Escitalopram
Antidepressant — SSRI
Indications
DepressionGADPanic disorderOCDSocial anxiety
Adult dose
Start 10 mg OD; max 20 mg OD (max 10 mg in elderly or hepatic impairment).
Common side effects
NauseaInsomniaSexual dysfunctionSweating
Serious side effects
Dose-dependent QT prolongationHyponatraemiaSerotonin syndrome
Contraindications
Congenital long QTMAOI within 14 days
Monitoring
- ECG if cardiac risk or QT-prolonging co-medication
- Sodium if elderly
Notable interactions
- QT prolongers
- MAOIs
- Other serotonergic agents
Curated reference based on BNF, Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines and NICE. Verify against current BNF and local guidelines before prescribing.