Escitalopram
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| Pronunciation | /ˌɛsəˈtæləˌpræm/ |
| Trade names | Cipralex, Lexapro, others[1] |
| Other names | (S)-Citalopram; S-Citalopram; S-(+)-Citalopram; S(+)-Citalopram; (+)-Citalopram; LU-26054; MLD-55 |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| MedlinePlus | a603005 |
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| Routes of administration | By mouth |
| Drug class | Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) |
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| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | ~80%[6][7] |
| Protein binding | ~55–56% (low)[6][7] |
| Metabolism | Liver (CYP2C19, CYP3A4, CYP2D6)[6][7] |
| Metabolites | • Desmethylcitalopram[6][7] • Didesmethylcitalopram[6][7] |
| Elimination half-life | ~27–32 hours[6] |
| Excretion | Urine (major; 8–10% unchanged), feces (minor)[7] |
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.244.188 |
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| Formula | C20H21FN2O |
| Molar mass | 324.399 g·mol−1 |
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| Chirality | Levorotatory enantiomer |
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Escitalopram ( /ˌɛsəˈtæləˌpræm/ ⓘ eh-sə-TA-lə-pram), sold under the brand names Lexapro and Cipralex, among others, is an antidepressant medication of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class.[8] It is mainly used to treat major depressive disorder,[8] generalized anxiety disorder,[8] panic disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), and social anxiety disorder. Escitalopram is taken by mouth.[8] For commercial use, it is formulated as an oxalate salt exclusively.
Common side effects include headache, nausea, sexual problems, mild sedation, and trouble sleeping.[8] More serious side effects may include suicidal thoughts in people up to the age of 24 years.[8] It is unclear if use during pregnancy or breastfeeding is safe.[9] Escitalopram is the (S)-enantiomer of citalopram (which exists as a racemate), hence the name es-citalopram.[8]
Escitalopram was approved for medical use in the United States in 2002.[8] Escitalopram is rarely replaced by twice the dose of citalopram; escitalopram is safer and more effective.[10] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[11] In 2022, it was the second most prescribed antidepressant and fifteenth most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 30 million prescriptions.[12][13] In Australia, it was one of the top 10 most prescribed medications between 2017 and 2023.[14]
Other first-line SSRIs that have similar results include sertraline, paroxetine and fluoxetine among others.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
drugsINTwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Prescription medicines: registration of new generic medicines and biosimilar medicines, 2017". Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 21 June 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ Anvisa (31 March 2023). "RDC Nº 784 - Listas de Substâncias Entorpecentes, Psicotrópicas, Precursoras e Outras sob Controle Especial" [Collegiate Board Resolution No. 784 - Lists of Narcotic, Psychotropic, Precursor, and Other Substances under Special Control] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário Oficial da União (published 4 April 2023). Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ "Lexapro- escitalopram tablet, film coated; Lexapro- escitalopram solution". DailyMed. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
- ^ Human Medicines Division (September 2022). "Active substance(s): escitalopram" (PDF). List of nationally authorised medicinal products. European Medicines Agency. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 September 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f Pastoor D, Gobburu J (January 2014). "Clinical pharmacology review of escitalopram for the treatment of depression". Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol. 10 (1): 121–128. doi:10.1517/17425255.2014.863873. PMID 24289655.
- ^ a b c d e f Rao N (2007). "The clinical pharmacokinetics of escitalopram". Clin Pharmacokinet. 46 (4): 281–290. doi:10.2165/00003088-200746040-00002. PMID 17375980.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "X". The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
- ^ "Escitalopram (Lexapro) Use During Pregnancy". Drugs.com. Archived from the original on 31 December 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
- ^ "Protocol for switching patients from escitalopram to citalopram". NHS. 2015. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
- ^ World Health Organization (2023). The selection and use of essential medicines 2023: web annex A: World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 23rd list (2023). Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/371090. WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2023.02.
- ^ "The Top 300 of 2022". ClinCalc. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ "Escitalopram Drug Usage Statistics, United States, 2013 - 2022". ClinCalc. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ "Medicines in the health system". Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. 2 July 2024. Retrieved 30 September 2024.