Do the metabolites of escitalopram play a therapeutic role?

Escitalopram is metabolised to produce several metabolites. The potency for serotonin reuptake inhibition of the main (demethyl) metabolite is ten-fold lower than that of escitalopram, and its serum concentration is three-fold lower. This metabolite is not considered to contribute to the therapeutic effect. The other metabolites have no activity (ref.1).

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References:

1. Hyttel et al, 1992