Who can take escitalopram
Most adults aged 18 and over can take escitalopram.
If you have diabetes, escitalopram can make it more difficult to keep your blood sugar stable. Your doctor may recommend that you monitor your blood sugar more often for the first few weeks of treatment with escitalopram and adjust your diabetes treatment if necessary.
Who may not be able to take escitalopram
Escitalopram is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor before taking escitalopram if you:
- have ever had an allergic reaction to escitalopram or any other medicine
- have epilepsy or are having electroconvulsive treatment – escitalopram may increase your risk of having a seizure
- have a heart problem – escitalopram can give you an irregular heartbeat or make your heart beat faster
- have ever been tested for low sodium levels
- are trying to become pregnant, already pregnant or breastfeeding
- have glaucoma – escitalopram can increase the pressure in your eye