Consumer medicine information

Escitalopram AN Tablets

Escitalopram

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Escitalopram AN Tablets

Active ingredient

Escitalopram

Schedule

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about Escitalopram AN.

It does not contain all of the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have benefits and risks. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Escitalopram AN against the benefits they expect it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with your medicine.

You may need to read it again.

What Escitalopram AN is used for

Escitalopram AN is used to treat depression.

It belongs to a group of medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). They are thought to work by their actions on brain chemicals called amines which are involved in controlling mood.

Depression is longer lasting or more severe than the "low moods" everyone has from time to time due to the stress of everyday life. It is thought to be caused by a chemical imbalance in parts of the brain.

This imbalance affects your whole body and can cause emotional and physical symptoms such as feeling low in spirit, loss of interest in activities, being unable to enjoy life, poor appetite or overeating, disturbed sleep, often waking up early, loss of sex drive, lack of energy and feeling guilty over nothing.

Escitalopram AN corrects this chemical imbalance and may help relieve the symptoms of depression.

Your doctor, however, may prescribe it for another purpose.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why it has been prescribed for you.

This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.

Escitalopram AN is not addictive. However, if you suddenly stop taking it, you may get side effects.

Tell your doctor if you get any side effects after stopping Escitalopram AN.

Before you take Escitalopram AN

When you must not take it

Do not take Escitalopram AN if you are allergic to it, to any medicine containing citalopram, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, or rash, itching or hives on the skin.

Do not take Escitalopram AN at the same time as the following other medicines:

Pimozide, a medicine used to treat mental disorders
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI’s) which are also used for the treatment of depression.
Do not take Escitalopram AN when you are taking a MAOI or when you have been taking a MAOI within the last 14 days.
Taking Escitalopram AN with MAOIs or the reversible MAOI (RIMA), moclobemide, and on discontinuation of SSRI with immediate start of MAOI may cause a serious reaction such as potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome (characterised by neuromuscular excitation, altered mental status and autonomic dysfunction). Your doctor will know when it is safe to start Escitalopram AN after the MAOI has been stopped.

Do not take it after the expiry date printed on the pack.

If you take it after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.

Do not take it if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

Before you start to take it

Tell your doctor if:

You have allergies to any other substances such as foods, preservatives or dyes
You are pregnant or intend to become pregnant
Do not take Escitalopram AN if you are pregnant unless you and your doctor have discussed the risks and benefits involved. If you take this medicine during the last three months of your pregnancy, the general condition of your newborn baby might be affected.
You are breast feeding or plan to breast feed
Do not take Escitalopram AN if you are breast feeding unless you and your doctor have discussed the risks and benefits involved. It is not recommended that you breast feed while taking Escitalopram AN as it is excreted in breast milk.
You have, or have had, the following medical conditions:
- A tendency to bleed or bruise easily
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Bipolar disorder (manic depression)
- A history of seizures or fits
- Restlessness and/or a need to move often
You are receiving electroconvulsive therapy

Do not give Escitalopram AN to a child or adolescent.

There is no experience with its use in children or adolescents under 18 years old.

Escitalopram AN can be given to elderly patients over 65 years of age with a reduced dose.

The effects of Escitalopram AN in elderly patients are similar to that in other patients.

If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you use Escitalopram AN.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines and Escitalopram AN may interfere with each other.

These include:

Buproprion, a medicine helping to treat nicotine dependence
Medicines used to treat reflux and ulcers, such as cimetidine, omeprazole, esomeprazole and lansoprazole
Medicines known to prolong bleeind, e.g. asprin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s)
Ticlopidine and warfarin, medicines used to prevent blood clots
Mefloquine, an anti-malaria medicine
Sumatriptan, used to treat migraines
Tramadol, used to relieve pain
Medicines affecting the chemicals in the brain
Some heart medications, e.g. flecainide, propafenone, metoprolol
Tryptophan, an amino acid
Lithium, used to treat mood swings and some types of depression
Antipsychotics, a class of medicines used to treat certain mental and emotional conditions, e.g risperidone, thioridazine and haloperidol
Tricyclin antidepressants, e.g. imipramine, desipramine
St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), a herbal remedy
Any other medicines for depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder or pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder.

These medicines may be affected by Escitalopram AN, or may affect how well it works. You may need to use different amounts of your medicines, or take different medicines. Your doctor will advise you.

Some combinations of medicines may increase the risk of serious side effects and are potentially life-threatening.

Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Escitalopram AN.

How to take it

How much to take

Your doctor will decide what dose you will receive.

The standard dose for this medicine is 10 mg per day. This may be increased by your doctor to 20 mg per day.

The recommended maximum dose in elderly patients is 10 mg per day.

It is recommended that patients with liver disease receive an initial dose of 5 mg daily for the first two weeks.

Your doctor may increase the dose to 10 mg daily.

Your doctor may have prescribed a different dose.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure of the correct dose for you.

They will tell you exactly how much to take.

Follow the instructions they give you.

If you take the wrong dose, Escitalopram AN may not work as well and your condition may not improve.

How to take it

Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water.

Do not chew the tablets.

When to take it

Take Escitalopram AN as a single dose either in the morning or in the evening.

Take Escitalopram AN with or without food.

How long to take it

Continue to take Escitalopram AN even if it takes some time before you feel any improvement in your condition.

As with other medicines for the treatment of these conditions it may take a few weeks before you feel any improvement.

Individuals will vary greatly in their response to Escitalopram AN. Your doctor will check your progress at regular intervals.

The duration of treatment may vary for each individual, but is usually at least 6 months.

In some cases the doctor may decide that longer treatment is necessary.

Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you, even if you begin to feel better.

The underlying illness may persist for a long time and if you stop your treatment too soon, your symptoms may return.

Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly.

If Escitalopram AN is stopped suddenly you may experience mild, but usually temporary, symptoms such as dizziness, pins and needles, electric shock sensations, sleep disturbances (vivid dreams, inability to sleep), feeling anxious or agitated, headaches, feeling sick (nausea), vomiting, sweating, tremor (shaking), feeling confused, feeling emotional or irritable, diarrhoea, visual disturbances, or fast or irregular heart beats.

When you have completed your course of treatment, the dose of Escitalopram AN is gradually reduced over a couple of weeks rather than stopped abruptly.

Your doctor will tell you how to reduce the dosage so that you do not get these unwanted effects.

If you forget to take it

If you miss a dose and remember in less than 12 hours, take it straight away, and then go back to taking it as you would normally.

Otherwise, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take the next dose when you are meant to.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you have missed.

If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for hints.

If you take too much (overdose)

Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much Escitalopram AN. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

You may need urgent medical attention.

Symptoms of an overdose may include dizziness, low blood pressure, nausea (feeling sick), vomiting, agitation, tremor (shaking) and rarely convulsions and coma.

While you are taking it

Things you must do

If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Escitalopram AN.

Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking this medicine.

If you become pregnant while taking Escitalopram AN, tell your doctor immediately.

