Selectra
Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Contraindicated for use during pregnancy and lactation (breastfeeding).
Use for liver dysfunction
Should be used with caution in case of liver cirrhosis.
Use for renal impairment
It should be used with caution in patients with renal failure (creatinine clearance less than 30 ml/min).
Use in children
Contraindicated in children and adolescents under 15 years of age.
Use in elderly patients
Should be used with caution in elderly patients.
special instructions
Use with caution in patients with renal failure (creatinine clearance less than 30 ml/min), hypomania, mania, pharmacologically uncontrolled epilepsy, depression with suicidal attempts, diabetes mellitus, elderly patients, cirrhosis of the liver, a tendency to bleeding, simultaneously with taking medications that reduce the threshold of convulsive readiness, causing hyponatremia, with ethanol, with drugs metabolized with the participation of isoenzymes of the CYP2C19 system.
Escitalopram should be prescribed only after 2 weeks. after discontinuation of irreversible MAO inhibitors and 24 hours after discontinuation of therapy with a reversible MAO inhibitor. Non-selective MAO inhibitors can be prescribed no earlier than 7 days after discontinuation of escitalopram.
Some patients with panic disorder may experience increased anxiety at the beginning of treatment with escitalopram, which usually disappears over the next 2 weeks. treatment. To reduce the likelihood of anxiety, low initial doses are recommended.
Escitalopram should be discontinued if epileptic seizures develop or become more frequent in pharmacologically uncontrolled epilepsy.
If a manic state develops, escitalopram should be discontinued.
Escitalopram can increase the concentration of glucose in the blood in diabetes mellitus, which may require dose adjustment of hypoglycemic drugs.
Clinical experience with escitalopram indicates a possible increase in the risk of suicide attempts in the first weeks of therapy, and therefore it is very important to carefully monitor patients during this period.
Hyponatremia associated with decreased ADH secretion occurs rarely with escitalopram and usually disappears when it is discontinued.
If serotonin syndrome develops, escitalopram should be immediately discontinued and symptomatic treatment prescribed.
Impact on the ability to drive vehicles and operate machinery
During the treatment period, patients should avoid driving vehicles and other activities that require high concentration and speed of psychomotor reactions.
Reviews of the drug Selectra. Experience with antidepressants
As I already said in the previous post about early awakening, it was insomnia that forced me to return to experiments with antidepressants more than once. Insomnia and quite noticeable attacks of dizziness, which are clearly intensified by lack of sleep.
This time the choice fell on the drug Selectra, for several reasons. Firstly, the antidepressant Mirzaten, which the psychotherapist prescribed, did not work for me due to too pronounced side effects. Secondly, during a consultation about coronary artery disease and arrhythmia, a capital cardiologist advised to undergo a course of treatment with Cipralex (the least negative effect on cardiovascular activity among antidepressants), and the main active ingredients of these drugs (Cipralex and Selectra) are the same. Well, thirdly, about a year ago a neurologist already recommended Selectra to me, but then I did not dare to try another experiment with antidepressants. About three months ago, insomnia and dizziness finally made me remember about Selectra and I decided this time to try to complete the full course of treatment.
To begin with, instructions for using the drug Selectra:
Cipralex (Selectra) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant. Inhibition of serotonin reuptake leads to an increase in the concentration of this neurotransmitter in the synaptic cleft, enhancing and prolonging its effect on postsynaptic receptor sites. Indications: depressive episodes of any severity; panic disorder with/without agoraphobia.
Method of administration and dosage: Cipralex is prescribed once a day, regardless of food intake.
Depressive episodes: Cipralex 10 mg once daily is usually prescribed. Depending on the patient’s individual response, the dose of Cipralex can be increased to a maximum of 20 mg/day. The antidepressant effect of Cipralex usually develops 2-4 weeks after the start of treatment. After the symptoms of depression disappear, Cipralex therapy must be continued for at least another 6 months to consolidate the effect obtained.
Panic disorder with/without agoraphobia: During the first week of treatment with Cipralex, a dose of 5 mg/day is recommended, which is then increased to 10 mg/day. Depending on the patient’s individual response, the dose of Cipralex can be increased to a maximum of 20 mg/day. The maximum therapeutic effect of Cipralex is achieved approximately 3 months after the start of treatment. Therapy with Cipralex lasts several months.
Side effects: Side effects most often occur during the 1st or 2nd week of treatment with Cipralex and then usually become less intense and occur less frequently as therapy is continued. The most common symptoms are: nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, insomnia or drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, increased sweating, hyperthermia, sinusitis, decreased libido, impotence, impaired ejaculation, anorgasmia (in women). Less common are taste disturbances and sleep disturbances.
