Lexapro

Escitalopram oxalate.

Lexapro 10 mg: Each tablet contains 10 mg escitalopram (as 12.77 mg escitalopram oxalate).
Lexapro 20 mg: Each tablet contains 20 mg escitalopram (as 25.54 mg escitalopram oxalate).
The 10 and 20 mg tablets can be divided into equal doses.
Excipients/Inactive Ingredients: Tablet Core: Microcrystalline cellulose, Colloidal anhydrous silica, Talc, Croscarmellose sodium, Magnesium stearate.
Coating: Hypromellose, Macrogol 400, Titanium dioxide (E 171).

Pharmacotherapeutic group: antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. ATC-code: N 06 AB 10.
Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Mechanism of action: Escitalopram is a selective inhibitor of serotonin (5-HT) re-uptake with high affinity for the primary binding site. It also binds to an allosteric site on the serotonin transporter, with a 1000-fold lower affinity. Allosteric modulation of the serotonin transporter enhances binding of escitalopram to the primary binding site, resulting in more complete serotonin reuptake inhibition.
Escitalopram has no or low affinity for a number of receptors including 5-HT1A, 5-HT2, DA D1 and D2 receptors, α1, α2-, β-adrenoceptors, histamine H1, muscarine cholinergic, benzodiazepine, and opioid receptors.
The inhibition of 5-HT re-uptake is the only likely mechanism of action explaining the pharmacological and clinical effects of escitalopram.
Escitalopram is the S-enantiomer of the racemate (citalopram) and is the enantiomer to which the therapeutic activity is attributed. Pharmacological studies have shown that the R-enantiomer is not inert but counteracts the serotonin-enhancing and consequent pharmacological properties of the S-enantiomer.
Clinical efficacy: Major Depressive Episodes: Escitalopram has been found to be effective in the acute treatment of major depressive episodes in three out of four double-blind, placebo-controlled short-term (8-weeks) studies.
The antidepressant effect was evident as early as after two weeks for both 10 and 20 mg doses of escitalopram. After 8 weeks of therapy, escitalopram 20 mg was superior to citalopram 40 mg. A dose-response relationship for escitalopram was clearly seen in the severely depressed patients indicating that they are likely to benefit from a higher dose of escitalopram (20 mg) than the usual starting dose (10 mg).
In a long-term (24-week) double-blind study of escitalopram 10 mg vs citalopram 20 mg, escitalopram was as least as effective as citalopram, and half as many escitalopram patients withdrew because of adverse effects. In a long-term relapse prevention study, 274 patients who had responded during an initial 8-week open label treatment phase with escitalopram 10 or 20 mg/day, were randomised to continuation with escitalopram at the same dose, or to placebo, for up to 36 weeks. In this study, patients receiving continued escitalopram experienced a significantly longer time to relapse over the subsequent 36 weeks compared to those receiving placebo.
Panic disorder: The efficacy of escitalopram in the treatment of panic disorder was demonstrated in a 10-week flexible dose study that compared 5-20 mg/day escitalopram to placebo and racemic citalopram 10-40 mg/day.
Escitalopram was statistically significantly superior to placebo as demonstrated by measurement of panic attack frequency, severity, duration, and accompanying symptoms. Citalopram was also efficacious compared to placebo in the majority of efficacy measures.
For the majority of treatment emergent adverse events reported for at least 5% of patients, reporting frequencies were higher in the citalopram group than in the escitalopram group.
Social Anxiety Disorder: Escitalopram was effective in both three short-term (12-week) studies and in responders in a 6 months relapse prevention study in social anxiety disorder.
In a placebo-controlled long-term study (24 weeks) efficacy of 5, 10 and 20 mg escitalopram has been demonstrated.
Escitalopram 20 mg/day was statistically significantly superior to paroxetine 20 mg/day as well as to the 5 mg/day and 10 mg/day doses of escitalopram in the treatment of social anxiety. Transient discontinuation symptoms were seen (lasting for less than 2 weeks in all active treatment groups), with significantly higher levels in paroxetine patients than in escitalopram patients (P≤0.05).
In pooled data comprising 670 escitalopram-treated patients and 341 placebo-treated patients, there were 58.1% vs 40.2 % responders (CGI-I score of 1 or 2) and 24.8% vs 12.9% remitters (CGI-S score of 1 or 2) (P≤0.001).
Generalised anxiety disorder: Escitalopram in doses of 10 and 20 mg/day was effective in four out of four placebo-controlled studies. 5 mg/day was not effective.
In pooled data from three studies with similar 8-week design and comprising 421 escitalopram-treated patients and 419 placebo-treated patients, there were 47.5% vs 28.9% responders and 37.1% vs 20.8% remitters (P≤0.001). Sustained effect was seen from week 1. In the fourth study (12 weeks), which included paroxetine, escitalopram 10 mg/day was significantly superior to paroxetine 20 mg/day. Transient discontinuation symptoms were seen, with significantly higher levels for paroxetine than for escitalopram 5, 10 and 20 mg/day (P≤0.01).
Escitalopram 20 mg/day significantly reduced the risk of relapse in a 24- to 76-week randomised, continuation study in 373 patients who had responded during initial 12-week open label treatment.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder: In the short-term (12 weeks), 20 mg/day escitalopram separated from placebo on the Y-BOCS total score and the Y-BOCS subscales scores of obsessions and rituals, and also on the NIMH-OCS total score. In the observed cases analysis, both 10 mg/day (p=0.005) and 20 mg/day (p<0.001) escitalopram were effective.
The long-term maintenance effect has been demonstrated in two studies; a 24 weeks placebo-controlled, dose-finding study and a 16 weeks placebo-controlled, relapse prevention study.
In the long-term, 24-week, placebo-controlled, dose-finding study, both 10 mg/day (p<0.05) and 20 mg/day (p<0.01) escitalopram were significantly more effective than placebo, as measured by the primary outcome measure, the Y-BOCS total, as well as on the secondary subscales of the Y-BOCS obsessions and rituals, and the NIMH-OCS (10 mg/day (p<0.01) and 20 mg/day (p<0.001) escitalopram).
