Prescription medication · Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)
escitalopram
Also sold as Lexapro. Escitalopram is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and children 12 years and older.
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 134,536
- FDA reportsHeavily reported
- 12
- InteractionsSeveral interactions
- 99% less
- Generic vs brandHuge savings
- $14.05
- Brand price (NADAC)
What the data shows
escitalopram (Lexapro) is a prescription Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI), more reported than roughly 9 in 10 tracked drugs (134,536 FDA reports), whose generic costs a fraction of the brand (about 99% less).
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
escitalopram (Lexapro) is a prescription Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). Escitalopram is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and children 12 years and older.
Escitalopram is a medicine used to treat depression and anxiety. It helps to balance chemicals in your brain.
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$14.05/unit
Generic Price
$0.04/unit
Generic Savings
99%
Generic Available
Yes (17 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Escitalopram is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and children 12 years and older.
Common side effects
Trouble sleeping (insomnia), Problems with ejaculation (mostly delayed ejaculation), Feeling sick to your stomach (nausea)
Key warnings
Antidepressants can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teenagers, and young adults.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from escitalopram's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
Escitalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It works by increasing the amount of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a chemical that helps regulate mood.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 134,536 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for escitalopram, by number of reports
- Fatigue
Fatigue
9,196 reports
- Nausea
Nausea
9,164 reports
- Headache
Headache
7,114 reports
- Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea
6,709 reports
- Anxiety
Anxiety
6,447 reports
- Dizziness
Dizziness
6,087 reports
- Depression
Depression
5,978 reports
- Pain
Pain
5,646 reports
- Fall
Fall
5,401 reports
- Dyspnoea
Dyspnoea
5,273 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for escitalopram each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where escitalopram sits
escitalopram has more FDA adverse-event reports than 91% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is escitalopram; the line is the median (50th percentile).
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 134,536 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2003–2025.
Total Reports
134,536
Reports Mentioning Death
10,908
8.1% of reports — not proof of cause
Hospitalization Reports
42,595
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FATIGUE | 9,196 |
| 2 | NAUSEA | 9,164 |
| 4 | HEADACHE | 7,114 |
| 5 | DIARRHOEA | 6,709 |
| 6 | ANXIETY | 6,447 |
| 7 | DIZZINESS | 6,087 |
| 8 | DEPRESSION | 5,978 |
| 10 | PAIN | 5,646 |
| 11 | FALL | 5,401 |
| 12 | DYSPNOEA | 5,273 |
| 13 | VOMITING | 5,090 |
| 14 | INSOMNIA | 4,377 |
| 15 | ASTHENIA | 4,355 |
| 16 | SOMNOLENCE | 3,953 |
| 17 | CONDITION AGGRAVATED | 3,892 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Antidepressants can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teenagers, and young adults. Watch closely for worsening depression or suicidal thoughts. Escitalopram is not approved for use in children younger than 7 years old.
Known Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Table 6 presents clinically important drug interactions with escitalopram. TABLE 6 Clinically Important Drug Interactions with Escitalopram Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of SSRIs, including escitalopram, and MAOIs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome. Intervention: Escitalopram is contraindicated in patients taking MAOIs, including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue [ see Dosage and Administration (2.7) , Contraindications (4) , and Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Pimozide Clinical Impact: Concomitant use...
Mechanism: These two drugs are nearly identical, so taking them together is like taking a double dose of the same medicine.
Intervention: Escitalopram is contraindicated in patients taking MAOIs, including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue [ see Dosage and Administration (2.7) , Contraindications (4) , and Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Pimozide Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of racemic citalopram with pimozide increases plasma concentrations of pimozide, a drug with a narrow therapeutic index, and may increase the risk of QT prolongation and/or ventricular arrhythmias compared to use of racemic citalopram alone [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
Mechanism: Linezolid acts as a special type of medicine that stops the body from clearing serotonin, which can cause a dangerous reaction when mixed with escitalopram.
Intervention: Escitalopram is contraindicated in patients taking MAOIs, including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue [ see Dosage and Administration (2.7) , Contraindications (4) , and Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Pimozide Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of racemic citalopram with pimozide increases plasma concentrations of pimozide, a drug with a narrow therapeutic index, and may increase the risk of QT prolongation and/or ventricular arrhythmias compared to use of racemic citalopram alone [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Intervention: Escitalopram is...
Mechanism: Escitalopram raises the amount of pimozide in your blood, which can cause dangerous heart rhythm issues.
If serotonin syndrome occurs, consider discontinuation of escitalopram and/or concomitant serotonergic drugs [ see Warnings and Precautions(5.2) ] Drugs That Interfere With Hemostasis (NSAIDs, Aspirin, Warfarin, etc.) Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of escitalopram and an antiplatelet or anticoagulant may potentiate the risk of bleeding. Concomitant use with SSRIs, SNRIs or Tryptophan is not recommended ( 7 ) Use caution when concomitant use with drugs that affect Hemostasis (NSAIDs, Aspirin, Warfarin) ( 7 )
Mechanism: Escitalopram can interfere with how blood cells stick together, and aspirin also thins the blood. Combining them makes it much more likely that you will experience bleeding or bruising.
