Esita 5 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

• Orally administered selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
• S-enantiomer of the racemic bicyclic phthalate derivative citalopram
• At least 100 fold more potent than the R-enantiomer in inhibiting 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
• Usual dosage of 10 mg once daily for major depressive episodes
• Initial dose of 5 mg recommended for panic disorder before increasing to 10 mg daily
• Usual dosage of 10 mg once daily for social anxiety disorder
• Initial dosage of 10 mg once daily for generalised anxiety disorder
• Initial dosage of 10 mg once daily for obsessive-compulsive disorder

Administration

• Administered once daily, morning or evening with or without food

Interaction

• SSRI or related antidepressants should not be started until 2 weeks after stopping an MAOI

Contraindications

• Contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to Escitalopram or Citalopram

Side Effects

• Less sedating and have fewer antimuscarinic and cardiotoxic effects than tricyclic antidepressants
• Includes gastrointestinal effects, anorexia with weight loss, hypersensitivity reactions, dry mouth, nervousness, anxiety, headache, insomnia, tremor, dizziness, asthenia, hallucinations, galactorrhoea, sexual dysfunction, urinary retention, and visual disturbances

Pregnancy & Lactation

• Carefully consider potential risks and benefits of treatment during the third trimester
• Excreted in human breast milk, decision on nursing should take into account risk of exposure for the infant and treatment benefits for the mother

Precautions & Warnings

• Use with caution in patients with epilepsy, cardiac disease, diabetes mellitus, angle-closure glaucoma, and hepatic and renal impairment

Use in Special Populations

• Elderly patients should have initial dosage of 5 mg once daily
• Not recommended for children and adolescents under the age of 18 years
• Dosage adjustment may be necessary in patients with severely reduced renal or hepatic function
• Initial dose of 5 mg daily for poor metabolizers of CYP2C19

Overdose Effects

• Central nervous system symptoms include dizziness, tremor, agitation, serotonin syndrome, convulsion, and coma
• Gastrointestinal symptoms include nausea and vomiting
• Cardiovascular symptoms include hypotension, tachycardia, QT interval prolongation, and arrhythmia
• Electrolyte/fluid balance conditions include hypokalaemia and hyponatremia

Therapeutic Class

• SSRIs & related anti-depressant drugs

Storage Conditions

• Store below 30°C temperature and protect from light & moisture

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