Maintenance of efficacy and prevention of relapse was demonstrated for 10 and 20 mg/day escitalopram in patients who responded to escitalopram in a 16-week open treatment phase and who were entering a 24-week (double-blind placebo-controlled randomized) relapse prevention trial. In the observed relapse prevention trial, both 10 mg/day (p=0.014) and 20 mg/day (p<0.001) escitalopram showed significantly fewer relapses.
A significant and beneficial effect of escitalopram on quality of life was observed (as assessed by the SF-36 and SDS) in the OCD studies with escitalopram.
Pharmacokinetics: Absorption: Absorption is almost complete and independent of food intake. Mean time to maximum concentration (mean T_max) is 4 hours after multiple dosing. As with racemic citalopram, the absolute bioavailability of escitalopram is expected to be about 80%.
Distribution: The apparent volume of distribution (V_d,β/F) after oral administration is about 12 to 26 L/kg. The plasma protein binding is below 80% for escitalopram and its main metabolites.
Biotransformation: Escitalopram is metabolised in the liver to the demethylated and didemethylated metabolites. Both of these are pharmacologically active. Alternatively, the nitrogen may be oxidised to form the N-oxide metabolite. Both parent substance and metabolites are partly excreted as glucuronides. After multiple dosing the mean concentrations of the demethyl and didemethyl metabolites are usually 28-31% and <5%, respectively, of the escitalopram concentration. Biotransformation of escitalopram to the demethylated metabolite is mediated primarily by CYP2C19. Some contribution by the enzymes CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 is possible.
Elimination: The elimination half-life (t_{½ β}) after multiple dosing is about 30 hours and the oral plasma clearance (Cl_oral) is about 0.6 L/min. The major metabolites have a significantly longer half-life. Escitalopram and major metabolites are assumed to be eliminated by both the hepatic (metabolic) and the renal routes, with the major part of the dose excreted as metabolites in the urine.
There is linear pharmacokinetics. Steady-state plasma levels are achieved in about 1 week. Average steady-state concentrations of 50 nmol/L (range 20 to 125 nmol/L) are achieved at a daily dose of 10 mg.
Elderly patients (>65 years): Escitalopram appears to be eliminated more slowly in elderly patients compared to younger patients. Systemic exposure (AUC) is about 50% higher in elderly compared to young healthy volunteers (see Dosage & Administration).
Reduced hepatic function: In patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Criteria A and B), the half-life of escitalopram was about twice as long and the exposure was about 60% higher than in subjects with normal liver function (see Dosage & Administration).
Reduced renal function: With racemic citalopram, a longer half-life and a minor increase in exposure have been observed in patients with reduced kidney function (CL_cr 10-53 ml/min). Plasma concentrations of the metabolites have not been studied, but they may be elevated (see Dosage & Administration).
Polymorphism: It has been observed that poor metabolisers with respect to CYP2C19 have twice as high a plasma concentration of escitalopram as extensive metabolisers. No significant change in exposure was observed in poor metabolisers with respect to CYP2D6 (see Dosage & Administration).
Toxicology: Preclinical safety data: No complete conventional battery of preclinical studies was performed with escitalopram since the bridging toxicokinetic and toxicological studies conducted in rats with escitalopram and citalopram showed a similar profile. Therefore, all the citalopram information can be extrapolated to escitalopram.
In comparative toxicological studies in rats, escitalopram and citalopram caused cardiac toxicity, including congestive heart failure, after treatment for some weeks, when using dosages that caused general toxicity. The cardiotoxicity seemed to correlate with peak plasma concentrations rather than to systemic exposures (AUC). Peak plasma concentrations at no-effect-level were in excess (8-fold) of those achieved in clinical use, while AUC for escitalopram was only 3- to 4-fold higher than the exposure achieved in clinical use. For citalopram AUC values for the S-enantiomer were 6- to 7-fold higher than exposure achieved in clinical use. The findings are probably related to an exaggerated influence on biogenic amines i.e. secondary to the primary pharmacological effects, resulting in haemodynamic effects (reduction in coronary flow) and ischaemia. However, the exact mechanism of cardiotoxicity in rats is not clear. Clinical experience with citalopram and the clinical trial experience with escitalopram do not indicate that these findings have a clinical correlate.
Increased content of phospholipids has been observed in some tissues e.g. lung, epididymides and liver after treatment for longer periods with escitalopram and citalopram in rats. Findings in the epididymides and liver were seen at exposures similar to that in man. The effect is reversible after treatment cessation. Accumulation of phospholipids (phospholipidosis) in animals has been observed in connection with many cationic amphiphilic medicines. It is not known if this phenomenon has any significant relevance for man.
In the developmental toxicity study in the rat embryotoxic effects (reduced foetal weight and reversible delay of ossification) were observed at exposures in terms of AUC in excess of the exposure achieved during clinical use. No increased frequency of malformations was noted. A pre- and postnatal study showed reduced survival during the lactation period at exposures in terms of AUC in excess of the exposure achieved during clinical use.
Animal data have shown that some SSRIs induces a reduction of fertility index and pregnancy index, reduction in number in implantation and abnormal sperm at exposure well in excess of human exposure.
No animal data related to this aspect are available for escitalopram.