Persons taking Escitalopram AN may be more likely to think about killing themselves or actually trying to do so, especially when Escitalopram AN is first started or the dose is changed. Tell your doctor immediately if you have thoughts about killing yourself or if you are close to or care for someone using Escitalopram AN who talks about or shows signs of killing him or herself.

All mentions of suicide or violence must be taken seriously.

Occasionally, the symptoms of depression may include thoughts of suicide or self-harm. It is possible that these symptoms continue or get worse until the full antidepressant effect of the medicine becomes apparent. This is more likely to occur if you are a young adult, i.e. 18 to 24 years of age, and you have not used antidepressant medicines before.

Patients and care givers should pay attention for any of the following warning signs of suicide related behaviour while taking Escitalopram AN.

Tell your doctor immediately, or even go to the nearest hospital for treatment if you:

Have thoughts or talk of death or suicide
Have thoughts or talk of self harm or harm to others
Any recent attempts of self harm
Increase in aggressive behaviour, irritability or agitation

Do not stop taking this medicine or change the dose without consulting your doctor, even if you experience increased anxiety at the beginning of treatment.

At the beginning of treatment, some patients may experience increased anxiety which will disappear during continued treatment.

Tell your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms such as restlessness or difficulty in sitting or standing still.

These symptoms can occur during the first weeks of treatment.

Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you suddenly experience an episode of mania.

Some patients with bipolar disorder (manic depression) may enter into a manic phase. This is characterised by profuse and rapidly changing ideas, exaggerated gaiety and excessive physical activity.

Sometimes you may be unaware of the above-mentioned symptoms and therefore you may find it helpful to ask a friend or relative to help you to observe the possible signs of change in your behaviour.

Things you must not do

Do not give the tablets to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

Do not take Escitalopram AN to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

Do not stop taking Escitalopram AN, or lower the dosage, without checking with your doctor.

Do not let yourself run out of medicine over the weekend or on holidays.

Suddenly stopping Escitalopram AN may cause unwanted discontinuation symptoms such as dizziness, headache and nausea.

Your doctor will tell you when and how Escitalopram AN should be discontinued.

Your doctor will gradually reduce the amount you are using, usually over a period of one to two weeks, before stopping completely.

Things to be careful of

Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Escitalopram AN affects you.

It may cause nausea, fatigue and dizziness in some people, especially early in the treatment. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous.

Avoid alcohol while you are taking this medicine.

It is not advisable to drink alcohol while you are being treated for depression.

Side effects

All medicines may have some unwanted side effects. Sometimes they are serious, but most of the time they are not. Your doctor has weighed the risks of using this medicine against the benefits he/she expects it will have for you.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Escitalopram AN.

It helps most people with depression but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people.

The side effects of Escitalopram AN are, in general, mild and disappear after a short period of time.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

decreased appetite or loss of appetite
dry mouth
diarrhoea
nausea (feeling sick)
sleeplessness
fatigue, sleepiness or drowsiness, yawning
increased sweating
sexual disturbances (decreased sexual drive; problems with ejaculation or erection; women may experience difficulties achieving orgasm).

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:

agitation, confusion, panic attacks*, anxiety, restlessness*
dizziness
dizziness when you stand up due to low blood pressure*
low sodium levels in the blood (the symptoms are feeling sick and unwell with weak muscles or feeling confused)*
abnormal liver function tests (increased amounts of liver enzymes in the blood)*
difficulties urinating*
unusual secretion of breast milk*
increased tendency to develop bruises*
rash, itching, patches or circumscribed swellings

These may be serious side effects of Escitalopram AN. You may need urgent medical attention.

Tell your doctor immediately, or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you notice any of the following:

serious allergic reaction (symptoms of an allergic reaction may include swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing, or hives)
high fever, agitation, confusion, trembling and abrupt contraction of muscles (these symptoms may be signs of a rare condition called serotonin syndrome)*
mania* hallucinations
seisures, tremors, movement disorders (involuntary movement of the muscles)*

These are very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.

*The side effects marked with an asterisk (*) are a number of rare side effects that are known to occur with medicines that work in a similar way to Escitalopram AN.

Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.

Other side effects not listed above may occur in some people.

Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.

You may not experience any of them.

After taking Escitalopram AN

Storage

Keep Escitalopram AN in the blister pack until it is time to take them.

If you take the tablets out of the box or the blister pack they may not keep well.

Keep Escitalopram AN in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.

Do not store it or any other medicine in the bathroom, near a sink, or on a window-sill. Do not leave it in the car.

Heat and damp can destroy some medicines.

Keep it where children cannot reach it.

A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Disposal

If your doctor tells you to stop taking Escitalopram AN, or your tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any that are left over. Return any unused medicine to your pharmacist.

Product description

What it looks like

Escitalopram AN comes in two strengths:

Escitalopram AN 10 mg (AUST R 190287) are white to off white, oval, biconvex, film-coated tablets with breakline on one side and plain on the other side having approximate dimensions, length about 8.0 mm and width about 5.5 mm.
Escitalopram AN 20 mg (AUST R 190288) are white to off white, oval, biconvex, film-coated tablets with breakline on one side and plain on the other side having approximate dimensions length about 11.5 mm and width about 7.0 mm.

Ingredients

Active Ingredient:

Escitalopram AN 10 mg - contains 10 mg escitalopram (as oxalate) per tablet
Escitalopram AN 20 mg - contains 20 mg escitalopram (as oxalate) per tablet

Other Ingredients:

microcrystalline cellulose
croscarmellose sodium
hypromellose
macrogol 400
magnesium stearate
colloidal anhydrous silica
purified talc
titanium dioxide

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start taking Escitalopram AN. You may wish to keep it to read again.

Name and Address of the Sponsor

Scentia Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd
8 - 12 Ordish Road
Dandenong South,
VIC - 3175
Australia

Date of Preparation

February 2014

Doc ID: 58.AN.M.1.0

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Escitalopram AN Tablets

Active ingredient

Escitalopram

Schedule

Name of the medicine

Escitalopram oxalate.

Excipients.

Microcrystalline cellulose, colloidal anhydrous silica, purified talc, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, macrogol 400 and titanium dioxide.

Description

Chemical name: S-(+)-1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran-5-carbonitrile hydrogen oxalate. Molecular formula: C₂₀H₂₁FN₂O,C₂H₂O₄. Molecular weight: 414.42. CAS: 219861-08-2.
Escitalopram is the active enantiomer (S-enantiomer) of citalopram. Escitalopram oxalate is a fine white to yellow, crystalline material. Escitalopram oxalate is sparingly soluble in water, slightly soluble in acetone, soluble in ethanol and freely soluble in methanol. No polymorphic forms have been detected.
Escitalopram AN tablets 10 mg are white to off white, oval, biconvex, film-coated tablets with breakline on one side and plain on the other side having approximate dimensions length about 8.0 mm and width about 5.5 mm.
Escitalopram AN tablets 20 mg are white to off white, oval, biconvex, film-coated tablets with breakline on one side and plain on the other side having approximate dimensions, length about 11.5 mm and width about 7.0 mm.

