What are the possible side effects of escitalopram tablets?
Escitalopram tablets may cause serious side effects, including:
• See “What is the most important information I should know about escitalopram tablets?”
• Serotonin syndrome. A potentially life-threatening problem called serotonin syndrome can happen when escitalopram tablets is taken with certain other medicines. See “Do not take escitalopram tablets if you?” Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you or your child have any of the following signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome:
o agitation
o seeing or hearing things that are not real (hallucinations)
o confusion
o coma
o fast heartbeat
o blood pressure changes
o sweating
o flushing
o shaking (tremors), stiff muscles, or muscle twitching
o dizziness
o seizures
o high body temperature (hyperthermia)
o nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
o loss of coordination
• Discontinuation syndrome. Suddenly stopping escitalopram tablets may cause you or your child to have serious side effects.
Your healthcare provider may want to decrease the dose slowly. Symptoms may include:
o changes in mood
o irritability and agitation
o dizziness
o electric shock sensation (paresthesia)
o anxiety
o confusion
o headache
o tiredness
o problems sleeping
o hypomania
o ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
o seizures
• Seizures (convulsions).
• Manic episodes. Manic episodes may happen in people with bipolar disorder who take escitalopram tablets. Symptoms may include:
o greatly increased energy
o severe trouble sleeping
o racing thoughts
o reckless behavior
o unusually grand ideas
o excessive happiness or irritability
o talking more or faster than usual
• Low sodium levels in the blood (hyponatremia). Low sodium levels in the blood that may be serious and may cause death can happen during treatment with escitalopram tablets. Elderly people and people who take certain medicines may be at greater risk for developing low sodium levels in the blood. Signs and symptoms may include:
o headache
o problems concentrating or thinking
o weakness or feeling unsteady which can lead to falls
o confusion
o memory problems
In more severe or more sudden cases, signs and symptoms include:
o seeing or hearing things that are not real (hallucinations)
o seizures
o stopping breathing (respiratory arrest)
o fainting
o coma
• Increased risk of bleeding: Taking escitalopram tablets with aspirin, NSAIDS, warfarin, or other blood thinners may add to this risk. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any unusual bleeding or bruising.
• Visual problems (angle-closure glaucoma). Escitalopram tablets may cause a type of eye problem called angle-closure glaucoma in people with certain eye problems. You or your child may want to undergo an eye examination to see if you are at risk and receive preventative treatment if you are. Call your healthcare provider if you or your child have:
o eye pain
o changes in vision
o swelling or redness in or around the eye
• Sexual problems (dysfunction). Taking escitalopram tablets may cause sexual problems.
Symptoms in males may include:
o delayed ejaculation or inability to have an ejaculation o decreased sex drive
o problems getting or keeping an erection
Symptoms in females may include:
o decreased sex drive
o delayed orgasm or inability to have an orgasm
Talk to your healthcare provider if you develop any changes in your sexual function or if you have any questions or concerns about sexual problems during treatment with escitalopram. There may be treatments your healthcare provider can suggest.
The most common side effects of escitalopram tablets include:
• trouble sleeping
• sweating
• decreased sex drive
• delayed ejaculation
• nausea
• tiredness
• sleepiness
• delayed orgasm or inability to have an orgasm
Height and weight changes in children may happen during treatment with escitalopram tablets. Your child’s height and weight should be monitored during treatment with escitalopram tablets.
These are not all the possible side effects of escitalopram tablets.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
|