The Psychopharmacology Institute has recently published a comprehensive article on citalopram and escitalopram.
This article is a must-read for clinicians who want to deepen their understanding of these two commonly prescribed antidepressants.
Some pearls extracted from the article:
- Both citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) have low potential for drug-drug interactions due to their minimal inhibition of CYP450 isoenzymes.
- Citalopram has been linked with QT prolongation. While it was initially approved for use in doses ranging from 20 to 60 mg/day, in 2011 the FDA recommended against its use in doses higher than 40 mg/day.
- A helpful prescribing tip highlighted in the article is that the equivalent dose of escitalopram is half that of citalopram.
Here’s what you can expect to learn:
- Pharmacology
- Dosage forms and available strengths
- FDA-approved indications and dosing
- Off-label uses
- Switching
- Pharmacokinetics
- Side Effects
- Special populations
Citalopram and Escitalopram: A Summary of Key Differences and Similarities