From the FDA Drug Label
Inactive ingredients: • Tablets: talc, croscarmellose sodium, corn starch, lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose/colloidal silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate.
The tablets also contain the following inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, corn starch, croscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, talc, and a film coating agent
The FDA drug label does not provide information on the safety of consuming corn or corn-containing products for patients taking escitalopram. However, it does list corn starch as an inactive ingredient in the tablets.
- Key points:
From the Research
Yes, it is generally safe for patients taking escitalopram to consume corn and corn-containing products. There are no known interactions between escitalopram and corn that would cause adverse effects or reduce the medication's effectiveness. Escitalopram, commonly sold under brand names like Lexapro, is an SSRI antidepressant that works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, and its metabolism is not significantly affected by corn consumption. Patients should continue taking their prescribed dose of escitalopram (typically 10-20 mg once daily) regardless of their corn intake. While some medications do have food interactions, corn is not known to interfere with escitalopram's absorption or processing in the body. If a patient experiences any unusual symptoms after consuming corn while on escitalopram, they should consult their healthcare provider, but this would likely be due to an individual food sensitivity rather than a medication interaction, as supported by studies such as 2. Patients should always inform their healthcare providers about any concerns regarding their diet and medication regimen. Key points to consider include:
- The lack of significant interactions between escitalopram and corn
- The importance of maintaining the prescribed dosage of escitalopram
- The potential for individual food sensitivities, which should be discussed with a healthcare provider
- The overall safety and efficacy of escitalopram in treating major depressive disorder, as demonstrated in studies such as 3, 4, 5, and 6. However, the most recent and highest quality study, 2, provides the strongest evidence for the safety and efficacy of escitalopram, and its findings should be prioritized in clinical decision-making.