Category- Allopathy
Medicine Highlights
| Uses | 1. To treat Depression in teenagers and adults 2. To treat anxiety disorder in adults and children |
| Common Side Effects | 1. Diarrhea 2. Dry mouth 3. Heartburn 4. Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness 5. Trouble sleeping |
| Additional Information | 1. Avoid driving or any hazardous activity after consuming escitalopram, as it can cause dizziness or drowsiness. 2. Its off-label indications include social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and vasomotor symptoms of menopause |
| Storage | 1. The medicine should be stored at room temperature. 2. Keep away from sunlight and moisture. 3. Keep away from the reach of children |
| How to Take This Medicine | To be taken orally with a sip of water |
Escitalopram Uses
Escitalopram 10 mg is an oral medicine belonging to the category of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and is used for the following indications:
- Depression
- Anxiety
Escitalopram side effects
More Common
- Diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Heartburn
- Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
- Trouble sleeping
Less Common
- Bloated or full feeling
- Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, “pins and needles,” or tingling feelings
- Decreased appetite
- Excess air or gas in the stomach or bowels
- General feeling of discomfort or illness
- Increased sweating
- Joint pain
- Muscle aches and pains
- Pain in the neck or shoulders
- Pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
- Passing gas
- Runny nose
- Shivering
- Sneezing
- Stuffy nose
- Tooth problems
- Unusual dreams
- Unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness or feeling of sluggishness
- Yawning
- Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
- Delayed or inability to have an orgasm
- Inability to have or keep an erection
- Loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
- Not able to have an orgasm
How Escitalopram works
Depression and anxiety often involve low levels of serotonin, a brain chemical that helps regulate mood and emotions. Escitalopram increases the level of serotonin, allowing it to stay active longer between brain cells. This helps improve mood and reduce anxiety over time by restoring healthier serotonin levels.
Safety Measures and Warning
Pregnancy
Escitalopram is usually safe in pregnancy, but rare risks exist. Talk to your doctor before using it.
Kidney and Liver Problems
Escitalopram is known to be safe for use in liver and kidney disease patients.
Breastfeeding
Escitalopram is usually safe while breastfeeding. It enters milk in small amounts and is unlikely to affect babies.
Past Mental Health Issues
Escitalopram directly acts on the brain and causes multiple side effects like sedation, drowsiness, and suicidal thoughts. Inform the doctor about your past mental health issues before using escitalopram.
Escitalopram Interaction with Food Product
Avoid consuming alcohol and smoking simultaneously with this medication, as it may affect the drug’s action and show an effect on the brain, leading to severe drowsiness, sedation, and coma in severe cases.
Escitalopram Interaction with Other Medicines
Avoid taking Escitalopram 10 mg with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:
Escitalopram Chemical Structure
IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name
(S)-1-[3-(Dimethyl amino)propyl] -1-(4-fluoro phenyl)-1,3-dihydro iso benzofuran -5-carbonitrile
Intake routine/cycle
Daily dose
Take Escitalopram exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.
Overdose
It is not recommended to take more than 20 mg of Escitalopram per day, as it may cause severe overdosing effects like extreme drowsiness, confusion, unconsciousness, sweating, double vision, low blood pressure, and slurred speech. Immediately seek medical attention and meet the doctor if necessary.
Storage
- Store the medicine at room temperature
- Keep away from sunlight and moisture
- Keep out of reach of children
Directions for use
- Take Escitalopram exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time each day.
- Do not stop taking Escitalopram without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better.
- If you forget to take Escitalopram, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.
Escitalopram Summary
Escitalopram is a Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant used for depression, anxiety, and sometimes panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or social anxiety. It works by stopping the brain from quickly reabsorbing the lost serotonin from its nerve ending to make an individual stay happy, improve mood, and reduce anxiety. Common side effects include nausea, headache, sleep changes, dry mouth, and sexual difficulties. It can be taken with or without food, but alcohol may increase drowsiness, and grapefruit juice is best avoided. Store at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and children.
FAQ’s
What are the side effects of Escitalopram?
Common side effects of escitalopram tablets include nausea, headache, sleep changes, dry mouth, dizziness, and sexual difficulties. Serious but less common effects may involve mood changes, irregular heartbeat, or severe allergic reactions
What are the uses of Escitalopram tablets?
Escitalopram is a long-acting benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety, seizures, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal, and sedation before surgical procedures.
What is the mechanism of action of Escitalopram?
Escitalopram works by helping the brain keep more of a natural chemical called serotonin, which controls mood and anxiety. By keeping serotonin available longer, it helps people feel calmer and improves their mood over time.
What is the drug class of Escitalopram?
Escitalopram belongs to the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and is commonly used for the management of anxiety and depression.
Reference
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. Escitalopram. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan–. Available from.
- Mayo Clinic. Escitalopram (oral route) – Side effects & dosage [Internet]. Rochester (MN): Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1998–2025 [updated 2025 Sep 30; cited 2025 Oct 18]. Available from.
- Drugs.com. Escitalopram: Uses, dosage, side effects, warnings [Internet]. Drugs.com; c1996–2025 [updated 2024 Dec 2; cited 2025 Oct 18]. Available from.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 146570, Escitalopram [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); c2004–2025 [cited 2025 Oct 18]. Available from.
Authors
Siva Krishna Adithya Bhumireddy completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy from GIET School of Pharmacy, affiliated with Andhra University, and from his 3rd year of graduation, he was working as a freelance medical and publication writer. Having expertise in systematic reviews and clinical research. With his keen interest and skills in research and documentation practices, he also reviewed more than 150 manuscripts from international journals like Elsevier, Springer Nature, and Sage Journals, and all the manuscripts were indexed and appeared in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, and he received honorary recognition letters and certificates from all of them. Siva Krishna Adithya also published a few systematic, narrative reviews and a few chapters of international expertise.