Indications
- Treatment of major depressive episodes.
- Treatment of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia.
Dosage
- Adults:
Major depressive episodes: A single dose of 20 mg daily, depend on response, may be increased to a maximum of 40 mg daily; treatment should continue until the patient has been free of symptoms for 4 – 6 months to give adequate protection against the possibility of a relapse.
Panic disorder: A single dose of 10 mg for first week before increasing the dose to 20 mg daily, depend on response, may be increased to maximum 40 mg daily; continue treatment for several months.
- Older people (> 65 years of age):
Half of the recommended dose.
- Reduced hepatic function mild – moderate or poor metabolisers regarding CYP2C19:
10 mg daily for the first two weeks, may be increased to a maximum of 20 mg daily.
- Stopping treatment:
Gradually reduced over a period of at least one to two weeks.
If intolerable symptoms occur following a dosage decrease/discontinuation of treatment: resuming the previously prescribed dose; continue decreasing the dose, but at a more gradual rate.
- Reduced renal function
Mild to moderate: Dosage adjustment is not necessary.
Severe (ClCr < 20 ml/min): Do not use.
- Children and adolescents under 18 years of age:
Do not use.
Usage
Taken with or without food, but with fluid, either in the morning or in the evening.