Escitalopram is an example of which antidepressant class?

Escitalopram is an example of which antidepressant class?

• A. SSRI
• B. SNRI
• C. TCA
• D. MAOI

Answer: (A)

Escitalopram is an SSRI because its primary action is to selectively inhibit the serotonin transporter, blocking reuptake of serotonin into the presynaptic neuron. This increases serotonin levels in the synaptic cleft and enhances serotonergic signaling, which underlies its antidepressant and anxiolytic effects. It does not significantly affect norepinephrine or dopamine reuptake, which would point to an SNRI or another class. It’s not a TCA, which block multiple monoamine reuptake and carry more anticholinergic and cardiac side effects, nor a MAOI, which inhibits the breakdown of monoamines. Escitalopram is the S-enantiomer of citalopram and is generally chosen for its favorable tolerability profile while delivering the same serotonin-focused mechanism.

Escitalopram is an SSRI because its primary action is to selectively inhibit the serotonin transporter, blocking reuptake of serotonin into the presynaptic neuron. This increases serotonin levels in the synaptic cleft and enhances serotonergic signaling, which underlies its antidepressant and anxiolytic effects. It does not significantly affect norepinephrine or dopamine reuptake, which would point to an SNRI or another class. It’s not a TCA, which block multiple monoamine reuptake and carry more anticholinergic and cardiac side effects, nor a MAOI, which inhibits the breakdown of monoamines. Escitalopram is the S-enantiomer of citalopram and is generally chosen for its favorable tolerability profile while delivering the same serotonin-focused mechanism.