Treatment of major depressive episodes.
Treatment of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia.
Treatment of social anxiety disorder (social phobia).
Treatment of generalised anxiety disorder.
Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Safety of daily doses above 20 mg has not been demonstrated.
Lexapro is administered as a single daily dose and may be taken with or without food.
Major depressive episodes: Usual dosage is 10 mg once daily. Depending on individual patient response, the dose may be increased to a maximum of 20 mg daily.
Usually 2-4 weeks are necessary to obtain antidepressant response. After the symptoms resolve, treatment for at least 6 months is required for consolidation of the response.
Panic disorder with or without agoraphobia: An initial dose of 5 mg is recommended for the first week before increasing the dose to 10 mg daily. The dose may be further increased, up to a maximum of 20 mg daily, dependent on individual patient response.
Maximum effectiveness is reached after about 3 months. The treatment lasts several months.
Social anxiety disorder: Usual dosage is 10 mg once daily. Depending on individual patient response, the dose may be increased to a maximum of 20 mg daily.
Usually 2-4 weeks are necessary to obtain symptom relief. Treatment for 3 months is recommended to consolidate response. Long-term treatment of responders for 6 months has been shown to prevent relapse and can be considered on an individual basis; treatment benefits should be re-evaluated at regular intervals.
Generalised anxiety disorder: Usual dosage is 10 mg once daily. Depending on individual patient response, the dose may be increased to a maximum of 20 mg daily.
Treatment for 3 months is recommended to consolidate response. Long-term treatment of responders for 6 months has been shown to prevent relapse and can be considered on an individual basis; treatment benefits should be re-evaluated at regular intervals.
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD): Usual dosage is 10 mg once daily. Depending on individual patient response, the dose may be increased to 20 mg daily.
Long-term treatment of patients responding to a 16-week open treatment phase has been studied for at least 24 weeks in patients receiving 10 or 20 mg/day. As OCD is a chronic disease, patients should be treated for a sufficient period to ensure that they are symptom free. This period may be several months or even longer.
Elderly patients (>65 years of age): Initial treatment with half the usually recommended dose and a lower maximum dose should be considered (see Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics under Actions).
Children and adolescents (<18 years): Lexapro should not be used in the treatment of children and adolescents under the age of 18 years, see Precautions.
Reduced renal function: Dosage adjustment is not necessary in patients with mild or moderate renal impairment. Caution is advised in patients with severely reduced renal function (CL_CR less than 30 ml/min) (see Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics under Actions).
Reduced hepatic function: An initial dose of 5 mg daily for the first two weeks of treatment is recommended. Depending on individual patient response, the dose may be increased to 10 mg daily (see Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics under Actions).
Poor metabolisers of CYP2C19: For patients who are known to be poor metabolisers with respect to CYP2C19, an initial dose of 5 mg daily during the first two weeks of treatment is recommended. Depending on individual patient response, the dose may be increased to 10 mg daily (see Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics under Actions).
Discontinuation symptoms: When stopping treatment with Lexapro, the dose should be gradually reduced over a period of at least one to two weeks in order to avoid possible discontinuation symptoms (see Precautions and Adverse Reactions).