Pharmacology

Biochemical and behavioural studies have shown that escitalopram is a potent inhibitor of serotonin (5HT) uptake (in vitro IC₅₀ 2 nanoM). The antidepressant action of escitalopram is presumably linked to the potentiation of serotonergic activity in the central nervous system (CNS) resulting from its inhibitory effect on the reuptake of 5HT from the synaptic cleft.
Escitalopram is a highly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). On the basis of in vitro studies, escitalopram had no, or minimal effect on noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA) and gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) uptake.
In contrast to many tricyclic antidepressants and some of the SSRIs, escitalopram has no or very low affinity for a series of receptors including 5HT_1A, 5HT₂, DA D₁ and DA D₂ receptors, α₁, α₂, β-adrenoceptors, histamine H₁, muscarine cholinergic, benzodiazepine, and opioid receptors. A series of functional in vitro tests in isolated organs as well as functional in vivo tests have confirmed the lack of receptor affinity.
Escitalopram has high affinity for the primary binding site and an allosteric modulating effect on the serotonin transporter.
Allosteric modulation of the serotonin transporter enhances binding of escitalopram to the primary binding site, resulting in more complete serotonin reuptake inhibition.
Escitalopram is the S-enantiomer of the racemate (citalopram) and is the enantiomer to which the therapeutic activity is attributed. Pharmacological studies have shown that the R-enantiomer is not inert but counteracts the serotonin enhancing properties of the S-enantiomer in citalopram.
In healthy volunteers and in patients escitalopram did not cause clinically significant changes in vital signs, ECGs, or laboratory parameters.
S-demethylcitalopram, the main plasma metabolite, attains about 30% of parent compound levels after oral dosing and is about 5-fold less potent at inhibiting 5HT reuptake than escitalopram in vitro. It is therefore unlikely to contribute significantly to the overall antidepressant effect.

Pharmacokinetics.

Absorption.

Data specific to escitalopram are unavailable. Absorption is expected to be almost complete and independent of food intake (mean T_max is 4 hours after multiple dosing).
While the absolute bioavailability of escitalopram has not been studied, it is unlikely to differ significantly from that of racemic citalopram (about 80%).

Distribution.

The apparent volume of distribution (V_d,β/F) after oral administration is about 12 to 26 L/kg. The binding of escitalopram to human plasma proteins is independent of drug plasma levels and averages 55%.

Metabolism.

Escitalopram is metabolised in the liver to the demethylated and didemethylated metabolites. Alternatively, the nitrogen may be oxidised to form the N-oxide metabolite. Both parent and metabolites are partly excreted as glucuronides. Unchanged escitalopram is the predominant compound in plasma. After multiple dosing the mean concentrations of the demethyl and didemethyl metabolites are usually 28-31% and < 5% of the escitalopram concentration, respectively. Biotransformation of escitalopram to the demethylated metabolite is mediated by a combination of CYP2C19, CYP3A4 and CYP2D6.

Elimination/ excretion.

The elimination half-life (t_½β) after multiple dosing is about 30 hours and the oral plasma clearance (Cl_oral) is about 0.6 L/min.
Escitalopram and major metabolites are, like racemic citalopram, assumed to be eliminated both by the hepatic (metabolic) and the renal routes with the major part of the dose excreted as metabolites in urine. Approximately 8.0% of escitalopram is eliminated unchanged in urine and 9.6% as the S-demethylcitalopram metabolite based on 20 mg escitalopram data. Hepatic clearance is mainly by the P450 enzyme system.
The pharmacokinetics of escitalopram are linear over the clinical dosage range. Steady state plasma levels are achieved in about 1 week. Average steady state concentrations of 50 nanomol/L (range 20 to 125 nanomol/L) are achieved at a daily dose of 10 mg.

Reduced hepatic function.

In patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh criteria A and B), the half-life of escitalopram was about twice as long and the exposure was about 60% higher than in subjects with normal liver function (see Precautions and Dosage and Administration).

Reduced renal function.

While there is no specific data, the use of escitalopram in reduced renal function may be extrapolated from that of racemic citalopram. Escitalopram is expected to be eliminated more slowly in patients with mild to moderate reduction of renal function with no major impact on the escitalopram concentrations in serum. At present no information is available for the treatment of patients with severely reduced renal function (creatinine clearance < 20 mL/min).

Elderly patients (> 65 years).

Escitalopram pharmacokinetics in subjects > 65 years of age were compared to younger subjects in a single dose and a multiple dose study. Escitalopram AUC and half-life were increased by approximately 50% in elderly subjects, and C_max was unchanged. 10 mg is the recommended dose for elderly patients.

Gender.

In a multiple dose study of escitalopram (10 mg/day for 3 weeks) in 18 male (9 elderly and 9 young) and 18 female (9 elderly and 9 young) subjects, there were no differences in AUC, C_max and half-life between the male and female subjects. No adjustment of dosage on the basis of gender is needed.

Polymorphism.

It has been observed that poor metabolisers with respect to CYP2C19 have twice as high a plasma concentration of escitalopram as extensive metabolisers. No significant change in exposure was observed in poor metabolisers with respect to CYP2D6 (see Dosage and Administration).

Clinical Trials

Escitalopram oxalate tablets should not be used for the treatment of major depression, generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder in children and adolescents under the age of 18 years since the safety and efficacy in this population have not been established.

Major depression.

