A Game-Changer for Diabetes: Polymer Delivers Insulin Painlessly Through Skin
November 25, 2025
Brand Name :
Lexapro
Synonyms :
escitalopram
Class :
Antidepressants and antianxiety drugs; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Dosage Forms & StrengthsÂ
TabletÂ
5mgÂ
10mgÂ
20mgÂ
Oral solutionÂ
5mg/5 mlÂ
Indicated for the treatment of acute and maintenance
10 mg orally each day
Increase the dose upto 20 mg/day after a week
Obsessive-Compulsive DisorderÂ
(Off-Label)
10 mg orally each day
Increase the dose to 20 mg/day after a week
Maintain the lowest effective dose
Assess the need for extended therapy if required
(Off-Label)
After depression- 5-20 mg orally for 8 weeks
After panic disorder- 5-10 mg for 8 weeks
(Off-Label)
After depression- 5-20 mg orally for 8 weeks
After panic disorder- 5-10 mg for 8 weeks
For more than 12 years- 10 mg orally each day
Increase the dose 3 weeks later
Do not exceed more than 20 mg/day
Dosage Forms & StrengthsÂ
TabletÂ
5mgÂ
10mgÂ
20mgÂ
Oral solutionÂ
5mg/5 mlÂ
Obsessive-Compulsive DisorderÂ
25-50 mg orally each day for 7 days
Increase the dose by 25 mg/day every week
Do not exceed the dose of more than 200 mg orally each day
Dose Modifications
For mild to severe hepatic impairment, 10 mg/day
Dosage Forms & StrengthsÂ
TabletÂ
5mgÂ
10mgÂ
20mgÂ
Oral solutionÂ
5mg/5 mlÂ
Major Depressive Disorder
10 mg orally each day
No add-on benefits are seen with 20 mg/day
it may enhance the antiplatelet effect of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents
it may enhance the antiplatelet effect of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents
it may enhance the antiplatelet effect of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents
it may enhance the antiplatelet effect of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents
it may enhance the antiplatelet effect of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents
may have an increased antiplatelet effect when combined with NSAIDs
may have an increased antiplatelet effect when combined with NSAIDs
may have an increased antiplatelet effect when combined with NSAIDs
may have an increased antiplatelet effect when combined with NSAIDs
may have an increased antiplatelet effect when combined with NSAIDs
escitalopram: they may increase the QTc-prolonging effect of QTc-prolonging Agents
escitalopram: they may increase the QTc-prolonging effect of QTc-prolonging Agents
escitalopram: they may increase the QTc-prolonging effect of QTc-prolonging Agents
escitalopram: they may increase the QTc-prolonging effect of QTc-prolonging Agents
escitalopram: they may increase the QTc-prolonging effect of QTc-prolonging Agents
may have an increased antiplatelet effect when combined with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents
meningococcal A C Y and W-135 diphtheria conjugate vaccine
may diminish the metabolism of each other when combined
may diminish the metabolism of each other when combined
may diminish the metabolism of each other when combined
may diminish the metabolism of each other when combined
may diminish the metabolism of each other when combined
may have an increased antiplatelet effect when combined with NSAIDs
may increase the tachycardic effect of Alpha-/Beta-Agonists
may have an increasingly adverse effect when combined with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
antiplatelet agents increase the effect of abrocitinib
it increases the toxicity of SSRIs
it increases the antiplatelet impact of escitalopram
it increases the effect of serotonergic agents
QT-prolongers increase the QTc prolongation of levoketoconazole
it increases the effect of SSRIs
they increase the effect of SSRIs
they increase the effect of SSRIs
they increase the effect of SSRIs
they increase the effect of SSRIs
they increase the effect of SSRIs
it increases the QTc prolongation of QT-prolonging agents
it increases the effect of SSRIs
it increases the QTc prolongation of QT-prolonging agents
may have an increased risk of adverse effects when combined with tropicamide
May increase the hypoglycemic effect of each other when combined
meningococcal A C Y and W-135 diphtheria conjugate vaccine
may diminish the metabolism of each other when combined
may diminish the metabolism of each other when combined
may diminish the metabolism of each other when combined
may diminish the metabolism of each other when combined
may diminish the metabolism of each other when combined
QTc interval is increased both by lenvatinib and escitalopram
may increase the QT-prolonging effect and enhance the risk of bradycardia, hypokalemia
CYP3A strong enhancers of the small intestine may reduce the bioavailability of escitalopram 
May have an increased serotonergic effect when combined with Serotonin/Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors
May have an increased serotonergic effect when combined with Serotonin/Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors
May have an increased serotonergic effect when combined with Serotonin/Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors
May have an increased serotonergic effect when combined with Serotonin/Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors
May have an increased serotonergic effect when combined with Serotonin/Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors
SSRIs increase the antiplatelet effect of NSAIDs
