escitalopram oxalate at a glance
Medicine class
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant
Licensed uses
Depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalised anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder
Available forms
Swallowed tablets, orodispersible tablets and oral drops
Food
May be taken with or without food
What is escitalopram oxalate used for?
Selected UK products are licensed in adults for:
Major depressive episodes
Panic disorder with or without agoraphobia
Social anxiety disorder (social phobia)
Generalised anxiety disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
How does escitalopram oxalate work?
Escitalopram blocks the serotonin transporter, reducing serotonin reuptake into nerve cells. This changes serotonin signalling in brain pathways involved in mood, anxiety and obsessive symptoms. Improvement usually develops gradually.
escitalopram oxalate preparations and strengths
Dispersible tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg
Oral drops
Route: Oral
Strengths: 20 mg/mL
How to take escitalopram oxalate
Follow the prescription label and leaflet for the supplied formulation. It may be taken with or without food.
Swallow film-coated tablets with water.
Place an orodispersible tablet on the tongue, allow it to break down and swallow with or without water.
Oral drops may be mixed with water, orange juice or apple juice; invert the bottle fully and count the prescribed drops carefully.
escitalopram oxalate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Diarrhoea, constipation or dry mouth
- Dizziness, sleepiness or difficulty sleeping
- Anxiety, restlessness or tremor
- Increased sweating
- Appetite or weight changes
- Tiredness
- Reduced libido, difficulty reaching orgasm, erectile or ejaculation problems
Get urgent medical advice
- Suicidal thoughts or marked worsening of mental health
- Serotonin syndrome: agitation or confusion with sweating, fever, shaking or muscle twitching
- Severe allergic reaction with swelling or breathing difficulty
- Fainting, palpitations or an irregular heartbeat
- Unusual bruising or bleeding, or blood in vomit, urine or stools
- Seizure, severe confusion or symptoms suggesting very low blood sodium
- A new manic episode, such as unusually elevated mood with markedly increased activity
escitalopram oxalate in pregnancy
Escitalopram can be used during pregnancy when its benefits outweigh possible risks after individual assessment. Use later in pregnancy may require observation of the newborn. SSRI exposure near birth is associated with small increases in risks including newborn adaptation problems and postpartum bleeding.
escitalopram oxalate while breastfeeding
Product information does not recommend breastfeeding during treatment because escitalopram enters breast milk. UK specialist guidance says it may be used cautiously for a full-term, healthy infant, although sertraline or paroxetine are preferred. Monitor for irritability, drowsiness, vomiting, poor feeding and inadequate weight gain.
escitalopram oxalate interactions
Check prescribed, over-the-counter and herbal products before combining them with escitalopram.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, including moclobemide, and linezolid
These combinations are contraindicated because they can cause serotonin syndrome.
Medicines that prolong the QT interval
Combined use is contraindicated because effects on cardiac repolarisation may add together and cause dangerous arrhythmias.
Tramadol, other serotonergic opioids and triptans
The combination increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Common questions about escitalopram oxalate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What does “oxalate” mean in escitalopram oxalate?
It is the salt form used in the product; escitalopram is the active antidepressant component.
How quickly does escitalopram start working?
Some effects may appear earlier, but meaningful improvement commonly takes several weeks. Seek review if symptoms worsen while waiting for benefit.
Can escitalopram make anxiety feel worse at first?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.