Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to Escitalopram, citalopram (Celexa), or other drugs.
Do not take Lexapro if you are taking an inhibitor of MAO such as phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate), or have stopped taking them within the past 2 weeks.
You should know that Lexapro (Escitalopram) is very similar to another SSRI citalopram (Celexa). You should not take these two medications together.
Tell your pharmacist what medicines and non-prescription, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention the anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); antihistamines; carbamazepine (Tegretol); cimetidine (Tagamet); ketoconazole (Nizoral); Lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, Lithobid) medications for anxiety, mental illness or seizures; metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), other antidepressants such as desipramine (Norpramin); sedatives; pills to sleep; Sumatriptan (Imitrex); and tranquilizers. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
Tell your doctor if you have recently had a heart attack and if you have or have ever had bipolar disorder; seizures; or the liver, kidney, thyroid or heart disease.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking escitalopram, call your doctor. If you are having surgery, including dental, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking escitalopram.
You should know that Lexapro may cause drowsiness. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
Remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
