Marquez, Crystal Queen C.
DRUG NAME
GENERIC: Lexapro Potentiates serotonergic activity in the CNS by
BRAND: Escitalopram
Oxalate
CLASS: Antidepressant
THERAPEUTIC: SSRI SOURCE:
PHARMACOLOGIC:
DOSAGE:
Tablet: 5 mg, 10 mg, 20
mg
Liquid: 1 mg per mL
ROUTE: ORAL
MECHANISM OF ACTION INDICATION / CONTRAINDICATION
inhibiting reuptake of serotonin resulting in
antidepression effects with little effect on
norepinephrine or dopamine, an isomer of
citalopram.
 PPD’s Better Pharmacy
Drug hand book 9th Edition 2009
 https://www.scribd.com/
document/6982071/Escitalopram-Oxalate
INDICATION:
 Treatment of major depressive
disorder
 Maintenance treatment for patients
with major depressive disorder.
 Treatment of generalized anxiety
disorder.
CONTRAINDICATION:
 Contraindicated with MAOI use,
with allergy to drug or to
citalopram or any component of the
drug
 Use cautiously in the elderly, with
renal or hepatic impairment, illness
of metabolism or hemodynamic
response, pregnancy, lactation ,
suicidal patients, patients with
seizure disorders.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Risk of serious effects if combined with
citalopram; do not use these drug
concomitantly.
ADVERSE EFFECT
CNS: Somnolence, dizziness, insomnia,
fatigue
Dermatologic: sweating
GI: Nausea, dry mouth, constipation,
diarrhea, indigestion, abdominal pain,
decrease appetite.
GU: Ejaculatory disorders, impotence,
anorgasmia in females, decreased libido.
Respiratory: Rhinitis, sinusitis, flulike
symptoms.
NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES
Dx:
 Check Doctors order
 Monitor the adverse reactions
 Assess patient’s VS
 Culture site of infection before
therapy.
 Culture site of infection before
therapy

Tx:
 Establish appropriate safety
precautions if patient experiences
adverse CNS effects.
 Institute appropriate therapy for
patients suffering from
depressive.
 Provide comfort measures
 Provide safety measures (e.g.
adequate lighting, raised side
rails, etc.) to prevent injuries.
 Provide comfort measures
 Provide safety measures (e.g.
adequate lighting, raised side
rails, etc.) to prevent injuries
EDx:
 Advice any depressed patients to
avoid the use alcohol while being
treated with ant depressive drug.
 Encourage patient to continue use
for 4/u20136 weeks, as directed,
to ensure adequate levels to affect
depression.
 Inform patient of signs and
symptoms of adverse reactions
and therapeutic effects; instruct
him to report changes.