If serotonin syndrome occurs, consider discontinuation of escitalopram and/or concomitant serotonergic drugs [ see Warnings and Precautions(5.2) ] Drugs That Interfere With Hemostasis (NSAIDs, Aspirin, Warfarin, etc.) Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of escitalopram and an antiplatelet or anticoagulant may potentiate the risk of bleeding. For patients taking warfarin, carefully monitor the internationalnormalized ratio [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ]. Concomitant use with SSRIs, SNRIs or Tryptophan is not recommended ( 7 ) Use caution when concomitant use with drugs that affect...
Mechanism: This combination increases your risk of bleeding because both drugs affect how your blood clots. Escitalopram can also change how your body responds to the blood thinner.
This is a plain-language summary of FDA-label interaction records and does not provide individual medication-combination directions.
Common Questions
Can I stop taking escitalopram suddenly?
Can escitalopram cause weight gain?
Can I drink alcohol while taking escitalopram?
How long does it take for escitalopram to work?
What should I do if I experience side effects?
Can escitalopram be used for other conditions?
Is it safe to take escitalopram with other medications?
What if I feel worse after starting escitalopram?
Does escitalopram interact with any foods?
How often will I see my doctor while taking escitalopram?
What are the common side effects of escitalopram?
Does escitalopram interact with other medications?
What drug class is escitalopram?
Is there a generic version of escitalopram?
What pregnancy or breastfeeding source fields are listed for escitalopram?
Related Medications in Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)
Other drugs grouped near escitalopram - same-class peers and common alternatives.
acamprosate
Campral
Acamprosate is a medicine that can help you stay away from alcohol if you are alcohol-dependent and have already stopped drinking.
Compare with escitalopram →
alprazolam
Xanax
Alprazolam (Xanax) is a medication that can help you with anxiety and panic disorders.
Compare with escitalopram →
amitriptyline
Elavil
Amitriptyline is a medicine used to treat depression.
Compare with escitalopram →
amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
Adderall, Adderall XR
Adderall XR is a stimulant medicine.
Compare with escitalopram →
aripiprazole
Abilify
Aripiprazole (Abilify) is a medicine used to treat certain mental disorders and mood problems.
Compare with escitalopram →
Compare beyond drug class
Nationwide peers by FAERS volume & death-report share
Two PlainMeds-derived comparison paths for escitalopram: nearest FDA FAERS report volume and nearest death-report share among drugs with at least 1,000 logged reports, excluding same-class neighbors listed above. Counts reflect reporting volume, not proven individual harm.
Similar FAERS report volume
Nearest drugs by total FAERS reports. This record: 134,536.
- insulin lispro Δ 338 reports · Rapid-Acting Insulin 134,198reports
- spironolactone Δ 540 reports · Potassium-Sparing Diuretic / Aldosterone Antagonist 133,996reports
- abatacept Δ 1,309 reports · T-Cell Co-Stimulation Modulator 133,227reports
- methylprednisolone Δ 2,789 reports · Corticosteroid 131,747reports
Similar death-report share
Nearest drugs by FAERS death-report share. This record: 8.11%.
- lovastatin Δ 0.00 pts · 25,229 reports · HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor (Statin) 8.11%death share
- benazepril Δ 0.01 pts · 7,061 reports · ACE Inhibitor 8.10%death share
- nadolol Δ 0.03 pts · 7,398 reports · Non-Selective Beta-Blocker 8.14%death share
- gemfibrozil Δ 0.03 pts · 14,954 reports · Fibrate 8.08%death share
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
FDA bioequivalence and label-record context for narrow therapeutic index medicines
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for escitalopram
The FDA label for escitalopram (sold under brand names such as Lexapro) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) class. Escitalopram is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and children 12 years and older. Official labeling lists 8 commonly reported side effects, including Trouble sleeping (insomnia), Problems with ejaculation (mostly delayed ejaculation), Feeling sick to your stomach (nausea).
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 134,536 voluntary reports. The database also lists 12 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.04 versus $14.05 for the brand - a 99% generic savings.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information are separate source-record fields. This page is a public FDA/CMS registry and does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. This registry does not provide medication decisions.
Last updated: March 5, 2025
PlainMeds is rendered directly from FDA openFDA/FAERS extracts, DailyMed labels, and CMS drug-pricing files, no number is typed in by an editor. FAERS counts, recalls, shortages, and price figures on this page are queried live from those federal extracts. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-05-15. Primary sources: openFDA / FAERS, DailyMed and CMS Part B ASP.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled from the source snapshot dated . See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a data issue.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages