Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking escitalopram as follows: Escitalopram takes some time to fairly balance the chemicals in the brain, before any improvement in mood and behavior are noted. It could take about 3 - 6 weeks to see this change in mood. So, do not discontinue taking the medication without consulting your physician, as you failed to see the improvement with depressive symptoms immediately after taking the medication. Escitalopram [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking escitalopram as follows: Serotonin is one chemical in the brain, which in permissible amounts, is believed to reduce anxiety and promote happiness and well-being. Very excessive concentrations of serotonin in the brain can lead to serotonin syndrome. Individuals with serotonin syndrome can present with mania, excitement, hallucinations, agitation, insomnia, pounding heartbeat, very rapid heart rate, overactive reflexes, and diarrhea. Escitalopram use, especially along with other [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking escitalopram as follows: Escitalopram intake can thin the blood and increase risk for bleeding in the skin and mucus membranes. Patients can present with bleeding spots on the skin, internal abdominal bleeding with fresh blood or partially digested blood in the stool, and bleeding in the urine staining the urine brownish red. This risk is further more in individuals concurrently taking blood thinners and anticoagulants, [...]

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 [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking escitalopram as follows: Escitalopram intake carries the risk of lowering the blood pressure. Hypotension, secondary to escitalopram intake, can lead to episodes of confusion and dizziness. Avoid sudden changes in position, until you are used to the side-effects of escitalopram intake. Sudden change of positions can make the confusion and dizzy episodes even worse and precipitate accidents and falls. Report any episodes of increased dizziness, [...]