Escitalopram (Escitalopram). Patient reviews, instructions for use, price

Escitalopram is an effective a medicine from the group of antidepressants, which is often used to treat patients with various mental and neurological disorders. Feedback from patients about the effectiveness of treatment may be different, depending on the absorption of the drug in the body, as well as the reaction of the nervous system to its use. A preliminary diagnostic examination is always required before starting therapy.

Terms of dispensing from pharmacies, drug price

The medication can be purchased at different pharmacies, but after presenting a prescription form certified by a specialist.

The cost of the drug is different, the number of tablets in the package and the region of distribution are taken into account. The average price is about 250-340 rubles. per packing. Despite the average price, some patients prefer to use cheaper drugs.

Composition and action

On pharmacy shelves, the drug can be found in tablet form. Tablets are intended for oral administration, have a standard shape and are film-coated. They are placed in standard small-sized plates, each of which can contain 14 or 28 pieces.

Plates are placed in packages made of thick cardboard, each of which can contain 1 or 2 pieces. A description is attached to them. It indicates the nuances of the application and possible complications that arise during therapy. The composition of the drug includes the substance escitalopram, which has an effect on the functioning of the nervous system.

Tablet medicine includes auxiliary ingredients:

• Macrogol.
• Titanium dioxide.
• Colloidal silicon dioxide.
• Stearic acid.
• Magnesium stearate.
• Microcrystalline cellulose.

These substances have no effect on the tissues of the nervous system. The amount of the main substance in the composition of the drug can be 5.10, 15 or 20 mg. This allows each patient to select the optimal rate, depending on the manifestations of the pathological condition.

Escitalopram (patient reviews about the drug are predominantly positive) has antidepressant properties, which makes it possible to use it for the treatment of patients with psychoemotional disorders of varying degrees severity.

The principle of action of the drug is based on the ability of the main substance to inhibit the reuptake of serotonin. In this case, there is an increase in the number of neurotransmitters, and the effect of serotonin is somewhat prolonged. This process leads to the elimination of psychoemotional disorders that develop as a result of the progression of pathologies of the nervous system.

The drug does not bind to the dopamine and serotonin receptors, which prevents the development of complications after the end of the therapeutic course.

When using the drug, patients note several therapeutic actions of the drug:

• Elimination of increased anxiety and associated deviations. Despite the fact that the drug is used to eliminate the signs of depression, it eliminates anxiety, since this symptom often bothers patients with the progression of depressive disorders.
• Improves the functioning of the central nervous system.
• Normalizes the patient's sleep, which is disturbed by the development of neurological disorders.
• Helps prevent patients from showing signs of panic disorder in the presence of another psychoemotional disorder.
• Increases performance, both mental and physical.
• Since the drug eliminates the symptoms of the nervous system, against the background of its use, general disorders from the digestive, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems disappear. Often, against the background of depression, the work of many systems is disrupted.
• The medicine helps prevent the re-development of the disorder and increases the resistance of the nervous system to stressful situations.

When the drug is taken orally, the film shell of the tablet dissolves and the active substance is absorbed into the blood. It spreads throughout the body and concentrates in nerve tissues, has a healing effect. The bioavailability index is approximately 80%, which ensures high efficiency. The active substance binds well to plasma proteins, approximately 4 hours after taking a single therapeutic dosage.

The medicine accumulates in the body, since the first effect can be noted only 3-4 weeks after the start of application. Despite the long onset of the first effect, the remedy is considered effective.

The processing of the substance of the composition is carried out in the patient's liver. Within 1-2 days, the products of its metabolism are excreted with the help of the kidneys. If the functioning of the liver and kidneys is impaired, the metabolic process and the evacuation of ingredients from the body may deteriorate. This can provoke the accumulation of an increased amount of substances in the body.

Indications and contraindications for use

Escitalopram is prescribed mainly for disorders of the nervous system.

The reviews of most patients confirm the effectiveness when used in the following cases:

• Depressive disorder of various forms and severity. The medication is more effective in the chronic course of the disorder, since its action develops slowly, and in the acute form with the presence of concomitant deviations, the use of drugs is required. Providing effect within 1-2 days.
• Panic attacks that develop against the background of any disease of the nervous system or in the form of an independent disorder.
• Anxiety and insomnia, in which a depressive state develops. The drug can be used as the only method of therapy or to increase the effectiveness of the main treatment.

The drug is included in the therapy of pathologies of the nervous system that develop against the background of a depressive disorder, but it may be less effective, and the dosage is usually minimal.

The drug is not used when detecting intolerance to any of the components in its composition, which is associated with an increased risk of negative symptoms. The lactation period and different periods of bearing a child are also contraindications. Even if the patient has symptoms of a depressive disorder, the medication is not allowed to be used.

Tablets are not prescribed to patients under 15 years of age, but there are other contraindications for therapy:

• Gastrointestinal bleeding, which develops as a result of the rapid progression of pathologies of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines.
• Exacerbation of peptic ulcer, gastritis and pancreatitis. The drug in this case can provoke severe complications, aggravates the course of the underlying disease.
• Insufficiency in the work of the liver or kidneys, when the functioning of organs is disrupted and the process of processing a substance worsens with its subsequent excretion.
• The period of rehabilitation after undergoing surgery on the abdominal organs.
• Acute diseases of the respiratory system, for example, severe bronchial asthma.
• Diseases of the endocrine system in acute form.
• Hormonal Disorders. With such a disease, the use of a medication can provoke an aggravation of symptoms, therefore it is allowed to take it only after the acute symptoms have been eliminated.