Escitalopram oxalate tablets should not be used in the treatment of children and adolescents under the age of 18 years.
Two fixed dose studies and one flexible dose study have shown escitalopram in the dose range 10-20 mg/day to be more efficacious than placebo in the treatment of depression.
All three studies were randomised, double blind, parallel group, placebo controlled, multicentre studies. Two of the studies included an active reference (citalopram). All three studies consisted of a 1 week single blind placebo lead in period followed by an 8 week double blind treatment period.
Patients were required to have depression with a minimum score of 22 on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) at both the screening and baseline visits. The MADRS consists of 10 items that measure core symptoms of depression, such as sadness, tension, pessimism and suicidal thoughts. Each item is rated on a scale of 0 (no abnormality) to 6 (severe). The populations studied were therefore defined as suffering from moderate to severe depression (mean MADRS score 29). A total of 591 patients received escitalopram in these studies.
All three studies showed escitalopram to be statistically significantly superior to placebo on the ITT LOCF analysis of the mean change from baseline in the MADRS total score (p ≤ 0.01). The magnitude of the difference between escitalopram and placebo in the MADRS change score ranged from 2.7 to 4.6 (mean of these values: 3.6). The magnitude of the difference for citalopram ranged from 1.5 to 2.5 (mean of these values: 2.0). The magnitude of the difference is larger with escitalopram than with citalopram.
Escitalopram demonstrated a significant early difference compared to placebo from week 2 onwards on the MADRS (week 1 in observed cases analysis). Likewise, the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement items (CGI-I) differed significantly from placebo from week 1 onwards. These early differences were not seen with racemic citalopram.
In the study with two parallel escitalopram dose groups, analysis of subgroups of patients showed a trend towards greater improvement in patients with severe major depressive disorder (HAM-D > 25) receiving 20 mg/day as compared to 10 mg/day. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) consists of 17 to 24 items reflecting core symptoms of depression. Each item is scored on a 3, 4, or 5 point scale with 0 reflecting no symptoms and higher scores reflecting increasing symptom severity.
In a fourth flexible dose study with a similar design, the primary analysis did not distinguish a significant drug/ placebo difference for either escitalopram or citalopram over 8 weeks on the MADRS change score in the LOCF dataset. However, on the basis of the OC analysis, both escitalopram and citalopram were significantly better than placebo (p ≤ 0.05; difference between escitalopram and placebo: 2.9).
Escitalopram demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of anxiety symptoms associated with depression. In the three positive double blind placebo controlled studies escitalopram was shown to be effective compared to placebo on the MADRS anxiety items; inner tension and sleep disturbances. Furthermore, in the one study where the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) and the anxiety factor of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D scale) were used, results have shown that escitalopram was significantly better than placebo.
In a relapse prevention trial, 274 patients meeting (DSM-IV) criteria for major depressive disorder, who had responded during an initial 8 week open label treatment phase with escitalopram 10 or 20 mg/day, were randomised to continuation of escitalopram at the same dose, or to placebo, for up to 36 weeks of observation for relapse. Response during the open label phase was defined as a decrease of the MADRS total score to ≤ 12.
Relapse during the double blind phase was defined as an increase of the MADRS total score to ≥ 22, or discontinuation due to insufficient clinical response. Patients receiving continued escitalopram experienced a significantly longer time to relapse over the subsequent 36 weeks compared to those receiving placebo (26% vs. 40%; hazard ratio = 0.56, p = 0.013).
Further evidence of long-term efficacy is provided in a 6 month study which compared escitalopram 10 mg/day to citalopram 20 mg/day over a 6 month treatment period. Analysis of the primary endpoint (the development of the MADRS total scores over 24 weeks) demonstrated escitalopram to be at least as efficacious as citalopram in the long-term treatment of depression. Secondary analyses showed that, while both treatments resulted in numerical improvements in ratings in the MADRS, HAM-A and the CGI, escitalopram was statistically superior to citalopram in several analyses, both during and at the end of the study.
Additional supportive evidence of the sustained efficacy of escitalopram treatment is demonstrated in an open-label 12 month study. The efficacy of escitalopram was maintained throughout the study, as measured by the MADRS total score and CGI-S score. Patients showed continued improvement, with total MADRS scores falling from 14.2 at baseline to 5.8 at last assessment, and CGI scores falling from 2.7 at baseline to 1.6 at last assessment.
A study in the elderly did not provide conclusive efficacy results for escitalopram, as the reference drug (fluoxetine) failed to differentiate from placebo. However, safety data from this study showed escitalopram to be well tolerated.

Indications

Treatment of major depression.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to citalopram, escitalopram and any excipients in Escitalopram AN tablets (see Excipients).

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

Escitalopram should not be used in combination with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) or the reversible MAOI (RIMA), moclobemide, or within 14 days of discontinuing treatment with a MAOI, and at least one day after discontinuing treatment with the reversible MAOI (RIMA), moclobemide. Similarly, at least 14 days should be allowed after stopping escitalopram before starting a MAOI or RIMA. Cases of serious reactions, such as potentially life threatening serotonin syndrome (characterised by neuromuscular excitation, altered mental status and autonomic dysfunction) have been reported in patients receiving an SSRI in combination with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or the reversible MAOI (RIMA), moclobemide, and in patients who have recently discontinued an SSRI and have been started on a MAOI (see Precautions, Interactions with Other Medicines).

Pimozide.

Concomitant use in patients taking pimozide is contraindicated (see Interactions with Other Medicines).

Precautions

Clinical worsening and suicide risk.

The risk of suicide attempt is inherent in depression and may persist until significant remission occurs. This risk must be considered in all depressed patients.
Patients with depression may experience worsening of their depressive symptoms and/or the emergence of suicidal ideation and behaviours (suicidality) whether or not they are taking antidepressant medications, and this risk may persist until significant remission occurs. As improvement may not occur during the first few weeks or more of treatment, patients should be closely monitored for clinical worsening and suicidality, especially at the beginning of a course of treatment, or at the time of dose changes, either increases or decreases. Consideration should be given to changing the therapeutic regimen, including possibly discontinuing the medication, in patients whose depression is persistently worse or whose emergent suicidality is severe, abrupt in onset, or was not part of the patient's presenting symptoms.
Patients (and caregivers of patients) should be alerted about the need to monitor for any worsening of their condition and/or the emergence of suicidal ideation/ behaviour or thoughts of harming themselves and to seek medical advice immediately if these symptoms are present.
Patients with comorbid depression associated with other psychiatric disorders being treated with antidepressants should be similarly observed for clinical worsening and suicidality.
Patients with a history of suicide related events, or those exhibiting a significant degree of suicidal ideation prior to commencement of treatment, are at greater risk of suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts, and should receive careful monitoring during treatment.
Pooled analyses of 24 short-term (4 to 16 week), placebo controlled trials of nine antidepressant medicines (SSRIs and others) in 4400 children and adolescents with major depressive disorder (16 trials), obsessive compulsive disorder (4 trials), or other psychiatric disorders (4 trials) have revealed a greater risk of adverse events representing suicidal behaviour or thinking (suicidality) during the first few months of treatment in those receiving antidepressants. The average risk of such events in patients treated with an antidepressant was 4%, compared with 2% of patients given placebo. There was considerable variation in risk among the antidepressants, but there was a tendency towards an increase for almost all antidepressants studied. The risk of suicidality was most consistently observed in the major depressive disorder trials, but there were signals of risk arising from trials in other psychiatric indications (obsessive compulsive disorder and social anxiety disorder) as well. No suicides occurred in these trials. It is unknown whether the suicidality risk in children and adolescent patients extends to use beyond several months. The nine antidepressant medicines in the pooled analyses included five SSRIs (citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline) and four non-SSRIs (buproprion, mirtazapine, nefazodone, venlafaxine).
Pooled analyses of short-term studies of antidepressant medications have also shown an increased risk of suicidal thinking and behaviour, known as suicidality, in young adults aged 18 to 24 years during initial treatment (generally the first one to two months). Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond the age of 24 years, and there was a reduction with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 years and older.
Symptoms of anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility (aggressiveness), impulsivity, akathisia (psychomotor restlessness), hypomania, and mania, have been reported in adults, adolescents and children being treated with antidepressants for major depressive disorder as well as for other indications, both psychiatric and nonpsychiatric. Although a causal link between the emergence of such symptoms and either worsening of depression and/or emergence of suicidal impulses has not been established, there is concern that such symptoms may be precursors of emerging suicidality.
Families and caregivers of children and adolescents being treated with antidepressants for major depressive disorder or for any other condition (psychiatric or nonpsychiatric) should be informed about the need to monitor these patients for the emergence of agitation, irritability, unusual changes in behaviour, and other symptoms described above, as well as the emergence of suicidality, and to report such symptoms to healthcare providers immediately. It is particularly important that monitoring be undertaken during the initial few months of antidepressant treatment or at times of dose increase or decrease.
Prescriptions for escitalopram should be written for the smallest quantity of tablets consistent with good patient management, in order to reduce the risk of overdose.

