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Escitalopram Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 30, 2023.

Applies to the following strengths: 5 mg; 10 mg; 20 mg; 5 mg/5 mL

Usual Adult Dose for:

Usual Geriatric Dose for:

Usual Pediatric Dose for:

Additional dosage information:

Usual Adult Dose for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day; increase if necessary after at least 1 week of treatment to 20 mg once a day
Maintenance dose: 10 to 20 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 20 mg orally once a day

Comment: Treatment should be periodically reassessed to determine the need for ongoing treatment; efficacy beyond 8 weeks has not been systematically studied.

Use: Acute treatment of generalized anxiety disorder

Usual Adult Dose for Depression

Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day; increase if necessary after at least 1 week of treatment to 20 mg once a day
Maintenance dose: 10 to 20 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 20 mg orally once a day

Comments:

  • Acute episodes may require several months or longer of sustained pharmacological therapy beyond response to the acute episode.
  • Patients should be periodically reassessed to determine the need for maintenance treatment.

Use: Acute and maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder

Usual Geriatric Dose for Depression

Recommended dose: 10 mg orally once a day

Use: Acute and maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder

Usual Pediatric Dose for Depression

12 years and older:

  • Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day; increase if necessary after at least 3 weeks of treatment to 20 mg once a day
  • Maintenance dose: 10 to 20 mg orally once a day
  • Maximum dose: 20 mg orally once a day

Comments:
  • Acute episodes may require several months or longer of sustained pharmacological therapy beyond response to the acute episode.
  • Patients should be periodically reassessed to determine the need for maintenance treatment.

Use: Acute and maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder

Renal Dose Adjustments

Mild to moderate renal dysfunction: No adjustment recommended
Severe renal dysfunction: Use with caution

Liver Dose Adjustments

Liver dysfunction: 10 mg orally once a day

Dose Adjustments

Treatment withdrawal: A gradual dose reduction is recommended instead of abrupt cessation where possible

Switching between MAOI and this drug: At least 14 days should elapse between ceasing one of these medicines and starting the other.

Precautions

US BOXED WARNINGS:

  • Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of this drug or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need.
  • Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older.
  • Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide.
  • Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber.
  • This drug is not approved for use in pediatric patients less than 12 years of age.

Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients with major depressive disorder younger than 12 years, and in patients with generalized anxiety disorder younger than 18 years.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:

  • Doses may be administered in the morning or evening, without regard to food.
  • 10 and 20 mg oral tablets are scored and can be divided into equal doses.

General:
  • Dosage should be adjusted based upon individual patient response.
  • Use for extended periods of time should be periodically re-evaluated for long-term usefulness in each individual patient.
  • This drug is indicated as an integral part of a total treatment program that may include other measures.
  • The tablets and oral solution are considered bioequivalent.

Monitoring:
  • Hepatic: Hepatic function
  • Metabolic: Hyponatremia
  • Nervous system: Serotonin syndrome
  • Psychiatric: Emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or any unusual changes in mood or behavior
  • Renal: Renal function

Patient advice:
  • This medicine may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Be alert for the emergence or worsening of symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts, behavior, or thoughts about self-harm. Report any behavior of concern to your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
  • Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines that you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines.
  • This medicine may impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills; do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you know how this drug affects you.

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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