. You can generally take it at a time to suit you, but try to take your doses at the same time of day, each day. You can take escitalopram either with or without food.

• There are several strengths of tablet available; 5 mg, 10 mg and 20 mg. Your doctor will tell you which strength is right for you. This information will also be on the label of the pack you have been supplied with.

• If you have been given escitalopram oral drops, your doctor will tell you how many drops to take each day:

  • Turn the bottle completely upside down. If no drops come out, tap the bottle lightly to start the flow.

  • Count the correct number of drops into a drink of water, orange juice or apple juice. Stir the liquid briefly, and then drink it straightaway.

• Si vous oubliez de prendre une dose, prenez-la dès que vous vous en rendez compte. Si vous ne vous en rendez compte que le lendemain, ne prenez pas la dose oubliée de la veille et prenez la dose prévue normalement. Ne prenez pas deux doses en même temps pour compenser une dose oubliée.

Tirer le meilleur parti de votre traitement

• Essayez de vous rendre à vos rendez-vous réguliers avec votre médecin. Il pourra ainsi vérifier vos progrès.

• You may feel that escitalopram is not helping you straightaway. This is because it can take a week or two before the effect begins to build up, and a few weeks more before you feel the full benefit. It is important that you continue to take escitalopram, even if it takes a little while for your condition to improve.

• If you develop any depressing or suicidal thoughts or ideas, you should let your doctor know about it as soon as possible. These thoughts can be associated with your condition and also with your treatment (particularly when the treatment is first started). It is very important that you tell your doctor about any distressing thoughts or ideas.

• There are several types of antidepressants and they differ in their possible side-effects. If you find that escitalopram does not suit you then let your doctor know, as another may be found that will.

• If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor for advice about drinking while you are on escitalopram. Drinking alcohol could increase the risk of unwanted effects such as feeling sleepy.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with escitalopram. This is because several medicines which are available from general retail outlets can increase the risk of unwanted effects. In particular, do not take the herbal remedy called St John's wort, and please ask for advice before buying any anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen or aspirin.

• Keep taking escitalopram until your doctor tells you otherwise. Your treatment is likely to last for several months - this is normal and helps to prevent your symptoms from recurring. Stopping suddenly can cause symptoms such as headache, sickness, anxiety, dizziness, shakiness and sleeping problems, so when it is time for your treatment to finish, your doctor will reduce your dose gradually over a week or two.

Escitalopram side effects

The most common side effects of escitalopram are:

• Maux de tête

• Sensation de malaise (nausée)

• Être malade (vomissements)

• Tummy (abdominal pain)

• Diarrhée

• Indigestion

• Sensation de vertige ou de somnolence

• Constipation

• Bouche sèche

The best place to find a full list of the side-effects which can be associated with your medicine, is from the manufacturer's printed information leaflet supplied with the medicine. Alternatively, you can find an example of a manufacturer's information leaflet in the reference section below. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

How to manage escitalopram side effects

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to escitalopram, please speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

How to store escitalopram

• Conservez tous les médicaments hors de la portée et de la vue des enfants.

• Conserver dans un endroit frais et sec, à l'abri de la chaleur et de la lumière directes.

• You can use escitalopram drops for eight weeks after first opening the bottle. After this time, make sure you have a fresh supply to use.

Informations importantes sur tous les médicaments