SSRIs increase the antiplatelet effect of NSAIDs
SSRIs increase the antiplatelet effect of NSAIDs
SSRIs increase the antiplatelet effect of NSAIDs
SSRIs increase the antiplatelet effect of NSAIDs
may increase the serotonergic effect of Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
may increase the serotonergic effect of Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
may enhance the risk of hypoglycemia when combined with Escitalopram
may have an increased risk of hypoglycemia when combined with escitalopram
may have an increased serotonergic effect when combined with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with Iobenguane Radiopharmaceutical Products
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with Iobenguane Radiopharmaceutical Products
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with Iobenguane Radiopharmaceutical Products
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with Iobenguane Radiopharmaceutical Products
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with Iobenguane Radiopharmaceutical Products
antiplatelet agents increase the effect of anticoagulants
antiplatelet agents increase the effect of anticoagulants
antiplatelet agents increase the effect of anticoagulants
antiplatelet agents increase the effect of anticoagulants
antiplatelet agents increase the effect of anticoagulants
SSRIs increase the CNS depressing effect of brexanolone
antiplatelet agents increase the toxicity of edoxaban
it increases the toxicity of antiplatelet agents
SSRIs increase the antiplatelet effect of NSAIDs
SSRIs increase the antiplatelet effect of NSAIDs
antiplatelet agents increase the effect of anticoagulation of enoxaparin
may enhance the anticoagulant effect of Vitamin K antagonists
may enhance the anticoagulant effect of Vitamin K antagonists
may enhance the anticoagulant effect of Vitamin K antagonists
may enhance the anticoagulant effect of Vitamin K antagonists
may enhance the anticoagulant effect of Vitamin K antagonists
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect of Agents with blood Glucose lowering effects
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect of Agents with blood Glucose lowering effects
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect of Agents with blood Glucose lowering effects
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect of Agents with blood Glucose lowering effects
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect of Agents with blood Glucose lowering effects
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect of agents with blood glucose lowering effects
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect of agents with blood glucose lowering effects
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect of agents with blood glucose lowering effects
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect of agents with blood glucose lowering effects
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect of agents with blood glucose lowering effects
may diminish the serum concentration of CYP3A4 inducers
may diminish the serum concentration of CYP3A4 inducers
may diminish the serum concentration of CYP3A4 inducers
may diminish the serum concentration of CYP3A4 inducers
may diminish the serum concentration of CYP3A4 inducers
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect
may enhance the hypoglycemic effect
It may reduce the effects when combined with pleurisy root by unspecified interactions mechanism
may increase the antiplatelet effect
may increase the antiplatelet effect
may increase the antiplatelet effect
may increase the antiplatelet effect
may increase the antiplatelet effect
escitalopram and dihydroergotamine intranasal are both known to elevate serotonin levels
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (A2): they may increase the hypoglycemic effect of blood viscosity reducing agents
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (A2): they may increase the hypoglycemic effect of blood viscosity reducing agents
may have an increased hypoglycemic effect when combined with hypoglycemic agents
may have an increased hypoglycemic effect when combined with hypoglycemic agents
may have an increased hypoglycemic effect when combined with hypoglycemic agents
may have an increased hypoglycemic effect when combined with hypoglycemic agents
may have an increased hypoglycemic effect when combined with hypoglycemic agents
When dexrabeprazole and escitalopram is used together, this leads to reduction in the dexrabeprazole’s metabolism
When escitalopram is used together with andrographolide, this leads to enhanced risk or seriousness of bleeding
When indisulam is used together with escitalopram, this leads to a reduction in escitalopram metabolism
When escitalopram is used together with profenamine, this leads to enhanced risk or seriousness of adverse events
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with Alpha2-Agonists
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with Alpha2-Agonists
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with Alpha2-Agonists
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with Alpha2-Agonists
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with Alpha2-Agonists
nafcillin will decrease the effect of action of escitalopram by affecting enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism.
