From the Research
Escitalopram may potentially cause gastritis in the antrum of the stomach, although the evidence is not directly related to this specific medication and location. As a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), escitalopram may increase gastric acid secretion and reduce protective mucus production in the gastrointestinal tract, which can lead to inflammation in the stomach, including the antrum 1. The most recent and highest quality study on gastritis, although not specifically on escitalopram, suggests that high definition endoscopy with chromoendoscopy is better than high definition white-light endoscopy alone for diagnosing and risk stratification of patients with chronic atrophic gastritis or intestinal metaplasia, which are precancerous conditions in the stomach, including the antrum 1. Patients taking escitalopram sometimes report gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, abdominal pain, and indigestion, which could be related to gastritis. If you're experiencing symptoms suggestive of gastritis in the antrum while taking escitalopram, such as upper abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, or vomiting, you should consult your healthcare provider. They may recommend taking the medication with food, using acid-reducing medications, or in some cases, switching to a different antidepressant with fewer gastrointestinal effects. Never stop taking escitalopram suddenly without medical supervision, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms. Some studies suggest that the use of acid-suppression therapy, such as proton-pump inhibitors, may reduce the diagnostic yield of endoscopy in patients with dyspepsia, but this does not necessarily mean that escitalopram causes gastritis in the antrum 2. However, given the potential risks, it is essential to prioritize the patient's morbidity, mortality, and quality of life, and consider the possibility of gastritis in the antrum when prescribing escitalopram. Key points to consider:
- Escitalopram may increase gastric acid secretion and reduce protective mucus production in the gastrointestinal tract.
- High definition endoscopy with chromoendoscopy is better than high definition white-light endoscopy alone for diagnosing and risk stratification of patients with chronic atrophic gastritis or intestinal metaplasia.
- Patients taking escitalopram may report gastrointestinal symptoms, which could be related to gastritis.
- Consult a healthcare provider if symptoms suggestive of gastritis in the antrum occur while taking escitalopram.