Also possible: orthostatic hypotension, hyponatremia, insufficient secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), visual disturbances, vomiting, dry mouth, dizziness, weakness, anaphylactic reactions, changes in laboratory tests of liver function, arthralgia, myalgia, seizures, tremor, movement disorders, serotonin syndrome, hallucinations, mania, confusion, agitation, anxiety, depersonalization, panic attacks, increased irritability, urinary retention, galactorrhea, skin rash, itching, ecchymosis, purpura, angioedema, increased sweating. And, of course, a short report from my medical history:
At the moment I have been using the drug for more than two months. This is a kind of record for the duration of taking antidepressants. For myself, I firmly decided that I would take the pills for at least 6 months, as experts advise, although my whole being is against this outside intervention. But nevertheless, the experiment is...
The side effects of Selectra in my case were expected and predictable: a slight decrease in libido and a rather sensitive disturbance of ejaculation in the direction of increasing the duration of sexual intercourse, which in my case is quite painful to bear - I did not suffer from premature ejaculation, rather the opposite, so this factor is a minus.
For the first two or three days there was mild nausea, then it went away completely. There seem to be no more side effects.
Now about the benefits: the dizziness has decreased quite noticeably. Transient attacks became less frequent and less sensitive. Frankly, I did not believe in the depressive origin of my dizziness, but now I doubt it. Let's see what will happen next.
A week after starting to take the drug, I began to fall asleep again more often when waking up early. For a month and a half, the situation with night sleep was more or less, but then again there was a period of obvious lack of sleep and awakenings at 4 am. But we must admit that you feel better after insomnia - you feel less tired and irritable.
So let's continue the experiment! I'll add another report here in a month.
Comments (from archive):
Igor 04/07/2014 They write that side effects decrease after 2 weeks. Is this really true? I am primarily interested in decreased libido and impaired ejaculation. Or do you have to endure these problems for the entire several months of taking medications? What does your experience say?
Doc (Author) 04/07/2014 To begin with, I would like to note that not everyone experiences side effects. Everything is individual. However, so does the degree of their manifestation.
My experience: I have been taking Selectra for six months now. As I already wrote in the article, I decided to take the recommended course of antidepressant treatment at least once. I only changed the dosage. On one's own.
I started taking Selectra with a quarter of a tablet for 4 days. Only to understand if there is a strong side effect, as I had in the case of Mirzaten.
Then I switched to half a tablet for a week, then took one tablet for 2 months. After that, I again reduced the dosage to half a tablet.
I did not feel any sensitive changes during the dose reduction, except that at this time insomnia and some excitement during the day “struck through” a couple of times. But it passed quickly.
Now I have been taking quarters for the second week. Honestly, to the mildest extent, a feeling of anxiety and some kind of imbalance began to appear, or something... But it doesn’t press, it doesn’t get enough, it’s almost imperceptible. If you do not focus on sensations, then it is almost impossible to notice these changes.
Over these six months, my health can be said to have improved quite noticeably. Pressing dizziness and confusion, in their worst manifestations, are no longer observed. I cannot say that I feel absolutely healthy in this regard, but the severity of these symptoms has clearly decreased. I didn’t particularly suffer from severe anxiety and PA, so I didn’t notice any changes in this regard...
Now about the side.
Yes, there is a side effect. For me it is expressed primarily in the form of ejaculation disorders. To a lesser extent there is a decrease in libido. This became especially noticeable about a week after starting to take Selectra. I can’t give an exact time frame, but after some time these manifestations decrease to some extent. But they don’t go away at all, at least for me. The degree of side effects is clearly related to the dosage; when the dose of the drug is changed, the severity of the disorders also changes. Simply put, by reducing the dose, you can finish sexual intercourse faster. Two days after changing the dosage, this is clearly observed.
Somehow like this.
I would also like to add... Over these six months, I have quite noticeably changed my lifestyle. Or rather, I tried to return to more active physical education, and remembered my long-time passion for homemade crafts. It’s hard to say what actually had the greatest impact on my well-being, I think it was all together. Without these changes, the pills wouldn’t have helped much. It’s also difficult to say what would have happened now without the pills, I think they acted as a kind of catalyst and spurred the process.
Igor 04/07/2014 Thanks for the information!
It turns out to be a rather ambiguous situation: on the one hand, the medicine is intended to treat depression, on the other, it creates sexual problems, which, in turn, can lead to depression. So think about whether to accept it or not...
