Loxalate general information
What is Loxalate used for?
Loxalate tablets 10mg are used to treat major depression and symptoms of depressive illness, including anxiety, loss of interest in usual activities, disturbed sleep, change in appetite, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of suicide. Loxalate tablets 10mg are also used to treat other mood disorders that affect daily activities and relationships with others including, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder (social phobia) and generalised anxiety disorder.
How does Loxalate work?
Loxalate tablets 10mg contain escitalopram which is an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Escitalopram is similar in structure to other SSRIs but is more selective and more potent. Loxalate tablets 20mg acts in the brain to correct the chemical imbalance that is thought to be one of the major causes of depression and other mood disorders, particularly a lack of serotonin (a neurotransmitter or brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate) which controls many body activities, including regulating mood. Escitalopram in Loxalate tablets block the reuptake of serotonin from the synapse, which is the gap between nerve cells across which chemical messages are sent from one nerve cell to another. If the re-uptake of serotonin by the first nerve cell (pre-synaptic) is blocked, this means that there is more serotonin remaining for the receiving nerve cell (post-synaptic), which allows nerve cells to communicate with each other for longer. The action of Loxalate tablets 10mg helps relieve symptoms of depression and other mood disorders by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain, which in turn increases stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood.
What does Loxalate contain?
Loxalate tablets 10mg contain escitalopram oxalate, an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), used to treat depression and other mood disorders. They also contain cellulose-microcrystalline, silica - colloidal anhydrous, talc - purified, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, Opadry White, lactose.
Treating depression with Loxalate
Loxalate tablets 10mg contain escitalopram which is an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), used to treat symptoms of depression, including anxiety, loss of interest in usual activities, disturbed sleep, change in appetite, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating and recurrent thoughts of suicide. One of the major causes of depression is thought to be a lack of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter (brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate) that controls mood. Loxalate works by specifically blocking the reuptake of serotonin from the synapse, or gap between nerve cells across which chemical messages are sent to allow nerve cell to communicate with each other. By preventing the reuptake of serotonin by the first nerve cell (pre-synaptic) there is more serotonin remaining for the receiving nerve cell (post-synaptic), so that nerve cells can communicate with each other for longer which increases stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood changes, relieving symptoms of depression.
Loxalate for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Loxalate tablets 10mg contain escitalopram which is an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), used to treat symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), including intrusive unwanted repetitive thoughts and an irresistible urge to keep repeating certain actions, such as hand-washing or counting, to try and prevent some imagined dreaded event. One of the major causes of OCD is thought to be low levels of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter (brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate) and if there is a lack of serotonin, the brain cells involved in nerve pathways that control mood changes generate feelings of anxiety and panic instead of well-being, which is associated with high levels of serotonin. Loxalate works by blocking the reuptake of serotonin from the synapse, or gap between nerve cells across which chemical messages are sent to allow nerve cell to communicate with each other. By preventing the reuptake of serotonin by the first nerve cell (pre-synaptic) there is more serotonin remaining for the receiving nerve cell (post-synaptic), so that nerve cells can communicate with each other for longer which increases stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood changes, relieving symptoms of OCD.
What are the side effects of Loxalate?
The more common side effects reported when taking Loxalate tablets 10mg are generally mild and transient and usually disappear with continued treatment. They include: decreased or loss of appetite, dry mouth, diarrhoea, nausea, sleeplessness, fatigue, drowsiness, increased sweating, sexual problems.
When should Loxalate not be used?
You should not use Loxalate tablets 10mg if you:
- are allergic to escitalopram or any of the ingredients in Loxalate tablets 10mg
- are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding
- have liver disease
- taking any monoamine oxidase inhibitor medications as these can cause serious reactions if taken with Loxalate or within 14 days
- are taking medication that affects blood clotting as these may increase risk of bleeding if taken with Loxalate
- taking other medication that interacts with Loxalate, including, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression, the analgesic tramadol, tryptophan, or phentermine (weight-reducing medicines), migraine medicines like sumatriptan, the antipsychotic pimozide, herbal remedies containing St. John´s Wort, bupropion, for nicotine dependence
What medications interact with Loxalate?
Several medications interact with Loxalate and should either not be taken while you are taking Loxalate or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:
- Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Loxalate: monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression, medication that affects blood clotting like warfarin, as these may increase risk of bleeding if taken with Loxalate
- Drugs that affect Loxalate: tramadol (analgesic) tryptophan or lithium (mood alteration) or phentermine (weight-reducing medicines), medicines used to treat migraine, eg sumatriptan, St John's wort, a herbal remedy used to treat mood disorders, cimetidine for reflux and ulcers
- Drugs that are affected by Loxalate: the antipsychotic pimozide, clozapine for schizophrenia, the anticoagulant warfarin, phenytoin for epilepsy, diazepam (sedative), tolbutamide for treat diabetes , methadone, used to treat drug addiction , bupropion, for nicotine dependence
How should Loxalate be taken?
You should take your Loxalate tablets 10mg with a glass of water with or without food usually once a day, at the same time each day, for several weeks or months, depending on your condition and your doctor’s recommendations. Your doctor may increase your dose, depending on what you are being treated for.
How long should you take Loxalate?
You should take your Loxalate tablets 10mg regularly for as long as recommended by your doctor, usually at least 6 months.
Missed dose of Loxalate
If you miss a dose of Loxalate tablets 10mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.
How should Loxalate be stored?
You should keep your Loxalate tablets 10mg in their blister packs until use and store below 30°C in a cool dry place.