The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7203 p861-867
22 June 2002

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S-Enantiomer of citalopram launched

Escitalopram (Cipralex), the S-enantiomer of citalopram, has been launched this week for the treatment of major depressive episodes. The drug, manufactured by Lundbeck, is also licensed for the treatment of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia (p869).

Escitalopram has been shown to be effective and well tolerated at a dose of 10mg daily in patients with major depressive disorder (PJ, 4 May, p603).

The summary of product characteristics for escitalopram says that for treating major depressive episodes, two to four weeks of treatment is usually necessary to obtain an antidepressive response. After the symptoms resolve, treatment for at least six months is required. For panic disorder, maximum effectiveness is usually reached after about three months.