Escitalopram is primarily used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older, as well as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults and children 7 years and older[1][2][3][4][6].
It is also prescribed off-label for other psychiatric conditions, including:
- Social anxiety disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Panic disorder
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Vasomotor symptoms of menopause
Escitalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain to help improve mood and reduce anxiety[1][7][8].
References
- [1] Escitalopram – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
- [2] Escitalopram: Side effects, dosage, uses, and more – Medical News Today
- [3] Escitalopram: Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action – DrugBank
- [4] Escitalopram: MedlinePlus Drug Information
- [6] Escitalopram Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Warnings – Drugs.com
- [7] About escitalopram – NHS
- [8] Common questions about escitalopram – NHS