Escitalopram

Generic Name: Escitalopram

Brand Names: Cipralex, Lexapro

Drug Type: Small Molecule

Chemical Formula: C_₂₀H_₂₁FN_₂O

CAS Number: 128196-01-0

Unique Ingredient Identifier: 4O4S742ANY

Background: 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.

Indication: 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.

Associated Conditions: Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Clinical Trials

Efficacy and Safety of Bifidobacterium Combined With High-frequency Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in the Treatment of Adolescent Depression

Not Applicable

Completed

Conditions: Adolescent Depression

Interventions: Drug: Escitalopram Oxalate
Drug: Bifidobacterium
Device: High-frequency rTMS

First Posted Date: 2024-03-22

Last Posted Date: 2024-03-22

Lead Sponsor: Zhen-Hong Hu

Target Recruit Count: 100

Registration Number: NCT06325605

Locations: 🇨🇳
Tangshan Workers' Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei, China

Escitalopram in Asthma Patients with Frequent Exacerbation

Phase 2

Not yet recruiting

Conditions: Asthma

Interventions: Drug: Placebo
Drug: Escitalopram

First Posted Date: 2024-01-22

Last Posted Date: 2024-10-18

Lead Sponsor: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Target Recruit Count: 105

Registration Number: NCT06216535

Locations: 🇺🇸
1440 Empire Central, Ste. LD4.100, Dallas, Texas, United States

A Study Following Women in Menopause Treated With a Non-hormonal Therapy for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

Recruiting

Conditions: Hot Flashes

Interventions: Drug: Fezolinetant
Drug: Paroxetine
Drug: Gabapentin
Drug: Citalopram
Drug: Clonidine
Drug: Pregabalin
Drug: Escitalopram
Drug: Desvenlafaxine
Drug: Oxybutynin
Drug: Any other non-hormonal pharmacologic therapy prescribed for the treatment of VMS not included in a category above
Drug: Venlafaxine
Drug: Any other SSRI/SNRI not already specified

First Posted Date: 2023-09-22

Last Posted Date: 2025-04-24

Lead Sponsor: Astellas Pharma Global Development, Inc.

Target Recruit Count: 1000

Registration Number: NCT06049797

Locations: 🇺🇸
Alabama Clinical Therapeutics, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
🇺🇸
Accel Research Sites-Cahaba Medical Care-OBGYN, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
🇺🇸
Precision Trials AZ, LLC, Phoenix, Arizona, United States

and more 54 locations

Comparison of Vortioxetine Versus Other Antidepressants With Pregabalin Augmentation in Burning Mouth Syndrome

Phase 3

Recruiting

Conditions: Burning Mouth Syndrome

Interventions: Drug: Duloxetine 60 MG
Drug: Vortioxetine 20Mg Tab
Drug: Escitalopram 10mg
Drug: Paroxetine 20 Mg Oral Tablet
Drug: Sertraline 50 MG
Drug: Citalopram 20mg
Drug: Pregabalin 75mg

First Posted Date: 2023-09-06

Last Posted Date: 2023-09-06

Lead Sponsor: Federico II University

Target Recruit Count: 203

Registration Number: NCT06025474

Locations: 🇮🇹
University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italia, Italy

The Effect of a Six Week Intensified Pharmacological Treatment for Bipolar Depression Compared to Treatment as Usual in Subjects Who Had a First-time Treatment Failure on Their First-line Treatment.

Phase 3

Recruiting

Conditions: Bipolar Depression

Interventions: Drug: Escitalopram
Drug: Sertraline
Drug: Venlafaxine
Drug: Lithium
Drug: Valproate acid
Drug: Quetiapine
Drug: Bupropion

First Posted Date: 2023-08-03

Last Posted Date: 2025-05-16

Lead Sponsor: Dr. Inge Winter

Target Recruit Count: 418

Registration Number: NCT05973786

Locations: 🇦🇹
Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
🇩🇪
Universitätsklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
🇩🇪
Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie der Universitätsmedizin Mainz, Mainz, Germany

and more 10 locations

Sertraline Versus Escitalopram in South Asian Participants With Moderate to Severe Major Depressive Disorder

Phase 3

Completed

Conditions: Major Depressive Disorder

Interventions: Drug: Sertraline
Drug: Escitalopram

First Posted Date: 2023-07-18

Last Posted Date: 2023-07-18

Lead Sponsor: KRL Hospital, Islamabad

Target Recruit Count: 744

Registration Number: NCT05950061

Locations: 🇵🇰
KRL Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan

Development and Application of Comprehensive Intervention Techniques for Adolescent Depression

Not Applicable

Recruiting

Conditions: Depressive Disorder
Adolescent

Interventions: Other: Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescent
Other: Escitalopram combined with psychotherapy
Other: Escitalopram combined with rTMS
Drug: Escitalopram combined with sham rTMS
Drug: Escitalopram