Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking escitalopram as follows:
- Alcohol, opioid pain medications, such as, hydrocodone and codeine, a number of OTC cough medications, antihistamines, muscle relaxant medications, and antianxiety medications can further add to the dizziness and confusion caused by escitalopram. This can result in compromised safety, falls, and accidents and so, must be avoided taken together with escitalopram.
- Escitalopram carries significant risk for obstruction to the drainage of fluid (aqueous humor) inside the eye. This blockage of fluid in the eye can result in increase in the intraocular pressure, eye pain, headache, blurred vision with haloes around light, compromised vision, and glaucoma. So, escitalopram is contraindicated or cautiously administered in glaucoma patients. Individuals with history of glaucoma must discuss with their physician on safety with escitalopram intake and observe extra caution in watching out for exacerbation of eye pain and deterioration of vision. Report any eye pain and changes with vision, while taking escitalopram, to your physician immediately, so that, an alternative plan of care could be considered. Observe compliance with any periodical vision exams recommended.
- Escitalopram intake carries the risk of causing seizures, especially in individuals with history of seizures. Individuals can present with sudden episodes of loss of consciousness, intense convulsions with muscle contractions, bowel and bladder incontinence. Do not ignore seizure episodes and report them to your physician promptly for any appropriate measures to be considered. Discuss with your physician regarding your history of seizures, if any, if you are newly started on escitalopram. If you are newly diagnosed with seizure complaint, discuss with your physician regarding your safety with continuing on escitalopram, if you have been using escitalopram for long. Observe compliance with intake of anti-seizure medications prescribed, if any.
- Escitalopram use in expectant mothers could harm the unborn baby and result in birth defects. So, escitalopram should be cautiously used or avoided for an alternative drug during pregnancy and in women planning for pregnancy. Women in the child-bearing age group, taking escitalopram on a regular basis, must employ effective contraceptive measures in order to avoid getting pregnant.