Toxicity: Clinical data on escitalopram overdose are limited and many cases involve concomitant overdoses of other drugs. In the majority of cases mild or no symptoms have been reported. Fatal cases of escitalopram overdose have rarely been reported with escitalopram alone; the majority of cases have involved overdose with concomitant medications. Doses between 400 and 800 mg of escitalopram alone have been taken without any severe symptoms.
Symptoms: Symptoms seen in reported overdose of escitalopram include symptoms mainly related to the central nervous system (ranging from dizziness, tremor, and agitation to rare cases of serotonin syndrome, convulsion, and coma), the gastrointestinal system (nausea/vomiting), and the cardiovascular system (hypotension, tachycardia, QT prolongation, and arrhythmia) and electrolyte/fluid balance conditions (hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia).
Treatment: There is no specific antidote. Establish and maintain an airway, ensure adequate oxygenation and respiratory function. Gastric lavage and the use of activated charcoal should be considered. Gastric lavage should be carried out as soon as possible after oral ingestion. Cardiac and vital signs monitoring are recommended along with general symptomatic supportive measures.

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients, listed in Description.
Concomitant treatment with non-selective, irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO-inhibitors) (see Interactions).
Concomitant treatment with pimozide.

The following special warnings and precautions apply to the therapeutic class of SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors).
Paradoxical anxiety: Some patients with panic disorder may experience increased anxiety symptoms at the beginning of treatment with antidepressants. This paradoxical reaction usually subsides within the first two weeks of treatment. A low starting dose is advised to reduce the likelihood of an anxiogenic effect (see Dosage & Administration).
Seizures: The medicinal product should be discontinued in any patient who develops seizures. SSRIs should be avoided in patients with unstable epilepsy and patients with controlled epilepsy should be carefully monitored. SSRIs should be discontinued if there is an increase in seizure frequency.
Mania: SSRIs should be used with caution in patients with a history of mania/hypomania. SSRIs should be discontinued in any patient entering a manic phase.
Diabetes: In patients with diabetes, treatment with an SSRI may alter glycaemic control. Insulin and/or oral hypoglycaemic dosage may need to be adjusted.
Suicide/suicidal thoughts: Depression is associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts, self-harm and suicide (suicide-related events). This risk persists until significant remission occurs. As improvement may not occur during the first few weeks or more of treatment, patients should be closely monitored until such improvement occurs. It is general clinical experience that the risk of suicide may increase in the early stages of recovery.
Other psychiatric conditions for which escitalopram is prescribed can also be associated with an increased risk of suicide-related events. In addition, these conditions may be co-morbid with major depressive disorder. The same precautions observed when treating patients with major depressive disorder should therefore be observed when treating patients with other psychiatric disorders.
Patients with a history of suicide-related events, or those exhibiting a significant degree of suicidal ideation prior to commencement of treatment, are at greater risk of suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts and should receive careful monitoring during treatment. In addition, there is a possibility of an increased risk of suicidal behaviour in young adults.
Patients (and caregivers of patients) should be alerted about the need to monitor for the emergence of such events and to seek medical advice immediately if these symptoms present.
Akathisia/psychomotor restlessness: The use of SSRIs/SNRIs has been associated with the development of akathisia, characterised by a subjectively unpleasant or distressing restlessness and need to move often accompanied by an inability to sit or stand still. This is most likely to occur within the first few weeks of treatment. In patients who develop these symptoms, increasing the dose may be detrimental.
Hyponatraemia: Hyponatraemia, probably due to inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), has been reported rarely with the use of SSRIs and generally resolves on discontinuation of therapy. Caution should be exercised in patients at risk, such as elderly, cirrhotic patients or patients concomitantly treated with medications known to cause hyponatraemia.
