Stalopam Plus Tablet is mainly used for the prevention and treatment of comorbid depression. It is an antidepressant and anticonvulsant drug which may also be prescribed to treat and prevent panic attacks and seizures. The medicine belongs to the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. It helps in relaxing the nerves and brain. Stalopam Plus is manufactured by Lupin Ltd.
| Nature | Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors + Benzodiazepine Anticonvulsants |
| Uses | Comorbid Depression, Seizure Disorders, Sleep Disorders, Panic Attacks |
| Composition | Escitalopram and Clonazepam |
| Side Effects | Sleepiness, Nervousness, Uncontrolled Body Movements. Allergy, Muscle Pain, Infection in the Upper Respiratory Tract, Blurred Vision, Decreased Libido, Reduced Intellectual Abilities |
| Precautions | Hypersensitivity, Heart Diseases, Acute Angle Glaucoma, Respiratory Disorders, Liver Impairment Pregnancy, Lactation |
Uses & Benefits of Stalopam Plus:
Stalopam Plus is a combination medicine that shows anticonvulsant properties. It is primarily used to treat:
- Comorbid Depression: It is a medical condition in which social anxiety disorder (SAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) comorbid or co-exist.
Stalopam Plus can also be used to treat and prevent a few other diseases, such as:
- Seizure Attacks
- Panic Attacks
- Sleep Disorders
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Side Effects of Stalopam Plus:
The common side-effects of Stalopam Plus Tablet are:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Confusion
- Memory Impairment
- Lack of coordination in body movements
- Tiredness
- Drowsiness
- Delayed Ejaculation
- Anorgasmia or decreased orgasm
- Decreases sexual desire
Some of the rare side-effects of Stalopam Plus are:
- Low sodium levels
- Abnormal liver function
- Difficulty urinating
- Unusual secretion of breast milk
- Easily developing bruises
- Allergic reactions, Rashes, itching
- Problems in sleeping
- Breathlessness
- Hallucinations
- Upper respiratory tract infection
This is not a comprehensive list of side effects. In case the patient experiences any unwanted side-effect, a doctor should be consulted immediately to seek remedial action.
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Common Dosage of Stalopam Plus:
The patient should administer Stalopam Plus Tablets in accordance with the instructions prescribed by the doctor. Usually, it is prescribed in 3 equally split doses in a day. However, the dosage may vary depending on the severity of the ailment to be treated. A few other factors that help in deciding the dosage of the medicine are the BMI of the patient, the age of the patient, and other underlying health concerns.
- Missed Dosage: Patients should take the missed dose as soon as it is remembered. However, it is advisable not to take the missed dose if it is almost time for the next dose. Under no circumstances, should a double dose be taken to compensate for the missed dosage as it might lead to drug toxicity or other unwanted side effects.
- Overdose: Taking more than the prescribed dosage of the medicine may cause serious side effects or drug toxicity and thus should be refrained from. However, if an overdose is suspected, one must rush to a doctor to seek immediate medical attention. Drowsiness, confusion, and fainting are a few symptoms associated with an overdose of Stalopam Plus.
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Composition and Nature of Stalopam Plus:
Stalopam Plus is a prescription-only medicine that belongs to the class of drugs known as benzodiazepine anticonvulsants.
It is a combination of two drugs – Clonazepam and Escitalopram. These components have mood-enhancing and anxiety-lowering properties.
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How to Use Stalopam Plus Tablet?
- Stalopam Plus Tablet should be consumed exactly as per the prescription of the doctor. One must not increase or decrease the dosage without consulting a doctor.
- It is advised to swallow the tablet as a whole, without chewing, crushing or breaking it.
- The absorption of Stalopam is not influenced by food and thus can be consumed with or without food, as advised by the doctor. However, to prevent any undesirable effect, especially in patients suffering from gastric disorders, it is recommended to be taken post having a meal.
How Stalopam Plus Tablet Works?
The two ingredients of Stalopam Plus, Clonazepam and Escitalopram have anxiety lowering and mood-enhancing properties.
- Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine or BZD which helps in increasing the action of GABA, a chemical messenger whose function is to suppress the abnormal actions of nerve cells in the brain. Clonazepam helps to prevent and cure seizures and hence, it is used to treat epilepsy in infants as well as adults.
- Escitalopram is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor or SSRI that helps in increasing the level of serotonin, a chemical messenger that is responsible for uplifting the mood. Escitalopram is used to treat depression. They work on the actions of the brain by controlling the mood with the help of certain chemicals, known as amines.
When is Stalopam Plus Prescribed?
Stalopam Plus is an antidepressant and anticonvulsant drug that is primarily prescribed to treat comorbid depression. A few other conditions, in which it may be prescribed are seizure attack, panic attack, and sleep disorders.
