Escitalopram

Question 1

Alternative name

Answer 1

Lexapro

Question 2

How does it work

Answer 2

Block Serotonin reuptake inhibitor

Question 3

Indications (2)

Answer 3

MDD

GAD

Question 4

Typical side effects

Answer 4

Sexual side effects

GI: Nausea, dry mouth, constipation and diarrhea

Agitation

Insomnia

Low sodium

Question 5

What causes the potential emotional flattening, apathy and cognitive slowing

Answer 5

Decrease dopamine

Question 6

Augment for insomnia

Answer 6

Trazadone

Hypnotic

Question 7

Augment for Sexual dysfunction

Answer 7

Buproprion

Question 8

Augment for jitteriness or anxiety

Answer 8

Benzo

Question 9

Why use mirtazapine for augmenting with SSRIs

Answer 9

GI concerns

Lack of sleep

Help with anxiety

Question 10

Drugs to avoid when prescribing this

Answer 10

Prilosec and Nexium

Question 11

How does Prilosec and Nexium affect lexapro

Answer 11

It can increase which lead to toxicity

Question 12

Benefit of choosing Lexapro

Answer 12

It is considered the best first line SSRI:

Lowest interaction

High efficacy including against SNRIs

Lowest side effect profile

Question 13

Therapeutic dosage range

Answer 13

10 - 20 QD

Question 14

When should you take lexapro

Answer 14

Preferably in AM

But you can also take at night

Question 15

Max dosage

Answer 15

20 mg

Some can go as high as 30 mg, but there is no benefit

Question 16

How often do we go up

Answer 16

every four weeks

Question 17

Kidney Impairment

Answer 17

Nothing

Question 18

Liver impairment

Answer 18

Cut dosage in half

Question 19

Elderly population

Answer 19

Cut dosage in half

5 mg initial
10 mg max