Haemorrhage: There have been reports of cutaneous bleeding abnormalities, such as ecchymoses and purpura, with SSRIs. SSRIs/SNRIs may increase the risk of postpartum haemorrhage (see Use in Pregnancy & Lactation, Adverse Reactions). Caution is advised in patients taking SSRIs, particularly with concomitant use of oral anticoagulants; medicinal products known to affect platelet function (e.g. atypical antipsychotics and phenothiazines, most tricyclic antidepressants, acetylsalicylic acid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicinal products (NSAIDs), ticlopidine and dipyridamole); and in patients with known bleeding tendencies.
ECT (electroconvulsive therapy): There is limited clinical experience of concurrent administration of SSRIs and ECT; therefore, caution is advisable.
Reversible, selective MAO-A inhibitors: The combination of escitalopram with MAO-A inhibitors is generally not recommended due to the risk of onset of a serotonin syndrome (see Interactions).
For information on concomitant treatment with non-selective, irreversible MAO-inhibitors (see Interactions).
Serotonin syndrome: Caution is advisable if escitalopram is used concomitantly with medicinal products with serotonergic effects such as triptans (including sumatriptan), opioids (including tramadol), and tryptophan. In rare cases, serotonin syndrome has been reported in patients using SSRIs concomitantly with serotonergic medicinal products. A combination of symptoms, such as agitation, tremor, myoclonus and hyperthermia may indicate the development of this condition. If this occurs, treatment with the SSRI and the serotonergic medicinal product should be discontinued immediately and symptomatic treatment initiated.
St. John's Wort: Concomitant use of SSRIs and herbal remedies containing St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) may result in an increased incidence of adverse reactions (see Interactions).
Discontinuation symptoms seen when stopping treatment: Discontinuation symptoms when stopping treatment are common, particularly if discontinuation is abrupt (see Adverse Reactions). In clinical trials adverse events seen on treatment discontinuation occurred in approximately 25% of patients treated with escitalopram and 15% of patients taking placebo.
The risk of discontinuation symptoms may be dependent on several factors including the duration and dose of therapy and the rate of dose reduction. Dizziness, sensory disturbances (including paraesthesia and electric shock sensations), sleep disturbances (including insomnia and intense dreams), agitation or anxiety, nausea and/or vomiting, tremor, confusion, sweating, headache, diarrhoea, palpitations, emotional instability, irritability, and visual disturbances are the most commonly reported reactions. Generally, these symptoms are mild to moderate, however, in some patients they may be severe in intensity.
They usually occur within the first few days of discontinuing treatment, but there have been very rare reports of such symptoms in patients who have inadvertently missed a dose.
Generally, these symptoms are self-limiting and usually resolve within 2 weeks, though in some individuals they may be prolonged (2-3 months or more). It is therefore advised that escitalopram should be gradually tapered when discontinuing treatment over a period of several weeks or months, according to the patient's needs (see "Discontinuation symptoms seen when stopping treatment" under Dosage & Administration).
Angle-Closure Glaucoma: SSRIs including escitalopram may have an effect on pupil size resulting in mydriasis. This mydriatic effect has the potential to narrow the eye angle resulting in increased intraocular pressure and angle-closure glaucoma, especially in patients pre-disposed. Escitalopram should therefore be used with caution in patients with angle-closure glaucoma or history of glaucoma.
Effects on ability to drive and use machines: Although Lexapro has been shown not to affect intellectual function or psychomotor performance, any psychoactive medicinal product may impair judgement or skills. Patients should be cautioned about the potential risk of an influence on their ability to drive a car and operate machinery.
Use in Children: Antidepressants should not be used in the treatment of children and adolescents under age of 18 years.
Suicidality in Children and Adolescents: Antidepressants increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders.
Anyone considering the use of an antidepressant in a child or adolescent for any clinical use must balance the risk of increased suicidality with the clinical need.
Patients who are started on therapy should be observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior.
Families and caregivers should be advised to closely observe the patient and to communicate with the prescriber.

