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Escitalopram

Trade Name

Lexapro

Indication

Major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, PCD, PTSD, social phobia

Action

Increases the extracellular levels of serotonin in the synaptic cleft by selectively inhibiting its reuptake

Therapeutic Class

Antidepressant

Pharmacologic Class

SSRI

Nursing Considerations

• Contraindicated with MAOI • May cause suicidal thoughts, insomnia, drowsiness, diarrhea, nausea, serotonin syndrome • May cause QT prolongation with certain medications • Assess for sexual dysfunction • May take 4-6 weeks for full affect to take place • Monitor for serotonin syndrome (mental changes, NV, tachycardia, hyperthermia)