Escitalopram is a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) and the S-enantiomer of racemic citalopram. It is used to restore serotonergic function in the treatment of depression and anxiety. Escitalopram is approximately 150 times more potent than citalopram’s R-enantiomer and is responsible for the vast majority of citalopram’s clinical activity, with some evidence suggesting that the R-enantiomer of racemic citalopram actively dampens the activity of escitalopram rather than existing simply as an inactive enantiomer. Amongst SSRIs, escitalopram exerts the highest degree of selectivity for the serotonin transporter (SERT) relative to other off-targets which may explain its lower rates of adverse effects as compared to other agents in this class. Escitalopram also differentiates itself from other SSRIs via allosteric action on its target - this may be the mechanism responsible for its observed superior efficacy and faster onset compared to other SSRIs.
Escitalopram is indicated for the acute and maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and pediatric patients 12 years old and older and for the acute treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults and pediatric patients 7 years old and older. It is additionally indicated for symptomatic relief of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in Canada.
Beer-Yaacov MHC, Beer-Yaacov, Israel
University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Indiana University Adult Psychiatric Clinic, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan, China
Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea, Republic of
Konkuk University Hospital, Seoul, Korea, Republic of
Kangwon National University Hospital, Chuncheon, Korea, Republic of
Shanti Clinical Trials, Colton, California, United States
A.D.D. Treatment Center, Mission Viejo, California, United States
Veteran Affairs/Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
Forest Investigative Site, Seattle, Washington, United States
Mental Health Centre Copenhagen Department O, Copenhagenl, Denmark
Kasr el ainy school of medicine , Cairo university, Cairo, Egypt
Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
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