Escitalopram oral tablet dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes escitalopram oral tablet’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for escitalopram.

If you want to know more about escitalopram oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, its side effects, and more.

Escitalopram oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Lexapro. Escitalopram also comes as an oral solution, but that form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about that form, talk with your doctor.

Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Escitalopram has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

See the end of this article for more information about this warning.

Form and strengths of escitalopram

Escitalopram oral tablet comes as follows:

• Form: tablet that you swallow
• Strengths: 5 milligrams (mg), 10 mg, 20 mg

Dosage of escitalopram

This article describes the recommended dosages for escitalopram oral tablet. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of escitalopram oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of escitalopram in adults

Escitalopram is approved to treat depression and anxiety in adults. Doctors sometimes refer to these conditions as major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of escitalopram oral tablet. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of escitalopram oral tablet that gives the desired outcome.

Dosage for depression and anxiety

The recommended dosages for adults are in the table below in milligrams (mg).

Dosages of escitalopram in children

Escitalopram is approved to treat depression in children ages 12 years and older. The drug is also approved to treat anxiety in children ages 7 years and older. Doctors sometimes refer to these conditions as major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

The recommended dosages for children are in the table below in milligrams (mg).

Dosage adjustments for escitalopram

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of escitalopram oral tablet based on several factors. These include:

• the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
• your age
• other health conditions you may have

If you have liver problems, your doctor will prescribe the lowest dosage of escitalopram oral tablet. Your dosage will be 10 mg once per day throughout treatment.

Older adults, ages 65 years and older, may need a dosage adjustment. Their recommended dosage is 10 mg once per day throughout treatment.

Missed dose of escitalopram

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of escitalopram oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of escitalopram oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about escitalopram oral tablet and its dosage.

What’s considered a low dose and high dose of escitalopram?

Escitalopram oral tablet doesn’t have a low dose and high dose. Your doctor will prescribe the right dosage for you based on several factors. These include your symptoms, other medications you take, and your other medical conditions.

Your doctor will likely start you on the lowest dosage of escitalopram. This is 10 milligrams (mg) once per day. Then they’ll watch to see whether it’s managing your symptoms. If not, they may increase your dosage to 20 mg once per day. This is the recommended maximum dosage of escitalopram.

If you have questions about your dosage of escitalopram, talk with your doctor.

Does escitalopram have a 30-mg daily dosage?

No, escitalopram doesn’t have a 30-milligram (mg) daily dosage. The recommended maximum dosage to treat depression or anxiety in adults is 20 mg once per day. In children, the recommended maximum dosage is also 20 mg once per day for either condition.

Do not take dosages of escitalopram that are higher than what your doctor prescribes. Take the exact dosage they prescribe. Taking higher dosages can increase the risk of side effects from the drug.

If you feel escitalopram isn’t working to treat your condition, talk with your doctor. They can discuss your symptoms and recommend a treatment plan.

Is escitalopram taken long term?

Yes, doctors typically prescribe escitalopram oral tablet as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

If you have questions about how long you should take escitalopram oral tablet, talk with your doctor.

How escitalopram is taken

You’ll swallow escitalopram oral tablet once per day, usually in the morning or evening. You can take your dose with or without food.

If you have questions about the best time of day to take escitalopram, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can suggest what works best for your situation. They’ll consider other medications you may be taking and whether you’re experiencing certain side effects of escitalopram.

If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form. The tablet has a score line for splitting it into two. Some people find that splitting the tablet makes it easier to swallow.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Escitalopram coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for escitalopram when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Overdose of escitalopram

It’s important that you do not take more escitalopram oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of escitalopram overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

• serotonin syndrome
• seizures
• serious heart rhythm problems, such as sinus tachycardia, long QT syndrome, and torsades de pointes

In extreme cases or if untreated, overdose can lead to coma.

What to do if you take too much escitalopram

If you think you’ve taken too much escitalopram, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for escitalopram oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of escitalopram oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take escitalopram oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• I’m taking other medications to treat depression. Will you prescribe a lower dosage of escitalopram oral tablet?
• If I need to stop taking escitalopram oral tablet, will you gradually lower my dose?
• How does the dosage of escitalopram oral tablet compare with the dosage of citalopram?

Boxed warning for escitalopram

Escitalopram has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Antidepressant medications, including escitalopram, can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. In studies, these risks were higher in children and adults ages 24 years and younger. Escitalopram is not approved for use in children younger than age 7 years.

The risk is highest in the first few months of treatment with escitalopram and whenever dosage changes. Your doctor will monitor you closely during any dosage adjustments for changes in mood or behavior.

If you experience changes in your mood, thoughts, or behavior during escitalopram treatment, call your doctor right away. Symptoms include:

• acting aggressively or violently
• feeling agitated, restless, angry, or irritable
• having new or worsened anxiety or panic attacks
• having new or worsened depression
• having thoughts of suicide or self-harm
• trying to harm yourself
• having trouble sleeping

Your doctor may ask a family member or caregiver to also monitor you for these changes or signs of worsening depression. If you have any of these changes or worsened depression, your doctor may stop escitalopram and change your treatment plan. This article explains more about how to notice suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

If you have thoughts of suicide, call 911 or your local emergency number. In the United States, you can also call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

For more ways to get support, refer to this article. To learn more about this boxed warning, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.