Escitalopram

Introduction
and uses
 sold under the brand names Lexapro and Cipralex, among others, is an antidepressant of
the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class.[6] Escitalopram is mainly used to treat major
depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.[6] It is taken by mouth,[6] available commercially
as an oxalate salt exclusively.
Common side effects include trouble sleeping, nausea, sexual problems, and feeling tired. [6] More
serious side effects may include suicidal thoughts in people up to the age of 24 years. [6] It is unclear if
use during pregnancy or breastfeeding is safe.[7] Escitalopram is the (S)-
enantiomer of citalopram (which exists as a racemate), hence the name es-citalopram.[6]
Escitalopram was approved for medical use in the United States in 2002.[6] Escitalopram is rarely
replaced by twice the dose of citalopram, though escitalopram is safer and more effective.[8] It is on
the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[9] In 2021, it was the fifteenth most
commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 30 million prescriptions.[10][11]

Medical uses[edit]
Escitalopram has FDA approval for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adolescents and
adults, and generalized anxiety disorder in adults.[6] In European countries and the United Kingdom,
it is approved for depression (MDD) and anxiety disorders; these include: general anxiety disorder
(GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and panic disorder with
or without agoraphobia. In Australia it is approved for major depressive disorder