the effect of erythromycin stearate is decreased by lorlatinib, by altering intestinal or hepatic CYP3A4 enzyme metabolism
it may increase the effect of other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors may enhance the anticoagulant effect of Vitamin K
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors may enhance the anticoagulant effect of Vitamin K
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors may enhance the anticoagulant effect of Vitamin K
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors may enhance the anticoagulant effect of Vitamin K
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors may enhance the anticoagulant effect of Vitamin K
may increase the hyponatremic effect of thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics
it decreases the efficacy of antianxiety agents
may increase the hypoglycemic effect of blood glucose-lowering agents
may increase the hypoglycemic effect of blood glucose-lowering agents
may increase the serotonergic effect of Serotonin 5-HT1D Receptor Agonists
may enhance the effect of SSRI
may enhance the effect of SSRI
may enhance the effect of SSRI
may enhance the effect of SSRI
may enhance the effect of SSRI
may enhance the effect of SSRI's
may enhance the effect of SSRI's
may enhance the effect of SSRI's
may enhance the effect of SSRI's
may enhance the effect of SSRI's
may enhance the risk of adverse effects
may enhance the risk of adverse effects
may enhance the risk of adverse effects
may enhance the risk of adverse effects
may enhance the risk of adverse effects
may enhance the risk of adverse effects
may enhance the risk of adverse effects
may enhance the risk of adverse effects
may increase the hypoglycemic effect of Agents with Blood Glucose Lowering Effects
may increase the hypoglycemic effect of Agents with Blood Glucose Lowering Effects
may increase the Glucose-lowering effect of Agents with Blood Glucose Lowering Effects
SSRIs increase the CNS depressing effect of brexanolone
may have an increased QTc-prolonging effect when combined with escitalopram
It may enhance the risk of adverse effects when combined with calcium
sibutramine when administered with escitalopram can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome which includes confusion, vision disturbances, changes in blood pressure , abdominal pain etc
the therapeutic activity of escitalopram may be decreased
anti-platelet agents increase the effect of anti-coagulation of bemiparin
CYP2D6 inhibitors increase the concentration of thioridazine in serum
may increase the levels of each other by decreasing the metabolism
Actions and Spectrum:Â
Escitalopram blocks the reuptake of serotonin in brain by increasing serotonin levels in the synaptic cleft which can alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms. It can treat conditions beyond depression including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and PTSD.Â
Frequency DefinedÂ
>10%Â
Somnolence Â
Ejaculation disorderÂ
Headache Â
Diarrhea  Â
InsomniaÂ
NauseaÂ
1-10%Â
Xerostomia Â
Constipation Â
Decreased libido  Â
Anorgasmia Â
Fatigue Â
Dizziness Â
Indigestion Â
Sweating increased  Â
Abnormal dreaming  Â
Neck/shoulder pain Â
Rhinitis  Â
Flu-like syndrome Â
Decreased appetite Â
Vomiting Â
Impotence Â
Menstrual disorder Â
Sinusitis Â
Lethargy  Â
Flatulence Â
Toothache Â
Weight gain Â
Yawning Â
Abdominal pain Â
Black Box Warning:Â
Risk of suicidal thoughtsÂ
Contraindication/Caution:Â
Escitalopram is contraindicated for hypersensitivity, concurrent use with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and concurrent use with pimozide. It is also contraindicated for patients with seizures, bleeding disorders, suicidal ideation, renal/hepatic impairment, low sodium levels, and taking other serotonin-affecting medications.Â
Pregnancy consideration:Â Â
escitalopram should only be used in a pregnant woman if the potential benefits outweigh the risk to the fetus.Â
Breastfeeding warnings:Â Â
Use the drug cautiously during lactation, as escitalopram is excreted in breast milk.Â
Pregnancy category:Â
Pharmacology:Â
Pharmacodynamics:Â
It involves the impact on the brain serotonin system by blocking reuptake and increasing synaptic levels that potentially alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety.Â
Pharmacokinetics:Â
AbsorptionÂ
Peak plasma concentration is 5 hours.Â
DistributionÂ
Volume of distribution is 12 L/kg Â
MetabolismÂ
Metabolized by CYP2C19 and CYP3A4Â
Elimination and ExcretionÂ
Half-life is 27-32 hoursÂ
Administration:Â
it is an orally taken and available in tablet and liquid forms.Â
Patient information leafletÂ
Generic Name:Â escitalopramÂ
Pronounced: eh-suh-taa-loh-pramÂ
Why do we use escitalopram?Â
Escitalopram treats depression and anxiety disorders effectively due to its ability to increase serotonin levels by reducing excessive worry, anxiety and panic disorder. It may also be prescribed for other anxiety-related disorders like social phobia or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Â