Side Effects of Esipram

The World Federation for Mental Health reports that as much as 22 percent of the world's population suffers from Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Generalized Anxiety Disorder causes worrying and nervousness that interferes with day-to-day activities and often leads to insomnia, depression, headaches and digestive disorders. There are a number of treatments available to help you mitigate the effects of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. In Australia, one commonly prescribed medication is Esipram or escitalopram. Despite its effectiveness, Esipram is not for everyone as it presents several risks for side effects and complications in some patients.

Common Side Effects

• Approximately 18 percent of Esipram users report nausea, making this the most common side effect of the drug. Insomnia and fatigue are also common, occurring in 8 to 9 percent of users. More than 2 percent of patients who take Esipram experience increased sweating, drowsiness and difficult or delayed ejaculation.

Other Side Effects

• Esipram also has the potential to cause a number of other troublesome or annoying, but not dangerous, side effects. Neurological and psychological side effects of the drug include headache, dizziness, abnormal dreams, lethargy, tingling in the extremities, difficulty concentrating, increased appetite, light-headedness and irritability. Some patients experience other gastrointestinal side effects, such as diarrhea, dry mouth, constipation, indigestion, vomiting, abdominal pain and toothaches. Possible musculoskeletal side effects of Esipram include neck or shoulder pain and joint or muscle pain.

Drug Interactions

• There are some medications which produce unwanted side effects when used in conjunction with Esipram. For example, you should not combine Esipram with other medications that elevate levels of the brain chemical serotonin, such as sumatriptan, Linezolid, St. John's wort, amphetamines and tramadol. Excessive serotonin frequently results in a condition called serotonin syndrome that has the potential to cause serious symptoms, including seizures, irregular heartbeat, high fever and unconsciousness. When combined with blood thinners like warfarin, Espiram increases your risk of experiencing uncontrollable bleeding during surgery or following an injury.

Risk of Suicide

• During the first 6 to 12 weeks of Esipram treatment, it is not uncommon for you to experience a worsening in anxiety until your body adjusts to the medication. Some patients experience incidents of suicidal thoughts during this time of adjustment. This is most common in children, adolescents and young adults or people who have experienced suicidal tendencies in the past. Because of the risk of suicide, your doctor is likely to perform check-ups every two weeks during the first few months that you take Esipram. If you experience any thoughts of harming yourself, you should seek prompt medical attention.

Risks

• In addition to minor side effects and the risk of interactions and suicidal thinking, Esipram has the potential to cause serious medical complications. Cardiovascular side effects of Esipram include increased blood pressure, heart palpitations, heart failure and the formation of blood clots. Infrequently, Esipram usage results in severe neurological side effects, including psychosis, delirium, aggressiveness, seizures and hallucinations. Esipram can cause elevations in blood potassium levels or hyperkalemia, which can damage or interfere with the heart and cardiovascular system. Other rare side effects of Esipram include kidney or liver failure, pulmonary embolism or blockage of your lung's main artery and the breakdown of muscle fibers or rhabdomyolysis.