In your case, did these side effects not have a negative impact on your personal life?
Doc (Author) 04/07/2014 Yes, you have built the right chain: sexual problems can really lead to depression. But here you need to proceed from the initial data, so to speak, compare the cups of your scales. In my case, on the one hand I had severe insomnia, attacks of dizziness, asthenia and extreme fatigue. On the other - my reluctance to take antidepressants, a possible side effect in the form of prolongation of the duration of sexual intercourse, which was confirmed a week after starting to take Selectra, but at the same time on the same side there was hope for some improvements, for the sake of which one can endure some inconvenience in sexual life. In my case, again, prolongation of sexual intercourse is a rather undesirable side effect, since initially I did not suffer from premature ejaculation, rather, on the contrary. Yes, this causes some irritation, and, so to speak, sometimes the question arises whether it’s worth doing this “another time.” But I cannot say that these circumstances have greatly changed my sex life. Much still depends on your spouse. Or several halves
Igor 04/10/2014 Thanks again for the detailed answer!
Anatoly 05/28/2014 Cipralex from the same series helped me, it helped well, it’s a pity not forever))) There were side effects at the beginning of taking it, I tolerated it. I don’t really remember how problematic they were. It was a long time ago. I took it for a long time, about 5 years. 4 years on it without PA and DP. In the end, the body became friends with it and it stopped working. 10 mg once daily. Good luck to all.
Tanechka 01/14/2015 Good afternoon! I have 3 packages of Cipralex in stock (cipralex 10mg No. 28, made in Italy, Milan. Expiration date until 10.2015). Selling below pharmacy price. My contacts: Tatyana 0986679119, 0999365856.
ogonek 02/01/2015 I wrote and wrote a message, but it was erased. Let's keep it short.
I feel terribly dizzy. I'm guessing my head is spinning from Ciprolex withdrawal. One doctor disagreed with me and said: Benign positional paroxysmal vertigo. I don't agree with him.
A couple of months ago I decided to abruptly quit the pills after 5 months of treatment, which was quite successful. Three days later, terrible dizziness began, similar to motion sickness. I realized that it was not in vain that they warned me on the forums, I took a double dose, and everything went away. Then I began to reduce the dose gradually. everything went smoothly. two thirds, half. I waited in line at the doctor. She said to drink bupropion, which is lighter in her opinion. and generally leave Ciprolex at a time. I've been taking bupropion for 4 days. I felt fine. and here we go again – dizziness. Only the second time, but all day. It’s as if I’m getting seasick, it’s completely impossible to concentrate, I feel like the furniture is spinning under me, it’s hard to shift my gaze. and again after stopping the pills. that's why I don't trust the doctor.
Bupropion is a separate issue, but I don’t think it’s from him. and someone drank, what will they say?
Has anyone experienced this kind of dizziness after stopping Ciprolex?
Has anyone encountered a diagnosis of Benign positional paroxysmal vertigo?
I must say, fortunately, I have never had panic attacks or severe causeless and causeless dizziness. migraines, frequent headaches, problems with concentration - there were, they were once diagnosed with VSD, like all Soviet children. but in general, I probably feel better in life than the readers of this site, and I was not ready for such special effects.
Tatyana 02/16/2015 Good afternoon! I have 3 packages of Cipralex (Cipralex, 10mg, No. 28; Manufacturer: Italy, Milan; expiration date 10.2015), I can sell it below the pharmacy cost. Tatyana 0986679119, 0999365856.
Tatyana 03/02/2015 Hello, I have 3 packages of Cipralex (Cipralex 10mg 28 compresse, made in Italy, Milan, expiration date 04/2017) I will sell below the pharmacy cost. Tatyana 0986679119, 0999365856.
Anastasia 04/16/2015 I’m taking Selectra for the first day, along with bellataminal and phenibut. Before that, she took Citalopram and entarapresin. Diagnosis: ANS dysfunction, neurodermatitis, anxiety-neurotic disorder. Started taking Selectra at 1/2 - apparently a bad idea
Mild nausea, head as if in a fog, problems with vision. Difficulty focusing. I really want to sleep, the doctor forbade me from sleeping during the day and more than 8 hours a day. It’s hard to think in general, i.e. solving some serious problems is definitely not for this period. Question: when will this go away???
Lena 05/26/2015 Unfortunately, sexual desire completely died after this drug! It feels like I’m 5 years old, I’m a girl and I don’t feel any excitement, let alone an orgasm that I can’t experience at all. The groom is upset, I'm even more depressed...