Akathisia/ psychomotor restlessness.

The use of SSRIs/ SNRIs has been associated with the development of akathisia, characterised by a subjectively unpleasant or distressing restlessness and need to move often accompanied by an inability to sit or stand still. This is most likely to occur within the first few weeks of treatment. In patients who develop these symptoms, increasing the dose may be detrimental.

Haemorrhage.

Bleeding abnormalities of the skin and mucous membranes have been reported with the use of SSRIs (including purpura, ecchymoses, haematoma, epistaxis, vaginal bleeding and gastrointestinal bleeding). Escitalopram AN tablets should therefore be used with caution in patients concomitantly treated with oral anticoagulants, medicinal products known to affect platelet function (e.g. atypical antipsychotics and phenothiazines, most tricyclic antidepressants, acetylsalicylic acid and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicinal products (NSAIDs), ticlopidine and dipyridamole) as well as in patients with a past history of abnormal bleeding or those with predisposing conditions. Pharmacological gastroprotection should be considered for high risk patients.

Hyponatraemia.

Probably due to inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), hyponatraemia has been reported as a rare adverse reaction with the use of SSRIs. Especially elderly patients seem to be a risk group.

Seizures.

The drug should be discontinued in any patient who develops seizures. SSRIs should be avoided in patients with unstable epilepsy and patients with controlled epilepsy should be carefully monitored. SSRIs should be discontinued if there is an increase in seizure frequency (see Preclinical safety).

Diabetes.

In patients with diabetes, treatment with an SSRI may alter glycaemic control, possibly due to improvement of depressive symptoms. Insulin and/or oral hypoglycaemic dosage may need to be adjusted.

Mania.

SSRIs should be used with caution in patients with a history of mania/ hypomania. SSRIs should be discontinued in any patient entering a manic phase.

ECT (electroconvulsive therapy).

There is limited published clinical experience of concurrent administration of SSRIs and ECT, therefore caution is advised.

Effects on ability to drive and use machines.

Escitalopram does not impair intellectual function and psychomotor performance. However, as with other psychoactive drugs, patients should be cautioned about their ability to drive a car and operate machinery.

Discontinuation.

Discontinuation symptoms when stopping treatment are common, particularly if discontinuation is abrupt. The risk of discontinuation symptoms may be dependent on several factors including the duration and dose of therapy and the rate of dose reduction. Dizziness, sensory disturbances (including paraesthesia and electric shock sensations), sleep disturbances (including insomnia and intense dreams), agitation or anxiety, nausea and/or vomiting, tremor, confusion, sweating, headache, diarrhoea, palpitations, emotional instability, irritability, and visual disturbances are the most commonly reported reactions. Generally these symptoms are mild to moderate, however, in some patients they may be severe in intensity.
They usually occur within the first few days of discontinuing treatment, but there have been very rare reports of such symptoms in patients who have inadvertently missed a dose.
Generally these symptoms are self limiting and usually resolve within 2 weeks, though in some individuals they may be prolonged (2-3 months or more). It is therefore advised that escitalopram should be gradually tapered when discontinuing treatment over a period of several weeks or months, according to the patient's needs (see Dosage and Administration).

Cardiac disease.

Escitalopram has not been evaluated or used to any appreciable extent in patients with a recent history of myocardial infarction or unstable heart disease. Like other SSRIs, escitalopram causes a small decrease in heart rate. Consequently, caution should be observed when escitalopram is initiated in patients with pre-existing slow heart rate.

Impaired hepatic function.

In subjects with hepatic impairment, clearance of escitalopram was decreased and plasma concentrations were increased. The dose of escitalopram in hepatically impaired patients should therefore be reduced (see Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics and Dosage and Administration).

Impaired renal function.

Escitalopram is extensively metabolised and excretion of unchanged drug in urine is a minor route of elimination. At present no information is available for the treatment of patients with severely reduced renal function (creatinine clearance < 20 mL/min) and escitalopram should be used with caution in such patients (see Dosage and Administration).

Preclinical safety.

High doses of escitalopram, which resulted in plasma C_max for escitalopram and metabolites at least 8-fold greater than anticipated clinically, have been associated with convulsions, ECG abnormalities and cardiovascular changes in experimental animals. Of the cardiovascular changes, cardiotoxicity (including congestive heart failure) was observed in comparative toxicological studies in rats following oral escitalopram or citalopram administration for 4 to 13 weeks and appears to correlate with peak plasma concentrations although its exact mechanism is not clear. Clinical experiences with citalopram, and the clinical trial experience with escitalopram, do not indicate that these findings have a clinical correlate.

Effects on fertility.

No fertility studies were performed with escitalopram. However, other nonclinical studies suggest that the effects of escitalopram can be directly predicted from those of the citalopram racemate.
In rats, female fertility was unaffected by oral treatment with citalopram doses which achieved plasma drug concentrations slightly in excess of those expected in humans, but effects on male rat fertility have not been tested with adequate oral doses.

Use in pregnancy.

(Category C)
Limited clinical data are available regarding exposure to escitalopram during pregnancy. Newborns should be observed if maternal use of Escitalopram-PS tablets continues into the later stages of pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester. If escitalopram is used until or shortly before birth, discontinuation effects in the newborn are possible.
Newborns exposed to escitalopram, other SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), or SNRIs (serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), late in the third trimester have developed complications requiring prolonged hospitalisation, respiratory support, and tube feeding. Such complications can arise immediately upon delivery. Reported clinical findings have included respiratory distress, cyanosis, apnoea, seizures, temperature instability, feeding difficulty, vomiting, hypoglycaemia, hypotonia, hypertonia, hyperreflexia, tremor, jitteriness, irritability, lethargy, constant crying, somnolence and difficulty sleeping. These features are consistent with either a direct toxic effect of SSRIs and SNRIs or, possibly, a drug discontinuation syndrome. In the majority of cases the complications begin immediately or soon (< 24 hours) after delivery.
Epidemiological data have suggested that the use of SSRIs in pregnancy, particularly in late pregnancy, may increase the risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn (PPHN).
Oral treatment of rats with escitalopram during organogenesis at maternotoxic doses led to increased postimplantation loss and reduced foetal weight at systemic exposure levels (based on AUC) ca. 11-fold that anticipated clinically, with no effects seen at 6-fold. No teratogenicity was evident in this study at relative systemic exposure levels of ca. 15 (based on AUC).
There were no perinatal/ postnatal effects of escitalopram following oral dosing of pregnant rats (conception through to weaning) at systemic exposure levels (based on AUC) ca. 2-fold that anticipated clinically. However, the number of stillbirths was increased and the size, weight and postnatal survival of offspring were decreased at a relative systemic exposure level ca. 5.
Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed and only after careful consideration of the risk/ benefit.

Australian categorisation definition of category C.

Drugs which, owing to their pharmacological effects, have caused or may be suspected of causing, harmful effects on the human fetus or neonate without causing malformations. These effects may be reversible. Accompanying texts should be consulted for further details.

Use in lactation.

