title: Clinical pharmacology review of escitalopram for the treatment of depression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Depression is a serious and debilitating psychiatric condition with serious societal health and economic implications. Escitalopram , the S-enantiomer of racemic citalopram, is an effective treatment for major depressive disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review covers the clinical pharmacology of escitalopram, with emphasis on regulatory approval. Its pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and clinical efficacy for major depressive disorder are evaluated, along with data regarding safety and tolerability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Drug development of escitalopram was heavily guided by prior approval of citalopram. Select safety and efficacy studies for escitalopram in combination with supportive evidence from the results of prior citalopram studies allowed for regulatory approval for acute and maintenance claims in both adults and adolescents, while minimizing burden on the sponsor. Escitalopram has been shown to have better efficacy and safety profile than other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor drugs, including racemic citalopram. The first generic escitalopram was approved in 2012, along with Abbreviated New Drug Applications. The associated cost savings have helped reduce the burden of weighing the benefits of escitalopram over less-expensive alternatives.
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy , N531, 20 N Pine Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 , USA jgobburu@rx.umaryland.edu.
authors.forename: Devin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pastoor
authors.forename: Joga
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gobburu
mesh_terms: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015283:Citalopram / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D015283:Citalopram; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors