Elodep 10 mg Tablet

Elodep 10 mg Tablet

DESCRIPTION

ELODEP (Escitalopram Oxalate) is an orally administered selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). This drug exerts a highly selective, potent, and dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the human serotonin transport. By inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin into presynaptic nerve endings, this drug enhances the activity of serotonin in the central nervous system. Escitalopram is “the most typical SSRI” of the SSRI agents, because it has virtually no or very low affinity for other transporters like alpha- and beta-adrenergic, Dopamine, histamine,

Muscarinic and benzodiazepine receptors.

COMPOSITION

ELODEP 5 Tablet : Each film-coated tablet contains Escitalopram 5 mg (as Escitalopram Oxalate USP).

ELODEP 10 Tablet : Each film-coated tablet contains Escitalopram 10 mg (as Escitalopram Oxalate USP).

INDICATIONS

 Major depressive disorder (MDD)

 Social anxiety disorder (SAD)

 Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

 Maintenance therapy for the prevention of depression relapses

DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION

Adults :

The initial dose of ELODEP (Escitalopram Oxalate) is 10 mg once daily. If the dose is increased to 20 mg, this should occur after a minimum of one week but failed to demonstrate a greater benefit of over 20 mg.

Elderly: A single oral dose of 10 mg/day is the recommended dose for most elderly patients.

Pediatric use: Safety and effectiveness in children below the age of 18 years have not been established.

CONTRAINDICATION AND PRECAUTION

ELODEP (Escitalopram Oxalate) is contraindicatd in patients with known hypersensitivity to Escitalopram oxalate or Citalopram or any of the inactive ingredients of the drug product. Concomitant use in patients taking monoamine oxidase is contraindicated. If a patient enters a manic phase, Escitalopram Oxalate should be discontinued.

As with all drugs effective in the treatment of major depressive disorder, Escitalopram should be used cautiously in patients with a history of mania. Escitalopram Oxalate should be used with caution in patients with a history of seizure disorder. The use of Citalopram in hepatically impaired patients should be approved with caution and a lower maximum dosage (10 mg/day) is recommended. Escitalopram should be used with caution in diabetic patients on insulin or other antidiabetic drugs. Besides concomitant use of drugs that increase the risk of bleeding , history of bleeding disorder (especially gastro intestinal bleeding), SSRI should be used with caution in those patients.

SIDE EFFECTS

Agitation or restlessness, blurred vision, diarrhea, indigestion, nausea, increased or decreased appetite, increased sweating, sexual difficulties (decreased sexual ability or desire, ejaculatory delay), taste alterations, tremor (shaking), weight changes.

USE IN PREGNANCY & LACTATION

The safety of Escitalopram during pregnancy and lactation has not been established. Therefore, Escitalopram should not be used during pregnancy, unless, in the opinion of the physician, the expected benefits to the patients markedly outweigh the possible hazards to the fetus.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

CNS drugs – caution should be used when escitalopram is taken in combination with other centrally acting drugs. MAO Inhibitors – There have been reports of serious, sometimes fatal reactions when escitalopram is taken in combination with MAO inhibitors. As SSRI or related antidepressant should not be started until 2 weeks after stopping an MAO. Conversely, an MAO should not be started until at least a week after an SSRI or related anti depressant has been stopped.

SUPPLY

ELODEP 5 Tablet : Each box contains 3x10 tablets in blister strip.

ELODEP 10 Tablet : Each box contains 3x10 tablets in blister strip.