It is expected that escitalopram, like citalopram, will be excreted into human breast milk. Studies in nursing mothers have shown that the mean combined dose of citalopram and demethylcitalopram transmitted to infants via breast milk (expressed as a percentage of the weight adjusted maternal dose) is 4.4-5.1% (below the notional 10% level of concern).
Plasma concentrations of these drugs in infants were very low or absent and there were no adverse effects. Whilst the citalopram data support the safety of use of escitalopram in breastfeeding women, the decision to breastfeed should always be made as an individual risk/ benefit analysis.

Paediatric use (children and adolescents < 18 years).

The efficacy and safety of escitalopram has not been established in children and adolescents less than 18 years of age. Consequently, escitalopram should not be used in children and adolescents less than 18 years of age.

Use in the elderly (> 65 years).

Escitalopram AUC and half-life were increased in subjects ≥ 65 years of age compared to younger subjects in a single dose and a multiple dose pharmacokinetic study. The dose of escitalopram in elderly patients should therefore be reduced (see Dosage and Administration).

Carcinogenicity.

No carcinogenicity studies were performed with escitalopram. However, other nonclinical studies suggest that the effects of escitalopram can be directly predicted from those of the citalopram racemate.
Citalopram did not show any carcinogenic activity in long-term oral studies using mice and rats at doses up to 240 and 80 mg/kg/day, respectively.

Genotoxicity.

No genotoxicity studies were performed with escitalopram. However, other nonclinical studies suggest that the effects of escitalopram can be directly predicted from those of the citalopram racemate.
In assays of genotoxic activity, citalopram showed no evidence of mutagenic or clastogenic activity.

Interactions

MAOIs.

Coadministration with MAO inhibitors may cause serotonin syndrome (see Contraindications).

Serotonin syndrome.

Development of serotonin syndrome may occur in association with treatment with SSRIs and SNRIs, particularly when given in combination with MAOIs or other serotonergic agents. Symptoms and signs of serotonin syndrome include rapid onset of neuromuscular excitation (hyperreflexia, incoordination, myoclonus, tremor), altered mental status (confusion, agitation, hypomania) and autonomic dysfunction (diaphoresis, diarrhoea, fever, shivering and rapidly fluctuating vital signs). Treatment with escitalopram should be discontinued if such events occur and supportive symptomatic treatment initiated.

Pimozide.

Coadministration of a single dose of pimozide 2 mg to subjects treated with racemic citalopram 40 mg/day for 11 days caused an increase in AUC and C_max of pimozide, although not consistently throughout the study. The coadministration of pimozide and citalopram resulted in a mean increase in the QTc interval of approximately 10 msec. Due to the interaction with citalopram noted at a low dose of pimozide, concomitant administration of escitalopram and pimozide is contraindicated (see Contraindications).

Serotonergic drugs.

Coadministration with serotonergic drugs (e.g. tramadol, sumatriptan) may lead to an enhancement of serotonergic effects. Similarly, Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) should be avoided as adverse interactions have been reported with a range of drugs including antidepressants.

Lithium and tryptophan.

There have been reports of enhanced effects when SSRIs have been given with lithium or tryptophan and therefore concomitant use of SSRIs with these drugs should be undertaken with caution.

Medicines affecting the central nervous system.

Given the primary CNS effects of escitalopram, caution should be used when it is taken in combination with other centrally acting drugs.

Medicines lowering the seizure threshold.

SSRIs can lower the seizure threshold. Caution is advised when concomitantly using other medicinal products capable of lowering the seizure threshold (e.g. antidepressants (tricyclics, SSRIs), neuroleptics (phenothiazines, thioxanthenes, butyrophenones), mefloquine, bupropion and tramadol).

Hepatic enzymes.

Escitalopram has a low potential for clinically significant drug interactions. In vitro studies have shown that the biotransformation of escitalopram to its demethylated metabolites depends on three parallel pathways (cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19, 3A4 and 2D6). Escitalopram is a very weak inhibitor of isoenzyme CYP1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2E1, and 3A4, and a weak inhibitor of 2D6.

Effects of other drugs on escitalopram in vivo.

The pharmacokinetics of escitalopram was not changed by coadministration with ritonavir (CYP3A4 inhibitor). Furthermore, coadministration with ketoconazole (potent CYP3A4 inhibitor) did not change the pharmacokinetics of racemic citalopram.
Coadministration of escitalopram with omeprazole (a CYP2C19 inhibitor) resulted in a moderate (approximately 50%) increase in plasma concentrations of escitalopram and a small but statistically significant increase (31%) in the terminal half-life of escitalopram (see also Dosage and Administration, Poor metabolisers of CYP2C19).
Coadministration of escitalopram with cimetidine (moderately potent general enzyme inhibitor) resulted in a moderate (approximately 70%) increase in the plasma concentrations of escitalopram.
Thus, caution should be exercised at the upper end of the dose range of escitalopram when used concomitantly with CYP2C19 inhibitors (e.g. omeprazole, esomeprazole, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, lansoprazole, and ticlopidine) or cimetidine. A reduction in the dose of escitalopram may be necessary based on clinical judgement (see also Dosage and Administration, Poor metabolisers of CYP2C19).

Effects of escitalopram on other drugs in vivo.

Escitalopram is an inhibitor of the enzyme CYP2D6. Caution is recommended when escitalopram is coadministered with medicinal products that are mainly metabolised by this enzyme, and that have a narrow therapeutic index, e.g. flecainide, propafenone and metoprolol (when used in cardiac failure), or some CNS acting medicinal products that are mainly metabolised by CYP2D6, e.g. antidepressants such as desipramine, clomipramine and nortriptyline or antipsychotics like risperidone, thioridazine and haloperidol. Dosage adjustment may be warranted.
Coadministration with desipramine (a CYP2D6 substrate) resulted in a twofold increase in plasma levels of desipramine. Therefore, caution is advised when escitalopram and desipramine are coadministered. A similar increase in plasma levels of desipramine, after administration of imipramine, was seen when given together with racemic citalopram.
Coadministration with metoprolol (a CYP2D6 substrate) resulted in a twofold increase in the plasma levels of metoprolol. However, the combination had no clinically significant effects on blood pressure and heart rate.
The pharmacokinetics of ritonavir (CYP3A4 inhibitor) was not changed by coadministration with escitalopram.
Furthermore, pharmacokinetic interaction studies with racemic citalopram have demonstrated no clinically important interactions with carbamazepine (CYP3A4 substrate), triazolam (CYP3A4 substrate), theophylline (CYP1A2 substrate), warfarin (CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 substrate), levomepromazine (CYP2D6 inhibitor), lithium and digoxin.

Medicines that interfere with haemostasis (NSAIDs, aspirin, warfarin, etc).

Serotonin release by platelets plays an important role in haemostasis. There is an association between use of psychotropic drugs that interfere with serotonin reuptake and the occurrence of abnormal bleeding. Concurrent use of an NSAID, aspirin or warfarin potentiates this risk. Thus, patients should be cautioned about using such medicines concurrently with escitalopram.

Alcohol.

The combination of SSRIs and alcohol is not advisable.