Tatyana 06/02/2015 Hello! I have 2 packs of Cipralex 10 mg No. 28 left, expiration date until 10.2017. I will sell below the pharmacy cost (500 UAH), I ship by Nova Poshta and Ukrposhta. Tatiana, 0999365856, 0986679119, Zhitomir.
Tatyana 06/02/2015 Hello, I have 2 packs of Cipralex left (Cipralex 10mg 28 compresse, made in Italy, Milan, expiration date until 10/2017) I will sell below the pharmacy cost (500 UAH), I send by Nova Poshta and Ukrposhta. Tatiana 0986679119, 0999365856, Zhitomir.
Maria 07/15/2015 Good afternoon. My personal experience. Having developed a “very strong neurosis”, I tried a whole bunch of different drugs. Until I switched to Selectra, it has no side effects at all.. as time passes, I clearly realize that having such a sore, you voluntarily listen to yourself and find non-existent side effects and symptoms Once reading the side effects and terrible reviews about the drug Lerivon, which I was taking at that time, I completely fainted. Now it’s funny how it turns out that fear and anxiety play jokes on a person with neurosis.. Selectra is harmless, I completely returned to normal, I took it for quite a long time and One day I stopped and everything is fine now, after three years, neurosis sometimes makes itself felt, but not significantly... apparently you still need to solve problems in your personal life and not eat yourself from the inside. My dears, if you feel bad and it seems that there is no way out, do not despair. Study your disease and collect as much information about it as possible. Realize that it is necessary to identify and remove a traumatic factor from life... Read the works of psychologists, ideally Mikhail Litvak, his books act like medicine... You immediately realize your mistakes and become easier right away. Swimming pool, sports, massage. Only with effort, work and desire will you pull yourself out of this swamp...
Anna 07/21/2015 Side effects: after the first pill I had a convulsive seizure, now I am proving to the neurologist that I do not and have never had epilepsy in 30 years. Nausea, yes, every time after taking it. And my husband also says that these pills make me look like a “carousel horse” – a lost look and a stupid smile. Decreased libido. Yes, there is, but I thought it was from depression. I don’t even know if I felt so bad before taking the pills...
Maria 08/10/2015 Good afternoon! I took Selectra for 3 months, now for about 2 weeks my head doesn’t feel normal, as if in a fog, I can’t concentrate on anything! Could this be due to the withdrawal of blood pressure? and for so long?
Alexandra 08/18/2015 Hello everyone! I had panic disorders, it got to the point that I was afraid to leave the house... I took it for exactly 6 months, and after two months I gradually reduced the dosage to 0.5 tablets. Everything has returned to normal. I sleep soundly and fall asleep right away - which was not the case before, I don’t worry about all sorts of little things. Don’t expect the effect right away, drink it for at least a couple of months)) by the way, the instructions say at least 6!!! By the way, regarding the side effects, for the first 2 weeks I took it with phenoshchepam (so that there would be no nausea, headaches and all sorts of different things) Consult a neurologist)) I’m satisfied
Elena 09/04/2015 I have panic attacks, such that my blood pressure rises to 180/110, I feel like I’m about to die. I relieve these symptoms with Enap (lower blood pressure) and phenazepam. But this is not a cure. The doctor prescribed me Selectra, but I understood from the reviews that these pills are more suitable for those who have insomnia and dizziness. A side effect can also cause PA. So I don’t know whether to take these antidepressants or not?
Doc (Author) 09/04/2015 Why did you think that Selectra is suitable for insomnia and dizziness? If we talk about insomnia, then in this case Mirzaten is more suitable. Until you start taking the drug and until at least 2-3 weeks have passed, you cannot say with absolute certainty whether the prescribed antidepressant is suitable for you or whether you should try another one.
Ellie 09/04/2015 Have you recommended Selectra or Cipralex to anyone in this situation: it is difficult to work at the computer, it is difficult to keep your eyes open when reading or when switching between tasks? The gaze seems to run, the head and neck become heavier. The diagnosis was asthenic neurosis. Also, I sleep well, but I don’t get enough sleep like before, I feel like I’m in a foggy state, my chest turns red from a little emotion. I had anxiety 3 months ago when it started, but I have eradicated this a long time ago, but my concentration is not the same. I don’t know if it’s worth interfering with whether this condition is definitely associated with disturbances in serotonin.
Nelly 09/13/2015 The diagnosis is not yet accurate, post-traumatic syndrome, neurosis, hypersensitivity, anxiety. I was prescribed Selectra, I’m afraid to start drinking. And I’m afraid of the side effects and that after stopping all the symptoms will return. How long does the effect last?
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