Pregnancy: Limited clinical data are available regarding exposure to escitalopram during pregnancy.
Animal studies have shown reproductive toxicity (see Pharmacology: Toxicology: Preclinical safety data under Actions).
Escitalopram should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly needed and after careful consideration of the risk/benefit ratio.
Newborns should be observed if maternal use of escitalopram continues into the later stages of pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester. If escitalopram is used until or shortly before birth, discontinuation effects in the newborn are possible.
The following symptoms may occur in the neonate after maternal SSRI/SNRI use in later stages of pregnancy: respiratory distress, cyanosis, apnoea, seizures, temperature instability, feeding difficulty, vomiting, hypoglycaemia, hypertonia, hypotonia, hyperreflexia, tremor, jitteriness, irritability, lethargy, constant crying, somnolence and difficulty sleeping. These symptoms could be due to either serotonergic effects or discontinuation symptoms. In a majority of instances, the complications begin immediately or soon (<24 hours) after delivery.
Epidemiological data have suggested that the use of SSRIs in pregnancy, particularly in late pregnancy, may increase the risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn (PPHN). The observed risk was approximately 5 cases per 1000 pregnancies. In the general population 1 to 2 cases of PPHN per 1000 pregnancies occur.
Observational data indicate an increased risk (less than 2-fold) of postpartum haemorrhage following SSRI/SNRI exposure within the month prior to birth (see Precautions, Adverse Reactions).
Lactation: It is expected that escitalopram will be excreted into human milk and, breast-feeding is not recommended during the treatment.
Fertility: Animal data have shown that some SSRIs may affect sperm quality (see Pharmacology: Toxicology: Preclinical safety data under Actions). Human case reports with some SSRIs have shown that an effect on sperm quality is reversible. Impact on human fertility has not been observed so far.

Adverse reactions are most frequent during the first or second week of treatment and usually decrease in intensity and frequency with continued treatment.
Adverse drug reactions known for SSRIs and also reported for escitalopram in either placebo-controlled clinical studies or as spontaneous post-marketing events are listed as follows by system organ class and frequency.
Frequencies are taken from clinical studies; they are not placebo-corrected. Frequencies are defined as: very common (≥1/10), common (≥1/100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1/1000 to ≤1/100), rare (≥1/10000 to ≤1/1000), very rare (≥1/10000), or not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). (See table.)

Click on icon to see table/diagram/image

Cases of QT-prolongation have been reported during the post-marketing period, predominantly in patients with pre-existing cardiac disease. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled ECG study in healthy subjects, the change from baseline in QTc (Fridericia-correction) was 4.3 msec at the 10 mg/day dose and 10.7 msec at the 30 mg/day dose.
Epidemiological studies, mainly conducted in patients 50 years of age and older, show an increased risk of bone fractures in patients receiving SSRIs and TCAs. The mechanism leading to this risk is unknown.
Discontinuation symptoms seen when stopping treatment: Discontinuation of SSRIs/SNRIs (particularly when abrupt) commonly leads to discontinuation symptoms. Dizziness, sensory disturbances (including paraesthesia and electric shock sensations), sleep disturbances (including insomnia and intense dreams), agitation or anxiety, nausea and/or vomiting, tremor, confusion, sweating, headache, diarrhoea, palpitations, emotional instability, irritability, and visual disturbances are the most commonly reported reactions. Generally, these events are mild to moderate and are self-limiting, however, in some patients they may be severe and/or prolonged. It is therefore advised that when escitalopram treatment is no longer required, gradual discontinuation by dose tapering should be carried out (see Dosage & Administration and Precautions).

