From the Guidelines
The starting dose of Lexapro (escitalopram) for adults with depression or anxiety is 10 mg once daily. This recommendation is based on the evidence from the American Family Physician study 1, which lists the dosage range for escitalopram as 10 to 20 mg per day.
Key Considerations
- The study suggests that no dose decrease is necessary in renal disease, but consideration should be given for patients with hepatic disease 1.
- It's essential to take Lexapro consistently at the same time each day, with or without food.
- Patients should be aware that antidepressants like Lexapro typically take 2-4 weeks to begin showing therapeutic effects, though side effects may appear sooner.
Potential Side Effects
- Common initial side effects include nausea, headache, insomnia, or increased anxiety, which often diminish within the first few weeks.
- Patients should never stop taking Lexapro abruptly as this can cause withdrawal symptoms; any dosage changes should be supervised by a healthcare provider.
Mechanism of Action
- Lexapro works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, which helps regulate mood.
Special Populations
- For adolescents (12-17 years) or elderly individuals, a lower starting dose may be considered, but the study does not provide specific guidance for these populations 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Escitalopram tablets should be administered once daily, in the morning or evening, with or without food. The recommended dose of Escitalopram tablets is 10 mg once daily.
The starting dose of Lexapro (escitalopram) is 10 mg once daily.
- For adults, the recommended starting dose is 10 mg once daily.
- For adolescents, the recommended starting dose is also 10 mg once daily. 2
From the Research
Starting Lexapro Dose
- The starting dose of Lexapro, also known as escitalopram, is not explicitly mentioned in the provided studies 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- However, according to the study on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in major depression disorder treatment, escitalopram is one of the most commonly prescribed SSRIs and has been shown to be effective in treating depression 4.
- The study on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and adverse effects mentions that escitalopram is a commonly prescribed SSRI, but does not provide information on the starting dose 5.
- Another study on selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors provides an update on the use of SSRIs, including escitalopram, but does not mention the starting dose 6.
- A study on the safety of 80 antidepressants, antipsychotics, anti-attention-deficit/hyperactivity medications, and mood stabilizers in children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders mentions escitalopram as one of the antidepressants with a safer profile, but does not provide information on the starting dose 7.
General Information on SSRIs
- SSRIs, including escitalopram, are commonly prescribed for the treatment of depression and other psychiatric disorders 4, 5, 6.
- The primary mechanism of action of SSRIs is to inhibit presynaptic reuptake of serotonin at the serotonin transporter, subsequently increasing serotonin at the postsynaptic membrane in the serotonergic synapse 5.
- SSRIs have a similar mechanism of action, but each has unique pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and side effect profiles 5.