Escitalopram for the management of major depressive disorder: a review of its efficacy, safety, and patient acceptability

Abstract

Escitalopram (escitalopram oxalate; Cipralex®, Lexapro®) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) and anxiety disorder. This drug exerts a highly selective, potent, and dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the human serotonin transport. By inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin into presynaptic nerve endings, this drug enhances the activity of serotonin in the central nervous system. Escitalopram also has allosteric activity. Moreover, the possibility of interacting with other drugs is considered low. This review covers randomized, controlled studies that enrolled adult patients with MDD to evaluate the efficacy of escitalopram based on the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. The results showed that escitalopram was superior to placebo, and nearly equal or superior to other SSRIs (eg, citalopram, paroxetine, fluoxetine, sertraline) and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (eg, duloxetine, sustained-release venlafaxine). In addition, with long-term administration, escitalopram has shown a preventive effect on MDD relapse and recurrence. Escitalopram also showed favorable tolerability, and associated adverse events were generally mild and temporary. Discontinuation symptoms were milder with escitalopram than with paroxetine. In view of the patient acceptability of escitalopram, based on both a meta-analysis and a pooled analysis, this drug was more favorable than other new antidepressants. The findings indicate that escitalopram achieved high continuity in antidepressant drug therapy.

Escitalopram oxalate inhibits proliferation and migration and induces apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer cells

“…Escitalopram oxalate, also known as Cipralex Departments of 1 Pharmacy and antidepressants (11). The relevant results indicated that escitalopram oxalate was superior to a placebo, and almost as effective as, or superior to, other SSRIs, including citalopram, paroxetine, fluoxetine and sertraline, and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, including duloxetine and sustained-release venlafaxine.…”

“…The relevant results indicated that escitalopram oxalate was superior to a placebo, and almost as effective as, or superior to, other SSRIs, including citalopram, paroxetine, fluoxetine and sertraline, and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, including duloxetine and sustained-release venlafaxine. Escitalopram oxalate also exhibits favorable tolerability and causes generally mild and temporary adverse events (11). Since few studies of reports on the effects of escitalopram oxalate in NSCLC cells have been published, the present study attempts to examine the effects of escitalopram oxalate on NSCLC and the underlying mechanism involved.…”

Influence of Combination Antihypertension Therapy on the Parameters of Vessel Wall Rigidity in Non-Controlled Arterial Hypertension Patients With Depression

“…Данные литературы об антигипертензивных эффектах СИОЗС немногочисленны и достаточно противоречивы [13,14]. Предполагается, что исполь-зование Эс может обеспечивать блокаду пресинапти-ческих серотониновых рецепторов, увеличивать выделение и накопление серотонина в синаптиче-ской щели, и, как результат, стабилизирует функцио-нирование серотонинергической системы [11].…”

Ameliorative Effect of Broccoli Powder on Renal Toxicity in Mice Caused by Continuous Exposure to Escitalopram Antidepressant Drug

“…This activity inhibits serotonin (5-HT) reuptake and increases the amount of serotonin in synaptic clefts, which results in antidepressant action 2,3 .…”