Image:Lexapro logo.pngescitalopram (free base) structure
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Lexapro

Escitalopram is a medication developed by the Danish pharmaceutical company Lundbeck, that acts as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or SSRI. It is typically used as an antidepressant to treat depression associated with mood disorders although also may be used in the treatment of body dysmorphic disorder and anxiety. In the United States, the drug is marketed under the name Lexapro® by Forest Laboratories, Inc. In Canada and Europe, the drug is marketed under the name Cipralex® by Lundbeck Canada, Inc. more...

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Escitalopram oxalate is derived from the drug citalopram which is made up of two mirror-image isomers, only one of which is thought to be an effective medication. Lundbeck has split the isomers apart, taken the active isomer and has licensed it as the new drug escitalopram. Escitalopram is the pure S-enantiomer (single isomer) of the racemic bicyclic phthalane derivative citalopram.

Escitalopram was released shortly before the patent for citalopram was due to expire. The expiration of a patent means other companies can legally produce cheaper generic versions. Escitalopram is subject to a new patent. Critics have argued that escitalopram, and the subsequent marketing campaign to persuade mental health professionals to prescribe it, is a cynical ploy to promote sales of a virtually identical but considerably more expensive drug. In defence of the new drug, Lundbeck has claimed that the drug has additional benefits over the older citalopram and other antidepressant drugs on the market, mainly better tolerability .

Withdrawal symptoms

A possible withdrawal symptom from Escitalopram is a type of spontaneous nerve pulse, described by some patients as a feeling of small electric shocks, which may be accompanied by dizziness. These pulses may be short in duration, only milliseconds long, affect any region of the body, and recur up to several times a minute, throughout all waking hours. They can be increased by physical activity, but are not solely linked to muscular activity.

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Forest Laboratories., a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, for treating generalized anxiety disorder - Reporter's Notebook - FDA approved Forest Laboratories'
From Drug Store News, 1/19/04

The FDA last month approved Forest Laboratories' Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, for treating generalized anxiety disorder.

GAD, one of the most common mental illnesses in the United States, affects some 4 million Americans annually, Forest reported.

In a separate release, Forest announced the results of a clinical study showing that Lexapro is as effective and well tolerated as the most-prescribed SSRI, Pfizer's Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride).

Zoloft, which is not approved for GAD, had $2.8 billion in sales for the 12 months ended September 2003, according to IMS Health. Comparatively, Lexapro's sales were placed at $244.7 million for fiscal, year 2003 ended March 31, Forest reported. Forest s SSRI has been on the market since August 2002.

Although Pfizer is not planning to seek a GAD indication for Zoloft, a Pfizer study introduced to the Anxiety Association Disorders of America last year established its efficacy in GAD patients. And Pfizer filed a new drug application for Pregabalin, a Neurontin-like drug, in October that is seeking a GAD-treatment indication.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group

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