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How and when to take escitalopram

Take escitalopram exactly as your doctor tells you, and follow the directions on the label. If you're not sure, check with your pharmacist or doctor.

Dosage and strength

Escitalopram tablets come in different strengths ranging from 5mg to 20mg.

The usual dose of escitalopram is 10mg a day. But your doctor may start you on a lower dose and increase it to a maximum dose of 20mg a day.

If you have liver problems, the maximum recommended dose is 10mg a day.

With liquid drops, 1 drop is equivalent to 1mg of escitalopram, 10 drops is 10mg, and 20 drops is 20mg.

How to take it

Take escitalopram once a day. You can take it with or without food.

You can take escitalopram at any time of day, as long as you stick to the same time every day.

If you have trouble sleeping, it's best to take it in the morning.

How long to take it for

Once you're feeling better it's likely that you'll keep taking escitalopram for several more months to prevent the symptoms returning.

The decision to stop your treatment or carry on will depend on what symptoms you have and how serious they are. It will also depend on whether it's a one-off problem or one that keeps coming back, how well escitalopram works for you, and whether you have had any bad side effects.

If you forget to take it

If you forget to take a dose and remember before you go to bed, take it straight away. Carry on as usual the next day.

If you only remember during the night or the next day, leave out the missed dose and carry on as usual.

Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten doses.

If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

Stopping escitalopram

If you have been feeling better for 6 months or more, your doctor may suggest coming off escitalopram.

Your doctor will probably recommend reducing your dose gradually over several weeks, or longer if you have been taking escitalopram for a long time.

This is to help prevent any withdrawal side effects you might get as a reaction to coming off the medicine. These can include:

  • dizziness
  • feeling sick
  • numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
  • trouble sleeping
  • feeling agitated or anxious
  • headaches
  • shaking

Important

Do not stop taking escitalopram suddenly or without talking to your doctor first.

If you take too much

The amount of escitalopram that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person.

Urgent advice: Contact 111 for advice now if:

  • you take more than your prescribed dose of escitalopram

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111

If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.

Take the escitalopram packet or the leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine, with you.

Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:

  • you or someone around you has a seizure or fit

Find your nearest A&E

Page last reviewed: 24 February 2022
Next review due: 24 February 2025