If you have taken more escitalopram than the dosage recommended by the doctor who prescribed it to you, you must get medical help immediately – even if you do not feel any different.
As part of depression, some people think about hurting themselves or taking their own lives. Taking an antidepressant may not stop this. You must get some urgent help if you are having these sorts of thoughts. Speak to someone who is looking after you or go straight to hospital with your tablets.
Escitalopram can cause serious side effects like allergic reactions (difficulty breathing, swelling of your face or throat, itching skin lumps). Go to a hospital if you get any of these symptoms, taking your medicine with you.
Young people under 25 have an increased risk of trying to take their own lives, thinking about taking their own lives, and hostility (mostly aggression, oppositional behaviour and anger) when they take escitalopram. Therefore, it is not licensed for people under 18 years.
If you are under 18, you may still be prescribed escitalopram if you and your doctor have decided that the benefits outweigh the risks for you. Make sure that you have planned what to do if you experience any side effects from taking escitalopram and ask family and friends to support you during your treatment.
Stopping escitalopram suddenly can cause unpleasant withdrawal effects. Go to your doctor if you want to stop, or if you are having these effects.
You might feel sleepy in the first few days after taking escitalopram. Do not drive a car, ride a bike or operate machines until you see how this affects you.
If you take escitalopram while you are pregnant, it is unlikely to affect the developing baby.
Escitalopram sometimes causes symptoms in newborn babies that affect their breathing. Talk to your doctor and midwife so that your baby can be closely monitored after birth.
In most cases you should be able to breastfeed as normal.
Escitalopram does not mix well with some other medicines and drugs. Do not take escitalopram if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor antidepressant (MAOI) like moclobemide, phenelzine, isocarboxazid or tranylcypromine in the last 14 days.