Nexito 10: Uses, How It Works, Side Effects
Also known as: Nexito, Nexito 10 mg, Nexito 10 tablet, Escitalopram 10 mg
Nexito 10 is a prescription tablet containing 10 mg of escitalopram, used to treat depression and some anxiety conditions. It belongs to a group of antidepressants called SSRIs. The label warns of suicidal thoughts in children, teenagers and young adults, especially early in treatment, and it must not be stopped suddenly. It is taken only on a doctor's prescription.
- Active ingredient
- Escitalopram 10 mg
- Type of medicine
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Used for
- Anxiety, Depression
- Starts working in
- Often takes several weeks to feel the full benefit
- Effect lasts
- About 27 to 32 hours in the body, which is why it is usually taken once a day
- With or without food
- Can be taken with or without food; follow the label or your doctor's advice
- Alcohol
- Alcohol can add to drowsiness and side effects; best avoided, ask your doctor
- Pregnancy
- Can be used when a doctor judges the benefit outweighs the risk; tell your doctor and do not stop on your own
- Habit-forming
- Not habit-forming in the usual sense, but stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms
- Made by
- VERIFY on pack
Pharmacist review in progress. This page is based on the sources listed below and is being checked by our registered pharmacist.
On this page
- What is Nexito 10 used for?
- How does Nexito 10 work?
- How to take Nexito 10
- Side effects of Nexito 10
- Who should be careful
- Medicines and things that interact with Nexito 10
- If someone takes too much
- Storage
- Regulatory status in India
- Other brands with the same medicine
- Other strengths and forms
- Common questions
What is Nexito 10 used for?
Nexito 10 is a prescription medicine. It is used, on a doctor's advice, to treat depression and some anxiety conditions.
- Treating depression (major depressive disorder)
- Treating generalised anxiety disorder, and, on a doctor's advice, some other anxiety conditions
How does Nexito 10 work?
Escitalopram stops nerve cells from taking serotonin back up too quickly, so more of this chemical messenger stays available between nerve cells. Over some weeks this is linked with better mood and less anxiety.
What happens in your body after you take it
You swallow the tablet
The tablet dissolves in the gut and escitalopram is absorbed into the blood. It can be taken with or without food.
It travels in the blood
Escitalopram is carried around the body and reaches the brain.
It blocks serotonin reuptake
In the brain, escitalopram blocks the transporter that takes serotonin back into nerve cells, so more serotonin stays in the gaps between them.
Mood and anxiety improve over weeks
The benefit builds slowly, often over several weeks, so keep taking it as prescribed and report any worries to your doctor.
The body clears it
The liver breaks escitalopram down. Its half-life is about 27 to 32 hours, which supports one dose a day. Stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms.
How to take Nexito 10
Take Nexito 10 exactly as your doctor has prescribed or as printed on the pack. Your doctor decides the dose, how long you need it and how to reduce it.
- It is usually taken once a day, at about the same time each day.
- It can be taken with or without food. Follow the label or your doctor's advice.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless your next dose is nearly due; then skip it. Do not take two doses together.
- It can take several weeks to work. Do not stop suddenly, even if you feel better; your doctor reduces the dose gradually.
- Family or carers of young people should watch for new or worsening mood changes and tell the doctor promptly.
Side effects of Nexito 10
Some side effects are common and often ease after the first weeks, but a few need urgent help.
Uncommon or mild
- Headache or nausea
- Sweating
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Dizziness or sleepiness
- Trouble sleeping
- Weight change
- Sexual problems
- Joint or muscle pain
Rare but serious: get medical help
- New or worsening low mood, or thoughts of harming yourself or ending your life, especially in young people. Contact a doctor or emergency services at once
- Swelling of the face, lips or throat, or trouble breathing (a severe allergic reaction). Get emergency help
- Fast heartbeat, sweating, shaking, muscle twitching, confusion or agitation (possible serotonin syndrome)
- Fainting or a fast or irregular heartbeat
- Unusual bruising, or blood in urine, stool or vomit
- Unusual excitement or very high energy (possible mania)
Who should be careful
Some people need to check with a doctor before taking Nexito 10, or need extra care while taking it.
- Children, teenagers and young adults: the label warns of more suicidal thoughts and behaviour, especially early in treatment or after a dose change. Watch closely and report changes to the doctor
- Do not stop suddenly: it can cause withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, irritability and poor sleep
- Heart rhythm problems or heart disease
- Bleeding disorders, or taking blood thinners
- Epilepsy, glaucoma, diabetes, kidney or liver problems
- History of mania or bipolar disorder
- Low sodium, especially in older people or those on water tablets
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: talk to your doctor; do not stop on your own
- Driving: avoid if you feel dizzy, sleepy or have blurred vision
Medicines and things that interact with Nexito 10
Nexito 10 can change how other medicines work, and some medicines change its effect. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about everything you take, including herbal remedies.
- MAOI antidepressants and linezolid: must not be combined
- Pimozide: must not be combined
- Other medicines that raise serotonin, including St John's wort: risk of serotonin syndrome
- Blood thinners such as warfarin, aspirin and NSAID painkillers: higher bleeding risk
- Medicines that affect heart rhythm: higher risk of rhythm problems
- Alcohol: can add to drowsiness
If someone takes too much
Taking much more than prescribed can cause drowsiness, vomiting, a fast or irregular heartbeat and seizures. Call 112 or go to the nearest hospital and take the medicine pack with you. Do not drive yourself.
Storage
Store below 30 C in a dry place, protected from light and moisture, in the original strip or pack, and out of the reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date. Check the pack for the exact storage instructions.
Regulatory status in India
Sold in India as a prescription medicine. Nexito 10 contains escitalopram only. The schedule and regulatory position are to be confirmed from the pack and the Drugs Rules.
Other brands with the same medicine
Escitalopram 10 mg tablets are sold under other brand names and as generic medicines. They contain the same medicine; check the label for the strength. Do not switch products without asking your doctor.
Other strengths and forms
Escitalopram is sold in other strengths, and some products combine it with other medicines. The strength and contents are printed on the pack, so check the label of the one you have.
Common questions
Is Nexito 10 a prescription medicine?
Yes. Escitalopram is a prescription medicine in India. Take it only if a doctor has prescribed it, and do not start, stop or change it on your own.
Why does Nexito 10 carry a warning for young people?
Labels warn that antidepressants can increase suicidal thoughts and behaviour in children, teenagers and young adults, especially early in treatment or after a dose change. Report new or worse mood changes to the doctor at once.
Can I stop Nexito 10 suddenly?
No. Stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, irritability and poor sleep. A doctor reduces the dose gradually over weeks or months. Do not stop on your own, even if you feel better.
How long does Nexito 10 take to work?
It often takes several weeks to feel the full benefit. Keep taking it as prescribed and tell your doctor about side effects rather than stopping.
Is Nexito 10 habit-forming?
It is not habit-forming in the usual sense, but stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms. Take it only as prescribed and do not share it.
Can I take Nexito 10 with ibuprofen or aspirin?
NSAID painkillers and aspirin can raise the risk of bleeding with SSRIs. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using them.
What is the difference between Nexito 10 and escitalopram 10 mg?
Nexito is a brand name, and escitalopram is the medicine inside it. Generic escitalopram 10 mg tablets contain the same active ingredient. Check the strength and ingredients on the pack.
Sources
- Escitalopram: an antidepressant. NHS (UK)
- Lexapro (escitalopram) tablets and solution: prescribing information. DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine
- ATC/DDD Index: N06AB10 Escitalopram. WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology