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Escitalopram

SSRI • Brands: Lexapro

Last reviewed: 2025-09-26

General information

Indicated for: Major depressive disorder; generalized anxiety disorder.

Dosing & forms

  • Forms/strengths: —
  • Frequency: —
  • Food: —
  • Typical range: 10–20 mg/day

Mechanism (brief)

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; S-enantiomer of citalopram.

Metabolism & Half‑life

  • Metabolism: Primarily CYP2C19 with minor CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 pathways.
  • Half‑life: ~27–32 h (steady state in ~1 week).

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM)

Recommended: No

View labelExact

Monitoring highlights

  • Assess for activation or suicidality, especially in younger adults — Baseline and periodically
  • Monitor for hyponatremia/SIADH in at-risk patients — Baseline and PRN

Sources