Escitalopram
70,616 adverse event reports submitted to the FDA (2003–2026)
Top Reported Adverse Events
The most frequently reported events in association with Escitalopram in the FAERS database. These are events reported by patients taking this medication, not necessarily caused by it. A single report may include multiple events.
Show these terms with plain-language definitions
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Drug Ineffective 4,666 reports
A report that the medication did not work as expected for the person taking it. This is a reporting category, not a sign the drug is defective. It simply means someone felt it was not helping their condition.
Full definition in the glossary →Fatigue 4,476 reports
Extreme tiredness or lack of energy that does not improve with rest.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Nausea 4,245 reports
The feeling of sickness in your stomach that often comes before vomiting.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Off Label Use 3,741 reports
Using a medication for a condition or in a way that the FDA has not officially approved. This is common and often legal, and a report of it does not mean something went wrong. Doctors sometimes prescribe drugs off label based on their judgment.
Full definition in the glossary →Headache 3,624 reports
Pain in the head or upper neck.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Diarrhoea 3,593 reports
Loose or watery bowel movements, often frequent. Also spelled diarrhea in American English.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Drug Interaction 3,035 reports
A report that two or more medications may have affected each other when taken together.
Full definition in the glossary →Dizziness 3,016 reports
A feeling of being lightheaded, unsteady, or like the room is spinning.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Fall 2,975 reports
A report that the person fell down. Falls are tracked because they can signal issues like dizziness, weakness, or balance problems.
Full definition in the glossary →Anxiety 2,900 reports
A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Dyspnoea 2,824 reports
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Also spelled dyspnea in American English.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Vomiting 2,647 reports
Throwing up the contents of the stomach.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Condition Aggravated 2,614 reports
A report that the person's existing health condition got worse. This describes a worsening of something the person already had, not necessarily a new problem caused by the drug.
Full definition in the glossary →Depression 2,546 reports
A persistent low mood, loss of interest, or feelings of sadness. If you are struggling, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988 in the US) is available 24 hours a day.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Pain 2,426 reports
A general report of physical discomfort, used when no more specific location is given.
Full definition in the glossary →
Ranked by frequency of reports, not severity. The most-reported event is not necessarily the most dangerous or the most common in patients taking this drug.
Who Is Reporting
Demographics of patients in FAERS reports that included this information. Not all reports include patient demographics.
By Sex
View reporter sex data as a table
| Sex | Reports |
|---|---|
| Female | 41,432 |
| Male | 21,651 |
| Unknown | 154 |
By Age Group
View age group data as a table
| Age group | Reports |
|---|---|
| 0-17 | 2,193 |
| 18-34 | 7,206 |
| 35-49 | 9,644 |
| 50-64 | 12,945 |
| 65-74 | 8,650 |
| 75+ | 8,711 |
This shows who filed reports, reflecting who takes this drug and who tends to report, not who is at greatest risk.
Reported Outcomes
Outcomes recorded in FAERS reports that included Escitalopram. A single report may involve multiple reactions, each with a different outcome. These categories are defined by FDA reporting guidelines, not by PillSignal.
View outcome data as a table
| Outcome | Reports |
|---|---|
| Other Serious | 34,695 |
| Hospitalization | 26,369 |
| Non-Serious | 15,524 |
| Death | 7,226 |
| Life-Threatening | 4,562 |
| Disability | 2,561 |
Serious outcomes are far more likely to be reported than mild ones, so this overstates how often outcomes are serious. A recorded death does not mean the drug caused it.
Report Volume Over Time
Number of FAERS reports received per quarter for Escitalopram. Changes in volume may reflect shifts in prescribing rates, media attention, or reporting behavior, not changes in the medication's safety profile.
View report trend as a table
| Year | Reports |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 127 |
| 2005 | 276 |
| 2006 | 371 |
| 2007 | 448 |
| 2008 | 847 |
| 2009 | 727 |
| 2010 | 1,034 |
| 2011 | 1,245 |
| 2012 | 1,567 |
| 2013 | 1,343 |
| 2014 | 1,677 |
| 2015 | 2,528 |
| 2016 | 3,305 |
| 2017 | 3,931 |
| 2018 | 5,480 |
| 2019 | 6,167 |
| 2020 | 6,247 |
| 2021 | 5,733 |
| 2022 | 6,256 |
| 2023 | 6,414 |
| 2024 | 6,787 |
| 2025 | 6,612 |
| 2026 (partial) | 1,493 |
The steep increase around 2004 reflects the FDA's move to electronic submission, not a change in this drug's safety. Trends track reporting volume, not risk.
Medications commonly reported with Escitalopram
In FDA adverse event reports that mention Escitalopram, these medications appeared most often in the same report.
- Gabapentin (6,951 reports)
- Ergocalciferol (6,944 reports)
- Acetaminophen (6,899 reports)
- Omeprazole (6,704 reports)
- Pantoprazole (6,600 reports)
This reflects co-occurrence in submitted reports, not evidence of drug interaction or combined risk. People often report several medications taken for the same condition or for unrelated reasons. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your specific medications.
Related Drugs
Other medications with similar adverse event profiles in FDA FAERS reports.
Data Source
This data is sourced from the FDA's Adverse Event Monitoring System (AEMS), formerly FAERS, via the OpenFDA API. PillSignal is not affiliated with the FDA.
View this data on the FDA website →Data last updated: June 2026