Related Warnings/Precautions: When to Avoid Stalopam Plus?
The following are the precautions and warnings that must be taken into account before and during the consumption of Stalopam Plus Tablet:
- Use of Stalopam Plus should be avoided by the patients who are hypersensitive or allergic to Escitalopram, Clonazepam or any other benzodiazepine medicine. Allergic reactions include wheezing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue and other body parts, itching, hives, and rashes.
Before consuming the medicine, the doctor should be informed :
- If the patient is allergic to any type of foods, preservatives or dyes.
- If the patient pregnant or planning to conceive.
- If the patient is breastfeeding.
3. Use of Stalopam Plus should be avoided if the patient is suffering from:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Bi-polar disorder
- Closed Angle Glaucoma
- Patients with a known history of seizures or fits should avoid using this medicine.
- Patients who experience easy bruising should avoid taking Stalopam Plus.
- This drug must not be administered to an individual less than 18 years of age.
- The doctor should be informed immediately if the patient experiences mood swings or suicidal tendencies during the course of treatment with this medicine
Interactions with Stalopam Plus Tablet:
Interactions with drugs:
Mixing two or more medicines may change how the drug works and may increase the risk of side effects. A few drugs that are known to negatively interact with Stalopam are:
- CYP2C19 Inhibitors
- CYP450 Inducers
- Cimetidine
- Lithium
- Triptans
Interaction with alcohol:
Interaction of Stalopam with alcohol has been reported to cause some adverse effects such as breathing difficulties, difficulty in concentrating, drowsiness, and dizziness. Hence, it is advisable to discontinue the consumption of alcohol during the course of the medicine.
Disease Interactions:
Use of Stalopam should be avoided by the patients suffering from
- Closed Angle Glaucoma
- Respiratory Disorders
- Liver Impairment
- Pimozide
Substitutes for Stalopam Plus:
The following medicines have the same composition and strength as that of Stalopam Plus Tablet and hence, can be used as its substitutes:
- Paniclam Tablet – manufactured by RPG Life Sciences Ltd.
- Destres EC Tablet – manufactured by Midas Healthcare Ltd.
- Esciram Tablet – manufactured by Ceras pharmaceutical Ltd.
- Restovis D Tablet – manufactured by Avis Lifecare Pvt Ltd.
- Atpram Tablet – manufactured by Octane Biotech Ltd
- S-Citapad Plus Tablet – manufactured by Tripada Healthcare Pvt Ltd.
- Desilam Plus Tablet – manufactured by MSN Laboratories
- Ecit-Plus Tablet – manufactured by Talent Healthcare
- Caspa Plus Tablet – manufactured by Thrift Pharmaceuticals
- Citajoy Tablet – manufactured by Wings Biotech Ltd.
- Esopam Tablet – manufactured by JB Chemicals Ltd.
- Citofast Tablet – manufactured by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
- Clodep Plus Tablet – manufactured by Parasol Laboratories
- Enzycare Plus Tablet – manufactured by 4 Care Lifesciences pvt Ltd.
- Elcita Plus Tablet – manufactured by Elixir Formulations Pvt. Ltd.
- Viltaden Tablet – manufactured by Vilberry Healthcare Pvt. Ltd.
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Stalopam Plus Variants:
Following are the variants of Stalopam:
- Stalopam 20 Tablet
- Stalopam 10 Tablet
- Stalopam 5 Tablet
- Stalopam 40 mg Tablet
- Stalopam Plus Tablet
- Stalopam Miniplus Tablet
- Stalopam Lite Tablet
Medicines That Should Not be Taken with Stalopam Plus:
Taking Stalopam Plus Tablet in combination with other over-the-counter medicines, herbal medicines or vitamin supplements may increase the risk of occurrence of unwanted side effects. A few drugs that should never be taken with Stalopam Plus Tablet are:
- Lithium (Severe)
- Cimetidine (Moderate)
- CYP2C19 Inhibitors (Moderate)
- CYP450 inducers (Moderate)
- Triptans
Stalopam Plus Price in India:
| Variant | Price (in INR) | Quantity |
| Stalopam Plus Tablet | 124.25 | 10 Tablets |
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How to Store Stalopam Plus?
- It is advisable to store Stalopam Plus Tablets in a cool and dry place, away from direct heat and sunlight.
- One must keep the medicine away from the reach of children and pets.
- The packaging of the medicine must be kept intact in order to maintain its effect when being administered.
FAQs:
Ans: Stalopam Plus is an antidepressant and anticonvulsant drug that is primarily used to treat comorbid depression. The drug may also be used in the treatment of seizure attacks, panic attack, and sleep-related disorders.
