escitalopram
Brand names: Lexapro
Escitalopram is a medicine used to treat depression and anxiety. It helps to balance chemicals in your brain.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$14.05/unit
Generic Price
$0.04/unit
Generic Savings
100%
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.
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.
How to Take It
Take escitalopram once a day, either in the morning or evening. You can take it with or without food. The usual starting dose is 10 mg per day. Your doctor may increase the dose to a maximum of 20 mg per day if needed.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Taking escitalopram during pregnancy, especially later in pregnancy, may cause problems for the newborn. There is a pregnancy registry, call 1-844-405-6185.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store escitalopram at room temperature, between 68°F and 77°F.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 70,796 FDA adverse event reports.
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
Death-Related Reports
10,908
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 |
| 3 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 8,598 |
| 4 | HEADACHE | 7,114 |
| 5 | DIARRHOEA | 6,709 |
| 6 | ANXIETY | 6,447 |
| 7 | DIZZINESS | 6,087 |
| 8 | DEPRESSION | 5,978 |
| 9 | OFF LABEL USE | 5,853 |
| 10 | PAIN | 5,646 |
| 11 | FALL | 5,401 |
| 12 | DYSPNOEA | 5,273 |
| 13 | VOMITING | 5,090 |
| 14 | INSOMNIA | 4,377 |
| 15 | ASTHENIA | 4,355 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) 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 of...
Mechanism: These two drugs are nearly identical, so taking them together is like taking a double dose of the same medicine.
What to do: You should not take these two medications together.
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.
What to do: This combination is not allowed and should be avoided to prevent serious health problems.
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 contraind...
Mechanism: Escitalopram raises the amount of pimozide in your blood, which can cause dangerous heart rhythm issues.
What to do: You should not take these two medicines together.
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.
What to do: Use this combination with caution and tell your doctor if you notice any unusual bleeding. They may need to monitor you more frequently.
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 Hemos...
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.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your blood clotting time (INR) very closely. Seek medical help if you notice signs of bleeding like easy bruising or bloody stools.
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?
Is escitalopram safe during pregnancy?
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.
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alprazolam
Xanax
Alprazolam (Xanax) is a medication that can help you with anxiety and panic disorders.
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amitriptyline
Elavil
Amitriptyline is a medicine used to treat depression.
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amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
Adderall, Adderall XR
Adderall XR is a stimulant medicine.
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aripiprazole
Abilify
Aripiprazole (Abilify) is a medicine used to treat certain mental disorders and mood problems.
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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 70,796 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 100% 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 further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
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. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: March 5, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
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