Small molecule
PubChem CID 146570
Escitalopram
Lexapro
- Mechanism of action
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
- In plain language
- Increases the amount of the mood-regulating chemical serotonin available in the brain by blocking its reabsorption by nerve cells.
- How it works
- Escitalopram is the S-enantiomer of racemic citalopram and acts as a highly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), with minimal effects on norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake. Its antidepressant and anxiolytic effects are presumed to result from potentiation of serotonergic activity in the CNS via inhibition of neuronal reuptake of serotonin at the presynaptic transporter. This increases synaptic serotonin availability, and downstream adaptive changes in serotonergic signaling over several weeks are thought to underlie the delayed onset of clinical benefit. Escitalopram shows negligible affinity for other receptors, including muscarinic, histaminergic, and adrenergic receptors, distinguishing it pharmacologically from older tricyclic antidepressants.
- Therapeutic applications
- Indicated for acute and maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older, and for acute treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults and pediatric patients 7 years of age and older.
- Class
- Small molecule
- Therapeutic area
- CNS / Psychiatric
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