Some contraindications are considered relative, since the doctor individually decides on the appointment of a medication. Some obstacles can only be for a particular patient if there are severe chronic disorders in his anamnesis. Elderly people suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system should take medication with caution.

Escitalopram (patient reviews often prove the high effectiveness of the drug) often provokes negative reactions from internal organs and systems, even if all the rules are followed. Disorders are accompanied by drowsiness and headache, fluctuations in blood pressure indicators in patients with vascular disorders.

Complications can manifest themselves in the form of hallucinations and impaired consciousness, which indicates their severe course. Patients often talk about decreased libido, impaired potency. Such disorders appear in patients at any age, even if they have not previously suffered from similar disorders.

Unlike some other medicines, the pill medicine can provoke an overdose, as it accumulates in the tissues and blood. Such cases are rare, but are accompanied by angioedema and other severe symptoms. The appearance of negative reactions is considered a reason for refusing to use the drug. Often the patient needs to see a specialist.

Instructions for use

Tablet medication is indicated for oral administration when certain symptoms occur in a patient and after a preliminary diagnostic examination.

There is a standard treatment regimen that involves taking 10 mg of the drug per day. Usually, the daily rate should be taken 2 times, but in the case when it is increased and a single dose can provoke negative symptoms. The duration of treatment is 3 months, since the first effect is observed only 3 weeks after the start of the use of the pills.

When taking, it is worth taking the medicine with plenty of water. The tablet is not crushed or chewed before taking, since the film shell must dissolve in the digestive tract. Correction of the dosage and duration of the treatment course is carried out by the doctor individually.

An important condition in the treatment of any disease is a gradual dose reduction in case of refusal of therapy. For 2 weeks, the patient takes the minimum dose, after which the medicine is canceled. This avoids the development of a withdrawal syndrome.

With neurosis

Escitalopram (patient reviews may be negative if patients develop complications during therapy) when diagnosing neurosis are used for 2-4 months. Specialists take into account the severity of the disease when correcting the duration of therapy.

The daily dosage in the initial stages is 5 mg, but if necessary, it can be increased to 10 mg. It is allowed to divide it into 2 times during the day or take it before bedtime. If there are no negative reactions with a single dose, experts allow not to divide the dose by 2 times during the day.

Extending the course and increasing the dose is possible only as prescribed by a specialist.

For epilepsy

Epilepsy is not considered an indication for prescribing a medication if the patient does not have concomitant nervous system disorders.

The disease is not a contraindication, but when prescribing a medication, it is important to conduct an examination. If, against the background of epilepsy, the patient develops depression, it is allowed to take pills in a minimum dosage of 5 mg per day. The course lasts at least 2 months, but the duration may vary.

When alarmed

Anxiety disorder is treated with a minimum dosage of 5 mg per day. With the progression of the disease, the dose may be increased to 20 mg per day. It must be divided into 2 doses during the day.

Such a rate is considered the maximum permissible for a patient with any disease. Treatment for anxiety lasts at least 2 months, but often requires medication for 3 months. The doctor makes a decision after examining the patient and evaluating the effectiveness of therapy.

With depression

Diagnosing a depressive disorder requires a long course of drug use. The application continues for at least 3 months in a row to obtain a pronounced result and to consolidate it.

The initial dosage for the patient is 10 mg. If this is enough to improve the condition, it is not increased. Sometimes the use of higher doses is required, that is, the use of 20 mg per day. It is not recommended to adjust the dose yourself.

Efficiency

Escitalopram (patient reviews allow patients to preliminarily assess the effectiveness of therapy) is an effective medication. When applied, the therapeutic effect lasts for a long period of time.

Some patients consider the effectiveness of the remedy to be low, since the result is not noticeable immediately after the start of admission. They do not take into account the cumulative effect of the drug.

Analogues are cheaper

The tool has an average cost that is affordable for many patients. But some people pick up analogues cheaper.

Name of the medicine	Features and cost
Actaparoxetine	A drug based on paroxetine, which has antidepressant properties, helps to improve the condition in severe pathology. The medication is considered effective, despite the different composition. It is often used as a substitute. During therapy, the patient undergoes a preliminary examination, which allows the doctor to determine the optimal dose and duration of use. The cost of tablets starts from 180 rubles. per plate.
Fluxen	An antidepressant medication with pronounced properties, which is available in capsule form for oral administration and is highly effective. Despite the presence of another active ingredient in the composition, the medicine can be used if it is impossible to prescribe the original. The price of the product is approximately 200-210 rubles.
Fluoxetine	A substitute based on the active component of the same name, which has an affordable cost of 60-130 rubles. The capsules are intended for oral use, help to eliminate the symptoms of a depressive disorder, relieve anxiety, insomnia and some other disorders. The use of an analogue must be approved by a doctor, which is associated with a different composition.

Experts draw the attention of patients to the fact that substitutes based on such a component, like the original, are several times more expensive. Escitalopram is considered one of the most readily available drugs. But if it is impossible to use it, a specialist can prescribe drugs with other components.

Escitalopram is an effective antidepressant drug that is used for patients with various forms of depressive disorders. The medication is prescribed by the doctor after the examination, as it helps to prescribe the optimal rate and duration of the course. Reviews of the results of therapy differ from patient to patient. Some talk about a long-term positive effect, others confirm the development of negative reactions.

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