The Chemistry of Escitalopram

Main Chemicals, Compounds, Components

• Escitalprom oxalate

o The first thought of an antidepressant drug was made by H. Lundbeck A/S and

Forest Laboratories, Inc. in 1997. It became a FDA approved drug in 2003. It was developed by them isolating a part of the molecule citalopram HBr, which is known as an isomer. The escitalopram oxalate occurs as a white powder that is put into round tablets. The strength of the pills are generally equivalent to 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg. It is used for a variety of mental health problems but most commonly used to treat; major depression disorders and/or generalized anxiety disorders. It does this by increasing certain levels of chemicals in the brain like serotonin. The antidepressant action of it is linked to the serotonergic energy in the Central Nervous System (CNS) which results its inhibitory effect on the reuptake.

• Hypromellose

oFor the particular pill, it is used as the controlling agent for releasing the medicinal compound into the digestive tract. It delays the reaction so that the pill doesn’t disappear after a hour and slowly releases it through out the following 24 hours. It can also help bind together the tablet coating to the powder inside. When it is heated up to a critical temperature, it turns into a nonflowable product that helps it stay longer in the stomach

Chemistry's Role

Depression is known to be liked to low levels of natually-occuring chemical messengers called neuro-transmitters. There are two different kind of neuro-transmitters which are called serotonin and noradrenaline. Serotonin is thought to be a contributor to feeliings of well-being and happines. Escitalopram is known as an anitidepressant or anti-anxiety medicine and belongs in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain. It does this by getting into the neuro-transmitters in the brain, making it think that it is happy. This then causes the brain to release more levels of serotonin.

Background Research

Escitalopram is made man made and is put together in labs. It is done presicely by computers so that each pill is exactly right. This pill has been getting researched for almost two decades. It’s chemical equation is C20H21FN2O, and is held together by a synthesis reaction. Its main job is to enhance the amount of serotionin in the brain, which causes the sensation of happiness.

Resources

http://www.frx.com/products/lexapro.aspx http://www.frx.com/pi/Lexapro_pi.pdf

Drug Interactions and a list of the drugs in the pills

Ever information about effects of this pill

http://www.rxlist.com/lexapro-drug.htm

Drug description and the use of it.

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2002/21-365_Lexapro_Chemr.pdf

Chemistry and the bonds of lexapro

http://www.medicinenet.com/escitalopram/article.htm

Drug interactions, side effects, and dosing

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a603005.html

General information about the drug

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escitalopram

Everything about it except for chemical reactions

http://www.glutenfreedrugs.com/Excipients.htm

how hypromellase is made

http://whatyoushouldknow.depression-alliance.co.uk/antidepressants/escitalopram/

How it works in the body

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