Q & A

Pharmacology

Answers to key questions from experts here at Lundbeck

Here are answers to some of the most common questions concerning Cipralex. For more specific questions, we invite you to ask an expert here at Lundbeck. Our Medical Advisers are always happy to help.

Do the metabolites of escitalopram play a therapeutic role?

Escitalopram is metabolised to produce several metabolites. The potency for serotonin reuptake inhibition of...

Does escitalopram change (interconvert) to R-citalopram after intake?

Different studies have shown that no interconversion takes place. If, after (oral) intake, escitalopram converted...

Does escitalopram inhibit the CYP450 enzymes?

Escitalopram and its demethyl metabolite are both weak or negligible inhibitors of human hepatic enzyme systems...

How important is plasma protein binding?

Plasma protein binding is moderate – below 80% (Guttierez & Mengel, 2002). Drug interactions between...

How is escitalopram eliminated?

Renal elimination represents the major route of elimination for escitalopram and...

How is escitalopram metabolised?

Escitalopram is metabolised by the cytochrome P450 enzymes, CYP3A4, 2C19 and 2D6, to its main...

How quickly is steady state reached?

Steady state, i.e., constant, plasma concentration, is theoretically reached...

How selective is escitalopram?

Escitalopram has been investigated in more than 140 different receptor and...

Is escitalopram more potent than citalopram?

In vitro, escitalopram is more potent than citalopram, due to the absence of the...

Is escitalopram more selective than citalopram?

Escitalopram is the most selective of all SSRIs in clinical use, as expressed by the ratio between...

Is the absorption of escitalopram affected by food intake?

No, absorption is unaffected by food. In practice: escitalopram can be...

What is the bioavailability of escitalopram?

Absorption is almost complete, with limited first-pass metabolic loss, which is reflected in a...

What is the half-life (T1/2) of escitalopram?

The half-life is about 30 hours. In the elderly, the half-life is...

Published: 06/10/2006 Last updated: 27/07/2010