Adverse Effects

Adverse reactions observed with escitalopram are in general mild and transient. They are most frequent during the first one or two weeks of treatment and usually decrease in intensity and frequency with continued treatment and generally do not lead to a cessation of therapy. Data from short-term placebo controlled studies are presented below. The safety data from the long-term studies showed a similar profile.

Treatment emergent adverse events with an incidence of ≥ 1% in placebo controlled trials.

Figures marked with * in Table 1 indicate adverse reactions where the incidence with escitalopram is statistically significantly different from placebo (p < 0.05).

Adverse events in relation to dose.

The potential dose dependency of common adverse events (defined as an incidence rate of ≥ 5% in either the 10 mg or 20 mg escitalopram groups) was examined on the basis of the combined incidence of adverse events in two fixed dose trials. The overall incidence rates of adverse events in 10 mg escitalopram treated patients (66%) was similar to that of the placebo treated patients (61%), while the incidence rate in 20 mg/day escitalopram treated patients was greater (86%). Common adverse events that occurred in the 20 mg/day escitalopram group with an incidence approximately twice that of the 10 mg/day escitalopram group and approximately twice that of the placebo group are shown in Table 2.

Vital sign changes.

Escitalopram and placebo groups were compared with respect to (1) mean change from baseline in vital signs (pulse, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure) and (2) the incidence of patients meeting criteria for potentially clinically significant changes from baseline in these variables. These analyses did not reveal any clinically important changes in vital signs associated with escitalopram treatment.

ECG changes.

Cases of QT prolongation have been reported during the postmarketing period with both citalopram and escitalopram. Citalopram can cause dose dependent QT interval prolongation. In an ECG study, the observed change from baseline QTc (Fridericia correction) was 7.5 msec at the 20 mg/day dose and 16.7 msec at the 60 mg/day dose of citalopram. The effect of escitalopram on the QT interval was similarly studied at doses of 10 mg/day and 30 mg/day. The change from baseline QTc (Fridericia correction) was 4.3 msec at the 10 mg/day dose and 10.7 msec with the above recommended dose of 30 mg/day. The QTc interval prolongation observed with 60 mg citalopram exceeded that observed with 30 mg escitalopram. It is probable that the R-enantiomer and its metabolites in racemic citalopram contribute to these effects.

Weight changes.

Patients treated with escitalopram in controlled trials did not differ from placebo treated patients with regard to clinically important change in body weight.

Laboratory changes.

In clinical studies, there were no signals of clinically important changes in either various serum chemistry, haematology, and urinalysis parameters associated with escitalopram treatment compared to placebo or in the incidence of patients meeting the criteria for potentially clinically significant changes from baseline in these variables.
For abnormal laboratory changes registered as either uncommon events or serious adverse events from ongoing trials and observed during (but not necessarily caused by) treatment with escitalopram, see Other changes observed during the premarketing evaluation of escitalopram tablets.

Other changes observed during the premarketing evaluation of escitalopram tablets.

Following is a list of WHO terms that reflect adverse events occurring at an incidence of < 1% and serious adverse events from ongoing trials. All reported events are included except those already listed in the table or elsewhere in the Adverse Effects, and those occurring in only one patient. It is important to emphasise that, although the events reported occurred during treatment with escitalopram tablets, they were not necessarily caused by it.
Events are further categorised by body system and are listed below. Uncommon adverse events are those occurring in less than 1/100 patients but at least 1/1000 patients.

Application site disorders.

Uncommon: otitis externa, cellulitis.

Body as a whole.

Uncommon: allergy, aggravated allergy, allergic reactions, asthenia, carpal tunnel syndrome, chest pain, chest tightness, fever, hernia, leg pain, limb pain, neck pain, oedema, oedema of extremities, peripheral oedema, rigors, malaise, syncope, scar.

Cardiovascular disorders, general.

Uncommon: hypertension aggravated, hypotension, hypertension, abnormal ECG.

Central and peripheral nervous system disorders.

Uncommon: ataxia, dysaesthesia, dysequilibrium, dysgeusia, dystonia, hyperkinesia, hyperreflexia, hypertonia, hypoaesthesia, leg cramps, lightheadedness, muscle contractions, nerve root lesion, neuralgia, neuropathy, paralysis, sedation, tetany, tics, twitching, vertigo.

Gastrointestinal system disorders.

Uncommon: abdominal cramp, abdominal discomfort, belching, bloating, change in bowel habit, colitis, colitis ulcerative, enteritis, epigastric discomfort, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux, haemorrhoids, heartburn, increased stool frequency, irritable bowel syndrome, melaena, periodontal destruction, rectal haemorrhage, tooth disorder, toothache, ulcerative stomatitis.

Hearing and vestibular disorders.

Uncommon: deafness, earache, ear disorder, otosalpingitis, tinnitus.

Heart rate and rhythm disorders.

Uncommon: bradycardia, tachycardia.

Liver and biliary system disorders.

Uncommon: bilirubinaemia, hepatic enzymes increased.

Metabolic and nutritional disorders.

Uncommon: abnormal glucose tolerance, diabetes mellitus, gout, hypercholesterolaemia, hyperglycaemia, hyperlipaemia, thirst, weight decrease, xerophthalmia.

Musculoskeletal system disorders.

Uncommon: arthritis, arthropathy, arthrosis, bursitis, costochondritis, fascitis plantar, fibromyalgia, ischial neuralgia, jaw stiffness, muscle cramp, muscle spasms, muscle stiffness, muscle tightness, muscle weakness, myalgia, myopathy, osteoporosis, pain neck/ shoulder, tendinitis, tenosynovitis.

Myocardial, endocardial and pericardial and valve disorders.

Uncommon: myocardial infarction, myocardial ischaemia, myocarditis, angina pectoris.

Neoplasm.

Uncommon: female breast neoplasm, ovarian cyst, uterine fibroid.

Platelet, bleeding and clotting disorders.

Uncommon: abnormal bleeding, predominantly of the skin and mucous membranes, including purpura, epistaxis, haematomas, vaginal bleeding and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Poison specific terms.

Uncommon: sting.

Psychiatric disorders.

Uncommon: aggressive reaction, amnesia, apathy, bruxism, carbohydrate craving, concentration impairment, confusion, depersonalisation, depression, depression aggravated, emotional lability, excitability, feeling unreal, forgetfulness, hallucination, hypomania, increased appetite, irritability, jitteriness, lethargy, loss of libido, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic reaction, paroniria, restlessness aggravated, sleep disorder, snoring, suicide attempt, thinking abnormal.

Red blood cell disorders.

Uncommon: anaemia hypochromic, anaemia.

Reproductive disorders/ female.

Uncommon: amenorrhoea, atrophic vaginitis, breast pain, genital infection, intermenstrual bleeding, menopausal symptoms, menorrhagia, menstrual cramps, menstrual disorder, premenstrual tension, postmenopausal bleeding, sexual function abnormality, unintended pregnancy, dysmenorrhoea, vaginal haemorrhage, vaginal candidiasis, vaginitis.

Reproductive disorders/ male.

Uncommon: ejaculation delayed, prostatic disorder.

Resistance mechanism disorders.