Ans: Stalopam Plus is primarily used to treat comorbid depression. In certain cases, it may also be prescribed to treat seizure attacks, panic attacks, and sleep-related disorders.
Ans: A few common side effects of Stalopam Plus are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, memory impairment, nervousness, uncontrolled body movements, blurred vision, and decreased libido.
In certain cases, Stalopam Plus may even show some rare side effects such as infections in the upper respiratory tract, low sodium levels, hallucinations, painful urination, and abnormal secretion of breast milk.
Ans: No, it is not safe to drive during the course of Stalopam Plus. This is because the consumption of Stalopam Plus tablets may cause side effects such as dizziness and blurred vision.
Ans: Although it is always recommended to check the expiry date of the medicine before administering it, a single expired dose of Stalopam Plus may not cause any severe side effects. However, it must be noted that the efficacy of the medicine may be affected as an expired tablet will not be as effective in treating the symptoms as an unexpired dose. Also, in case the patient experiences any discomfort after the consumption of an expired dosage, a doctor must be consulted immediately to seek remedial action.
Ans: Stalopam Plus can be consumed before or after having a meal, as advised by the doctor. However, patients suffering from gastric disorders are advised to take this medicine post having a meal.
Ans: Yes, Stalopam Plus is known to bear habit-forming tendencies. Stalopam Plus contains Clonazepam as one of its ingredients, which is known to be mildly addictive. Hence, in some cases, the medicine may show habit-forming tendencies. In such cases, gradual discontinuation of the medicine should be taken into account. Consult a doctor to know more about the nature of this medicine.
Ans: Missing a single dose of Stalopam Plus may not cause many effects. However, for medicine to work properly some concentration of medicine should always be present in the body. If a patient continuously misses the dose of the Stalopam Plus, the medicine may not be able to completely cure the ailment for which it has been prescribed.
Ans: Overdosing on Stalopam Plus tablet may lead to severe side effects such as difficulty in breathing, confusion, drowsiness, and dizziness. If an overdose is suspected, patients must immediately visit a doctor to seek remedial action.
Ans: No, Stalopam Plus is not an over-the-counter medicine. It is a prescription-only medicine that legally requires a prescription to be dispensed.
Ans: No, Stalopam Plus should not be co-administered with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) such as moclobemide, selegiline, etc. This may result in serious side effects. There should be a minimum gap of 14 days between the course of MAOIs and treatment with Stalopam Plus so as to avoid their interaction.
Ans: No, it is not advisable to abruptly stop or alter the dosage of Stalopam Plus even if the symptoms are relieved. This medicine is known to show addictive tendencies and hence requires a gradual process for withdrawal. Also, leaving the course of medicine in between may not completely cure the condition it has been prescribed for. Thus, a doctor must always be consulted before stopping the consumption of the medicine.
Ans: No. Stalopam Plus is not safe to be consumed by pregnant women. This is because the medicine poses a serious threat to the health of the developing fetus. The medicine may be consumed by pregnant women only if the benefits outweigh the risks and the medicine is deemed absolutely necessary for consumption by the prescribing doctor.
Ans: No, Stalopalm Plus should not be administered to patients suffering from liver impairment. This is because the medicine may lead to severe side effects in such patients. Close monitoring of the functioning of the liver and dosage alteration may be required in such patients.
Ans: No, Stalopam Plus is not safe to be consumed by lactating mothers. This is because the medicine may adversely affect the health of the infant. If absolutely necessary, lactating mothers must refrain from breastfeeding the infant until the medicine is completely eliminated from the body.
Ans: Following are the contraindications of Stalopam Plus:
Hypersensitivity
Liver Impairment
Closed Angle Glaucoma
Heart-related disorders
Respiratory Disorders
Ans: No. Stalopam is not banned in India. However, it is a prescription-only medicine that needs a prescription to be dispensed.
Ans:
The medicine should be stored away from direct sunlight and heat.
It should be stored in a dry and cool place.
The medicine should be kept out of reach of pets and children
Ans: No, Stalopam Plus Tablets should not be administered to patients below 18 years of age.
Ans: No, it is not advisable to consume alcohol during the course of treatment with Stalopam Plus. Their interaction may result in adverse effects such as breathing difficulties, concentrating difficulties, drowsiness and dizziness.
Ans: Yes, Stalopam Plus can make you sleepy. Sleepiness is one of the most common side effects associated with administering Stalopam Plus.
Ans: Stalopam Plus may show its effect on energy, sleep, and appetite within the first 1-2 weeks of starting the course of the treatment. However, it may take up to months to see the full recovery in the condition. A doctor must be consulted for ascertaining the most appropriate dose and duration instructions for the medicine.