Pharmacodynamic interactions: Contraindicated combinations: Non-selective MAOIs: Cases of serious reactions have been reported in patients receiving an SSRI in combination with a non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), and in patients who have recently discontinued SSRI treatment and have been started on MAOI treatment (see Contraindications). In some cases, the patient developed serotonin syndrome (see Adverse Reactions).
Escitalopram is contraindicated in combination with non-selective MAOIs. Escitalopram may be started 14 days after discontinuing treatment with an irreversible MAOI and at least one day after discontinuing treatment with the reversible MAOI (RIMA), moclobemide. At least 7 days should elapse after discontinuing escitalopram treatment, before starting a non-selective MAOI.
Pimozide: Co-administration of a single dose of pimozide 2 mg to subjects treated with racemic citalopram 40 mg/day for 11 days caused an increase in AUC and Cmax of pimozide, although not consistently throughout the study. The co-administration of pimozide and citalopram resulted in a mean increase in the QTc interval of approximately 10 msec. Due to the interaction noted at a low dose of pimozide, concomitant administration of escitalopram and pimozide is contraindicated.
Combinations requiring precautions for use: Reversible, selective MAO-A inhibitor (moclobemide): Due to the risk of serotonin syndrome, the combination of escitalopram with a MAO-A inhibitor is not recommended (see Precautions). If the combination proves necessary, it should be started at the minimum recommended dosage and clinical monitoring is strongly recommended.
Escitalopram may be started at least one day after discontinuing treatment with the reversible MAOI (RIMA), moclobemide.
Selegiline: In combination with selegiline (irreversible MAO-B inhibitor), caution is required due to the risk of developing serotonin syndrome.
Serotonergic medicinal products: Co-administration with serotonergic medicinal products e.g. opioids (including tramadol) and triptans (including sumatriptan) may lead to serotonin syndrome.
Medicinal products lowering the seizure threshold: SSRIs can lower the seizure threshold. Caution is advised when concomitantly using other medicinal products capable of lowering the seizure threshold (e.g. antidepressants (tricyclics, SSRIs) neuroleptics (phenothiazines, thioxanthenes, butyrophenones) mefloquine, bupropion, and tramadol).
Lithium, tryptophan: There have been reports of enhanced effects when SSRIs have been given together with lithium or tryptophan, therefore concomitant use of SSRIs with these medicinal products should be undertaken with caution.
St. John's Wort: Concomitant use of SSRIs and herbal remedies containing St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) may result in an increased incidence of adverse reactions. (see Precautions).
Haemorrhage: Altered anticoagulant effects may occur when escitalopram is combined with oral anticoagulants. Patients receiving oral anticoagulant therapy should receive careful coagulation monitoring when escitalopram is started or stopped (see Precautions). Concomitant use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may increase bleeding-tendency (see Precautions).
Alcohol: No pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic interactions are expected between escitalopram and alcohol. However, as with other psychotropic medicinal products, the combination with alcohol is not advisable.
Pharmacokinetic interactions: Influence of other medicinal products on the pharmacokinetics of escitalopram: The metabolism of escitalopram is mainly mediated by CYP2C19. CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 may also contribute to the metabolism although to a smaller extent. The metabolism of the major metabolite S-DCT (demethylated escitalopram) seems to be partly catalysed by CYP2D6.
Co-administration of escitalopram with omeprazole (a CYP2C19 inhibitor) resulted in moderate (approximately 50%) increase in the plasma concentrations of escitalopram.
Co-administration of escitalopram with cimetidine (moderately potent general enzyme-inhibitor) resulted in moderate (approximately 70%) increase in the plasma concentrations of escitalopram.
Caution should thus be exercised at the upper end of the dose range of escitalopram when used concomitantly with CYP2C19 inhibitors (e.g. omeprazole, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, lansoprazole, ticlopidine) and with cimetidine.
A reduction in the dose of escitalopram may be necessary based on clinical judgement.
Effect of escitalopram on the pharmacokinetics of other medicinal products: Escitalopram is an inhibitor of the enzyme CYP2D6. Caution is recommended when escitalopram is co-administered with medicinal products that are mainly metabolised by this enzyme, and that have a narrow therapeutic index, e.g. flecainide, propafenone and metoprolol (when used in cardiac failure), or some CNS acting medicinal products that are mainly metabolised by CYP2D6, e.g. antidepressants such as desipramine, clomipramine and nortriptyline or antipsychotics like risperidone, thioridazine and haloperidol. Dosage adjustment may be warranted.
Co-administration with desipramine or metoprolol resulted in a two-fold increase in the plasma levels of these two CYP2D6 substrates.
In vitro studies have demonstrated that escitalopram may also cause weak inhibition of CYP2C19. Caution is recommended with concomitant use of medicinal products that are metabolised by CYP2C19.

Incompatibilities: Not applicable.
Special precautions for disposal: Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

Do not store above 30°C.
Shelf life: 2 years.

Antidepressants

N06AB10 - escitalopram ; Belongs to the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Used in the management of depression.

B