Elxion: function, dosage, side effects, how to use

Use

What is elxion used for?

Elxion is a trademark of tablet medicine which has the active ingredient escitalopram. This drug is an antidepressant that belongs to a class of drugsselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRI).

SSRI drugs can increase serotonin levels and keep levels stable in the brain. Serotonin itself is a type of neurotransmitter that carries information signals in the brain.

Usually, people with depression have low serotonin levels, so they need drugs that can increase their production in the brain, such as SSRIs.

Primarily, this drug is used to treat anxiety disorders in adults, and chronic depressive disorders in adults and adolescents.

This drug is included in the types of prescription drugs that can only be obtained by prescription from a doctor. This drug may be used as part of therapeutic treatment for these conditions. This means that this drug can be used in conjunction with other medicines.

How do I use Elxion?

Some of the following things should be considered when you are using elxion, including:

• Read the instructions for using the drug given by the doctor or listed on the medicine package. Follow the instructions properly.
• This drug is consumed by mouth. You can eat it on an empty stomach or when the stomach is filled with food.
• The doctor will give the lowest dose first to see side effects. If there are no problems, the dose will be increased gradually.
• Do not increase your dose without your doctor's permission.
• Continue to use the medication as recommended by your doctor even if you feel that your health is getting better.
• To feel the benefits, it may take 1-2 weeks, even up to 4 weeks of drug use.

How do I save Elxion?

There are a few things to be aware of when saving elxion, such as:

• Elxion is best stored in a place with a temperature between 15-30 degrees Celsius.
• Keep this drug away from direct light exposure.
• Also keep this drug from damp places such as the bathroom.
• Do not store in the freezer until frozen.
• Keep this medication out of reach of children and pets.

Meanwhile, if you want to get rid of this drug, there are other rules that you must also obey, such as:

• Throw away medicines that are expired or no longer used immediately.
• Do not flush the medicine in the toilet or drain. You should only do this if instructed to do so.
• If you don't know how to properly dispose of a medicine, ask a professional such as a pharmacist for more info.

Dose

What is the elxion dosage for adults?

Adult dosage for anxiety disorders

• Initial dose: 10 milligrams (mg) taken by mouth once a day. Increase the dose of the drug at least one week after using this medicine.
• Maintenance dose: 10-20 mg orally once a day
• Maximum dose: 20 mg taken by mouth once a day

Adult dosage for acute depression

• Initial dose: 10 milligrams (mg) taken by mouth once a day. Increase the dose of the drug at least one week after using this medicine.
• Maintenance dose: 10-20 mg orally once a day
• Maximum dose: 20 mg taken by mouth once a day

Elderly dosage for acute depression

• 10 mg taken by mouth once a day

What is the elxion dosage for children?

Adolescent dosage for depression

• Initial dose: 10 milligrams (mg) taken by mouth once a day. Increase the dose of the drug at least one week after using this medicine.
• Maintenance dose: 10-20 mg orally once a day
• Maximum dose: 20 mg taken by mouth once a day

In what dosage is elxion available?

Elxion is available in 10 mg tablet dosage

Side effects

What are the possible side effects of using Elxion?

The side effects that may occur when using this medicine are divided into serious side effects and side effects that are not too serious.

Side effects that are quite common and not too serious include:

• Headache
• Sweating easily
• The body shivered
• Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia
• Dry mouth
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Change in body weight
• Loss of sexual desire
• Impotent
• It's hard to have an orgasm

If you experience the above side effects and they don't go away on their own, contact your doctor immediately. Meanwhile, for some other types of side effects, you may need to get medical help from a medical professional immediately. Possible serious side effects include:

• The vision is blurry, narrowed, the eye feels sore, swollen, or looks like seeing light
• The mind is easily distracted
• Make risky decisions
• Losing sufficient levels of sodium in the body. This can cause headaches, confusion, difficulty speaking, weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, loss of balance
• Stiff muscles, high body temperature, tremors, or feeling like you might pass out.

Warnings & Precautions

What should be done before using Elxion?

Before deciding to use this drug, there are several things you can do, such as:

• Do not use this medicine within 14 days before and 14 days after you use medicines such as:
  • isocarboxazid
  • linezolid
  • methlene blue injection
  • phenelzine
  • rasagiline
  • selegiline
  • tranylcpromine.
• While using this medicine you should pay attention to mood swings (mood) experience, because in some cases, the mood swings that occur can lead to suicidal thoughts.
• Do not use this medication in children younger than 12 years of age.
• Tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions such as liver or kidney problems, a history of seizures, heart problems, high blood pressure, stroke, bipolar disorder, or drug addiction and suicidal thoughts.
• Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to this drug.
• The use of this drug in the elderly has a higher risk of side effects because the liver condition of the elderly may not be as good as the condition of the liver in ordinary adults, so the body takes longer to process this drug.

Is elxion safe to use for pregnant and lactating women?

Taking SSRIs while pregnant can cause serious lung problems or other problems for the baby. However, if you really need this drug, you should first consult your doctor about using this drug while pregnant and discuss the risks and benefits.

This drug is included in pregnancy risk category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or equivalent to the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) in Indonesia. The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A: No risk,
• B: No risk in some studies,
• C: May be risky,
• D: There is positive evidence of risk,
• X: Contraindicated,
• N: Not known

Meanwhile, this drug may also be released through breast milk (ASI) and accidentally consumed by a breastfeeding baby. Therefore, if you are a breastfeeding mother, make sure you have discussed with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using the drug. Only use this medication if the benefits outweigh the risks.

Interaction

What medicines can interact with Elxion?

Medicines that may interact with Elxion are:

• Blood thinners (warfarin, diclofenac, etodolac, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketorolac, meloxicam, naproxen, apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, rivaroxaban)
• Migraine drugs (almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan)
• Psychiatric drugs (isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcpromine, citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, benzodiazepines, gabapentin)
• Medicines used to reduce stomach acid (cimetidine)
• Diuretic medicines (water pills) (furosemide, torsemide, hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone)
• Serotonergic drugs (other SSRIs, amitriptyline, clomipramine)

What foods and alcohol can interact with Elxion?

If you take this drug at the same time as alcohol, you may experience headaches, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Reduce or avoid alcohol use while using this medicine.

What health conditions can interact with Elxion?

There are several health conditions that can interact with elxion, including:

• Depression
• Kidney disorders
• Hyponatremia, which is an electrolyte disorder in which the sodium content in the body is lower than normal.
• Liver disorders
• Seizures
• Lose weight
• Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), which is a condition in which there is a syndrome that affects the balance of water and minerals in the body.

Tell your doctor if you have any other health problems while using this medication.

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency and overdose?

Symptoms of an overdose from using this drug include:

• acute headache
• low blood pressure
• nausea and vomiting
• fast heart rhythm
• sleep disorders
• seizures
• coma

If you have overdosed or are in an emergency condition, immediately contact the emergency room at the nearest hospital.

What should I do if I miss a dose of medicine?

If you miss a dose of this medicine while using this medicine, take the missed dose right away. However, if it is time to take the next dose, forget about that dose. Do not take multiple doses.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.