Escitalopram

Escitalopram (trade names Nexito, Anxiset-E (India),Cipralex (Pakistan), Esto (Israel) Lexapro, Cipralex, Seroplex, Elicea, Lexamil, Lexam, Entact (Greece), Losita (Bangladesh), Reposil (Chile), Animaxen (Colombia)), is an antidepressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. It is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adults and children over 12 years of age with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Escitalopram is the (S)-stereoisomer (enantiomer) of the earlier Lundbeck drug citalopram, hence the name escitalopram. Escitalopram is noted for its high selectivity with serotonin reuptake inhibition. Its side effects are typical for the SSRI class. Only one independent study has shown that escitalopram is more effective than citalopram, but in October 2011 it was reported that the company that sponsored the study had links to Lundbeck, the makers. The similarity between escitalopram and citalopram has led to accusations of "evergreening", an accusation that Lundbeck has rejected.