Uncommon: moniliasis genital, abscess, infection, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, infection bacterial, infection parasitic, infection (tuberculosis), moniliasis.

Respiratory system disorders.

Uncommon: asthma, dyspnoea, laryngitis, nasal congestion, nasopharyngitis, pneumonia, respiratory tract infection, shortness of breath, sinus congestion, sinus headache, sleep apnoea, tracheitis, throat tightness.

Skin and appendages disorders.

Uncommon: acne, alopecia, dermatitis, dermatitis fungal, dermatitis lichenoid, dry skin, eczema, erythematous rash, furunculosis, onychomycosis, pruritus, psoriasis aggravated, rash, rash pustular, skin disorder, urticaria, verruca.

Secondary terms.

Uncommon: accidental injury, bite, burn, fall, fractured neck of femur, alcohol problem, traumatic haematoma, cyst, food poisoning, lumbar disc lesion, surgical intervention.

Special senses other, disorders.

Uncommon: dry eyes, eye irritation, taste alteration, taste perversion, visual disturbance, ear infection NOS, vision blurred.

Urinary system disorders.

Uncommon: cystitis, dysuria, facial oedema, micturition frequency, micturition disorder, nocturia, polyuria, pyelonephritis, renal calculus, urinary frequency, urinary incontinence, urinary tract infection.

Vascular (extracardiac) disorders.

Uncommon: cerebrovascular disorder, flushing, hot flush [gs], ocular haemorrhage, peripheral ischaemia, varicose vein, vein disorder, vein distended.

Vision disorders.

Uncommon: accommodation abnormal, blepharospasm, eye infection, eye pain, mydriasis, vision abnormal, vision blurred, visual disturbance.

White cell and reticuloendothelial system disorders.

Uncommon: leucopenia.
In addition the following adverse reactions have been reported with racemic citalopram (all of which have also been reported for other SSRIs).

Disorders of metabolism and nutrition.

Hyponatraemia, inappropriate ADH secretion (both especially in elderly women).

Neurological disorders.

Convulsions, convulsions grand mal and extrapyramidal disorder, serotonin syndrome (typically characterised by a rapid onset of changes in mental state, with confusion, mania, agitation, hyperactivity, shivering, fever, tremor, ocular movements, myoclonus, hyperreflexia, and incoordination).

Skin disorders.

Ecchymoses, angioedema.
Furthermore a number of adverse reactions have been listed for other SSRIs. Although these are not listed as adverse reactions for escitalopram or citalopram, it cannot be excluded that these adverse reactions may occur with escitalopram. These SSRI class reactions are listed below.

Cardiovascular disorders.

Postural hypotension.

Hepatobiliary disorders.

Abnormal liver function tests.

Neurological disorders.

Movement disorders.

Psychiatric disorders.

Mania, panic attacks.

Renal and urinary disorders.

Urinary retention.

Reproductive disorders.

Galactorrhoea.

Class effect.

Epidemiological studies, mainly conducted in patients 50 years of age and older, show an increased risk of bone fractures in patients receiving SSRIs and TCAs. The mechanism leading to this risk is unknown.

Dosage and Administration

Adults.

Escitalopram is administered as a single oral dose and may be taken with or without food.

Major depression.

The recommended dose is 10 mg (one 10 mg tablet) once daily. Depending on individual patient response, the dose may be increased to a maximum of 20 mg (one 20 mg tablet) daily.
Usually 2-4 weeks are necessary for antidepressant response, although the onset of therapeutic effect may be seen earlier. The treatment of a single episode of depression requires treatment over the acute and the medium term. After the symptoms resolve during acute treatment, a period of consolidation of the response is required. Therefore, treatment of a depressive episode should be continued for a minimum of 6 months.

Elderly patients (> 65 years of age).

A longer half-life and a decreased clearance have been demonstrated in the elderly. 10 mg (one 10 mg tablet) is the recommended maximum maintenance dose in the elderly (see Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics and Precautions).

Children and adolescents (< 18 years of age).

Safety and efficacy have not been established in this population. Escitalopram should not be used in children and adolescents under 18 years of age (see Precautions).

Reduced hepatic function.

An initial dose of 5 mg (half a 10 mg tablet) daily for the first two weeks of treatment is recommended. Depending on individual patient response, the dose may be increased to 10 mg (one 10 mg tablet) (see Precautions).

Reduced renal function.

Dosage adjustment is not necessary in patients with mild or moderate renal impairment. No information is available on the treatment of patients with severely reduced renal function (creatinine clearance < 20 mL/min) (see Precautions).

Poor metabolisers of CYP2C19.

For patients who are known to be poor metabolisers with respect to CYP2C19, an initial dose of 5 mg (half a 10 mg tablet) daily during the first two weeks of treatment is recommended. Depending on individual patient response, the dose may be increased to 10 mg (one 10 mg tablet) (see Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics and Interactions with Other Medicines).

Discontinuation.

Significant numbers of discontinuation symptoms may occur with abrupt discontinuation of escitalopram. To minimise discontinuation reactions, tapered discontinuation over a period of at least one to two weeks is recommended. If unacceptable discontinuation symptoms occur following a decrease in the dose or upon discontinuation of treatment then resuming the previously prescribed dose may be considered. Subsequently, the dose may be decreased but at a more gradual rate.

Overdosage

In general, the main therapy for all overdoses is supportive and symptomatic care.

Toxicity.

Clinical data on escitalopram overdose are limited and many cases involve concomitant overdoses of other drugs. In the majority of cases mild or no symptoms have been reported. Doses between 400 and 800 mg of escitalopram alone have been taken without any severe symptoms. No fatalities or sequelae were reported in the few cases with a higher dose (one patient survived ingestion of either 2400 or 4800 mg).

Symptoms.

Symptoms seen in reported overdose of escitalopram include symptoms mainly related to the central nervous system (ranging from dizziness, tremor and agitation to rare cases of serotonin syndrome, convulsion and coma), the gastrointestinal system (nausea/ vomiting), the cardiovascular system (hypotension, tachycardia, arrhythmia and ECG changes (including QT prolongation)), and electrolyte/ fluid balance conditions.

Treatment.

There is no specific antidote. Establish and maintain an airway, ensure adequate oxygenation and respiratory function. The use of activated charcoal should be considered. Activated charcoal may reduce absorption of the drug if given within one or two hours after ingestion. In patients who are not fully conscious or have impaired gag reflex, consideration should be given to administering activated charcoal via a nasogastric tube, once the airway is protected. Cardiac and vital signs monitoring are recommended along with general symptomatic supportive measures.
For further advice on management of overdose please contact the Poisons Information Centre (tel: 131 126 for Australia).

Presentation

Escitalopram AN tablets 10 mg/ 20 mg are presented in clear PVC/PE/PVDC-aluminium blisters. Each pack contains 28 tablets.

Escitalopram AN tablets 10 mg.

Film-coated tablets containing 10 mg escitalopram (as oxalate).

Escitalopram AN tablets 20 mg.

Film-coated tablets containing 20 mg escitalopram (as oxalate).

Storage

Store below 25°C. Keep in a dry place.

Poison Schedule

S4.

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