Generic Name

Composition

Therapeutic Category

Division

Escitalopram

Escitalopram 5 mg Tablet

Escitalopram 10 mg Tablet

Anti-depressant

GENESIS

    BRAND COMPOSITION DESCRIPTION
    ECT 5  
    Each film coated tablet contains:
    Escitalopram                            5mg
     

    White coloured, round, biconvex, film coated tablet with smooth surface on both sides

     ECT 10:  
    Each film coated tablet contains:
    Escitalopram                            10mg
     
     

    Pink coloured, round, biconvex, film coated tablet with smooth surface on both sides

     

    PHARMACOLOGY

    Pharmacotherapeutic Group: Antidepressants, (SSRI)

    Pharmacodynamic properties:  Escitalopram blocks he reuptake of serotonin at the serotonin reuptake transporter of the presynaptic neuronal membrane. This blockade causes increase in intrasynaptic levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, leading to potentiation of serotonergic activity in the central nervous system. Escitalopram has the highest affinity for the serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT). In addition to blocking the serotonin reuptake, escitalopram uniquely binds to allosteic site of SERT leading to enhanced serotonergic neurotransmission.

    Pharmacokinetic properties: Absorption: Readily absorbed from the GI tract (oral). Onset: 1-2 wk.; Distribution: Protein-binding: 56%.;Metabolism: Hepatic; converted to metabolites.;Excretion: Urine (as unchanged drug); 27-32 hr (elimination half-life).

    INDICATIONS :  Major depressive disorder, panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder.

    DOSE  : Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety10 mg once daily, increased if necessary. Max: 20 mg daily. Panic disorderInitially, 5 mg daily, increased to 10 mg daily after 7 days. Max: 20 mg daily. Elderly: Half the adult dose.

    PATIENT INFORMATION

     Administration:

    • NOLAR may be taken with or without food.
    • Do not take the medication within 2 hours of taking an antacid that contains aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide, as these antacids may alter the effectiveness of NOLAR.

    Food Interaction: Fruit juices such as grapefruit, orange and apple may reduce the bioavailability and exposure of NOLAR.

    Pregnancy:   Category C

    Nursing Mothers: There are no adequate and well controlled studies in women during lactation. However, when terfenadine was administered to nursing mothers, fexofenadine was found to cross into human breast milk. Therefore, NOLAR is not recommended for breast-feeding women.

    Storage:  Store in a cool and dry place; Protect from light, heat and moisture; Keep away from the reach of children.

    • Missed dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember
    • Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose
    • Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
    CONTRAINDICATIONS : Concomitant use with or within 2 wk of MAOI withdrawal, Hypersensitivity. 
     
    SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS:  History of mania or seizure disorders; work requiring mental alertness; renal and hepatic impairment; pregnancy, lactation; withdraw gradually. Children and adolescents

    ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS : Viral infection (cold/flu); headache, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue; nausea, dyspepsia, dysmenorrhoea.

    DRUG INTERACTIONS :  Co-administration with ketoconazole or erythromycin may increase plasma levels of fexofenadine; Administration of antacid containing aluminium or magnesiuhydroxide causes reduction in bioavailability; Pramlintide may increase the anticholinergic effect of fexofenadine; Bioavailability may be increased by verapamil; Efficacy may be reduced by rifampin; May increase adverse effects of other anticholinergics and CNS depressants; May increase arrhythmogenic effect of antipsychotic agents (phenothiazines); avoid concurrent usage; May reduce the efficacy of betahistine.

    PRESENTATION

    ECT5 : Each box contains 
    20 pack of 10 tablets per strip
     
    ECT 10 : Each box contains 
    20 pack of 10 tablets per strip