Escitalopram should not be given to people under 25 due to an increased risk of suicidal behavior (suicide attempts and suicidal ideation), hostility (with a predominance of aggressive behavior, a tendency to confrontation and irritability).
If the clinical situation still requires the appointment of such treatment, the patient should be carefully monitored for the timely detection of suicidal symptoms.
Paradoxical anxiety
In some patients with panic disorders, anxiety may occur at the onset of antidepressant treatment.
Such a paradoxical reaction usually disappears within 2 weeks after the initiation of therapy. To reduce the likelihood of anxiogenic effect, it is recommended to start therapy with a minimum recommended therapeutic dose.
Convulsive Pregnancy
The use of escitalopram should be discontinued if the patient develops a seizure for the first time or attacks become more frequent (in patients with established diagnosis of epilepsy). SSRIs should be avoided in patients with unstable epilepsy, and patients with controlled epilepsy must be closely monitored.
Mania
SSRIs should be used with caution in patients with a history of mania / hypomania. When a patient has a manic condition, the SSRI should be canceled.
Suicide / suicidal thoughts or clinical worsening of depressive conditions
Depression is associated with an increased risk of suicide, suicidal thoughts and self-harm (suicidal actions). This risk persists until a stable remission is achieved. As the condition improves within 2-4 weeks of treatment, patients should be carefully monitored during the first weeks of therapy. It is known that the risk of suicide may increase in the early stages of recovery.
Other mental disorders in which escitalopram, may also be associated with an increased risk of suicidal actions.In addition, these conditions can be accompanied by a large depressive disorder. Such precautions are necessary adhere to and in the treatment of other mental disorders due to the possibility of simultaneous development of a major depressive disorder.
Also, drug therapy should be accompanied by careful monitoring of patients after a dose change. Patients (and those who care for them) need to be warned about the need to monitor the manifestation of suicidal actions and seek emergency help if symptoms occur.
Serotonin syndrome
Caution should be exercised when co-administration of escitalopram and serotonergic drugs, such as sumatriptan, other substances of the triptane group, tramadol and tryptophan. However, the development of serotonin syndrome in patients receiving both serotonergic drugs and SSRIs was extremely rare.
The development of this syndrome may indicate such signs as agitation, tremor, myoclonus and hyperthermia. In this case, simultaneous reception of SSRIs and serotonergic drugs should be stopped immediately and symptomatic therapy should be started.
Akathisia and psychomotor agitation
When SSRIs were used, there were cases of development of akathisia characterized by a constant or recurring feeling of internal motor anxiety and manifested in the inability of the patient to stay in one position for a long time or to remain without movement for a long time. In most cases, these symptoms develop within a few weeks after the initiation of therapy. The increase in dose in this case is undesirable.
Diabetes
In patients with diabetes mellitus, the treatment of SSRIs can alter the glucose level in the blood. Therefore, it may be necessary to adjust the dosages of insulin and / or oral hypoglycemic drugs.
Hyponatremia
When SSRIs were used, there were cases of development of hyponatremia, which is possibly associated with a violation of the secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). For this reason, SSRIs should be used with caution in appointing persons at risk of developing hyponatremia: elderly, with cirrhosis of the liver, and taking drugs that can cause hyponatraemia.
Hemorrhages
When SSRIs were used, cases of development of skin hemorrhages were observed: ecchymosis and purpura.It is necessary to use SSRIs with caution in patients with a tendency to bleeding, as well as taking oral anticoagulants and drugs that affect blood clotting (for example, atypical antipsychotics and phenothiazines, most tricyclic antidepressants, acetylsalicylic acid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ticlopidine and dipyridamole).
ECT (electroconvulsive therapy)
Because clinical experience The simultaneous use of SSRIs and ECTs is limited, in such cases care should be taken.
St. John's wort perforated (Hypericum perforatum)
Simultaneous administration of escitalopram and preparations containing St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), may lead to an increase in the number of side effects.
Symptoms of "cancellation"
When discontinuing treatment (especially sudden), symptoms of "cancellation" usually arise. During clinical trials, side effects associated with discontinuation of treatment were noted in approximately 25% of patients in the escitalopram group and in 15% of the placebo group.
The risk of withdrawal symptoms depends on several factors, in particular the duration of therapy, the dose, and the gradual reduction of the dose.
Dizziness, sensory disturbances (including paresthesia and sensation of electric shock), sleep disorders (including insomnia and vivid dreams), agitation or anxiety, nausea and / or vomiting, tremors, confusion, increased sweating, headache, diarrhea, tachycardia, emotional instability, irritability and visual impairment were noted as the most frequent reactions. Typically, these symptoms are mild or moderate in severity and transient, but some patients may be severe and / or prolonged. Thus, it is recommended that the use of escitalopram be gradually phased out by lowering the dose for several weeks or several months, depending on the patient's condition.
Coronary heart disease
Due to the limited clinical experience, caution is needed in the treatment of patients with coronary heart disease.
Interval lengthening QT
Determined that escitalopram causes dose-dependent lengthening of the interval QT. During the postmarketing period, cases of lengthening of the interval QT, in particular ventricular arrhythmia, predominantly in female patients with hypokalemia or pre-existing lengthening of the interval QT or other heart diseases.
It is recommended to be used with caution in patients with significant bradycardia or with recent acute myocardial infarction or uncompensated heart failure.
Electrolyte disorders, such as hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia, increase the risk of malignant arrhythmias, and they should be corrected before starting treatment with escitalopram.
In the treatment of patients with stable heart disease, ECG should be revised before treatment begins.
If there are signs of cardiac arrhythmia during treatment with escitalopram, stop treatment and make an ECG.
Closed-angle glaucoma
SSRIs, including escitalopram, can cause a dilated pupil (mydriasis). This mydriatic effect is able to narrow the angle of the eye, which increases intraocular pressure and angle-closure glaucoma, especially in patients who have previously had these diseases. For this reason escitalopram should be used with caution in patients with a closed-angle glaucoma or glaucoma in the anamnesis.