Elopram 10 mg (Tablet)

Indications

• Treatment of major depressive episodes
• Treatment of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia
• Treatment of social anxiety disorder (social phobia)
• Treatment of generalised anxiety disorder
• Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder

Pharmacology

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
• Pure S-enantiomer of the racemic bicyclic phthalate derivative citalopram
• At least 100 fold more potent than the R-enantiomer with respect to inhibition of 5-HT reuptake
• No or very low affinity for serotonergic or other receptors including alpha- and beta-adrenergic dopamine, histamine, muscarinic, and benzodiazepine receptors

Dosage

• Safety of daily doses above 20 mg has not been demonstrated
• Administered as a single daily dose
• Usual dosage is 10 mg once daily for major depressive episodes
• Initial dose of 5 mg recommended for the first week in panic disorder
• Usual dosage is 10 mg once daily for social anxiety disorder
• Initial dosage is 10 mg once daily for generalised anxiety disorder
• Initial dosage is 10 mg once daily for obsessive-compulsive disorder

Administration

• Administered once daily, morning or evening
• May be taken with or without food

Interaction

• SSRI or related antidepressants should not be started until 2 weeks after stopping an MAOI
• An MAOI should not be started until at least a week after an SSRI or related antidepressant has been stopped

Contraindications

• Contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to Escitalopram or Citalopram or any of the inactive ingredients of the drug product
• Concomitant use of escitalopram in patients taking monoamine oxidase/pimozide is contraindicated

Side effects

• Less sedating and have fewer antimuscarinic and cardiotoxic effects than tricyclic antidepressants
• Side-effects include nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, anorexia with weight loss, increased appetite and weight gain, hypersensitivity reactions including rash, urticaria, angioedema, anaphylaxis, arthralgia, myalgia, and photosensitivity, dry mouth, nervousness, anxiety, headache, insomnia, tremor, dizziness, asthenia, hallucinations, drowsiness, convulsions, galactorrhea, sexual dysfunction, urinary retention, sweating, hypomania or mania, movement disorders and dyskinesias, visual disturbances

Precautions warnings

• Use with caution in patients with epilepsy, concurrent electroconvulsive therapy, history of mania, cardiac disease, diabetes mellitus, angle-closure glaucoma, concomitant use of drugs that increase risk of bleeding, history of bleeding disorders, hepatic and renal impairment

Special populations

• Elderly patients (>65 years of age) - Initial dosage is 5 mg once daily
• Children and adolescents (<18 years) - Not to be used in the treatment of children and adolescents under the age of 18 years
• Reduced renal function - Dosage adjustment is not necessary in patients with mild or moderate renal impairment
• Reduced hepatic function - An initial dose of 5 mg daily for the first two weeks of treatment is recommended in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment
• Poor metabolizers of CYP2C19 - Initial dose of 5 mg daily during the first two weeks of treatment is recommended

Pregnancy lactation

• Consider potential risks and benefits when treating a pregnant woman with Escitalopram during the third trimester
• Excreted in human breast milk, consider the risk of citalopram exposure for the infant and the benefits of Escitalopram treatment for the mother

Overdose effects

• Symptoms seen in a reported overdose including central nervous system symptoms, gastrointestinal system symptoms, cardiovascular system symptoms, electrolyte/fluid balance conditions
• No specific antidote, general symptomatic supportive measures recommended

Therapeutic class

SSRIs & related anti-depressant drugs

Storage conditions

Store below 30°C temperature and protect from light & moisture. Keep the medicine out of the reach of children

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