It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits, to allow for changes in your dose and to help reduce any side effects.

Do not take escitalopram with or within 14 days of taking a drug with Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor activity (isocarboxazid [e.g., Marplan], phenelzine [e.g., Nardil], procarbazine [e.g., Matulane], selegiline [e.g., Eldepryl], tranylcypromine [e.g., Parnate]). Do not take an MAO inhibitor within 14 days of taking escitalopram. If you do, you may develop extremely high blood pressure or convulsions (seizures).

Escitalopram may cause some people to be agitated, irritable or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. If you or your caregiver notice any of these adverse effects, tell your doctor right away.

Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while you are taking escitalopram.

LEXAPRO may cause some people to become drowsy, to have trouble thinking, or to have problems with movement. Make sure you know how you react to citalopram before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert or well-coordinated.

Contact your doctor right away if you are unusually agitated, irritable, or have thoughts about hurting or killing yourself.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Rare
  • Coma;  confusion;  convulsions;  decreased urine output;  dizziness;  fast or irregular heartbeat ;  headache;  increased thirst ;  muscle pain or cramps;  nausea or vomiting;  shortness of breath;  swelling of face, ankles, or hands;  unusual tiredness or weakness 
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome.

• More common
  • Constipation;  decreased interest in sexual intercourse;  diarrhea;  dizziness;  dry mouth;  ejaculation delay;  gas in stomach;  heartburn;  inability to have or keep an erection ;  impotence;  increased sweating ;  loss in sexual ability desire, drive, or performance ;  nausea;  stomach pain ;  sleeplessness;  trouble sleeping;  unable to sleep;  sleepiness or unusual drowsiness 
  
  

• Less common
  • Abdominal pain;  chills;  cough;  decreased appetite;  diarrhea;  fever;  general feeling of discomfort or illness;  headache ;  joint pain;  loss of appetite ;  muscle aches and pains;  nausea;  not able to have an orgasm;  pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones;  runny nose;  shivering;  shortness of breath or troubled breathing;  sneezing ;  sore throat;  stuffy nose ;  sweating;  tightness of chest or wheezing;  trouble sleeping;  unusual tiredness or weakness;  vomiting  
  
  

Other side effects may occur after you stop taking the medicine. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Less common
  • Ejaculation delay;  nausea 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.