Pharmacologic Substance
escitalopram Audio
[ es-sy-ta-loh-pram ]
Brand Names:
Lexapro
Effect:
Increased Central Nervous System Serotonin Activity
May Treat:
Depressive Disorder, Major
More Information:
ChemID; DrugBank; DailyMed; PDR
Definitions related to escitalopram:
  • A drug used to treat depression and certain anxiety disorders. It belongs to the family of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
    NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • S-enantiomer of CITALOPRAM. Belongs to a class of drugs known as SELECTIVE SEROTONIN REUPTAKE INHIBITORS, used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • The active S-stereoisomer of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) citalopram with antidepressant, anti-obsessive-compulsive and antibulimic properties. Escitalopram inhibits the reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) at the serotonin reuptake pump of the neuronal membrane of the presynaptic cell, thereby increasing levels of 5-HT within the synaptic cleft and enhancing the actions of serotonin on 5HT1A autoreceptors. Unlike other SSRIs, escitalopram appears to not only bind to a primary high-affinity site on the serotonin transporter protein but also to a secondary lower-affinity allosteric site that is considered to stabilize and prolong drug binding.
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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