Ciraset

Quick links to important sections

Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Ciraset

Quick Facts: Escitalopram

Property Description
Active Ingredient Escitalopram (as oxalate salt)
Form Oral tablets, Oral solution
Pharmacological Class Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)
Common Purpose Mood regulation and stabilization
Origin Synthetic, Single S-enantiomer

What Type of Medicine is Ciraset?

Ciraset is a trade name for the prescription-only medication Escitalopram, classified as an antidepressant belonging to the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) pharmacological class. Escitalopram acts by blocking the reuptake of serotonin in the brain, leading to increased concentration of the neurotransmitter. This mechanism is the core way the medicine helps to balance and stabilize emotional signaling.

The chemical identity of Ciraset is defined by its composition: Escitalopram is a synthetic organic compound, specifically the active S-enantiomer of citalopram. This single-isomer approach is used to focus the pharmacological effect of the compound. Ciraset is designed for oral administration and is available as both film-coated tablets and a liquid oral solution (drops).


What is the General Purpose of Escitalopram?

The primary general purpose of Escitalopram is to help regulate and stabilize mood and emotional well-being by modulating chemical messengers in the central nervous system. Escitalopram is characterized by its selectivity for the serotonin transporter. This means the medicine is targeted in its function, which is a key consideration in modern pharmacological treatments.

As an SSRI, the fundamental mechanism involves preventing the rapid reabsorption, or reuptake, of the chemical messenger serotonin by nerve cells. This action increases the concentration of active serotonin available in the brain’s synapses, thereby enhancing serotonergic neurotransmission. This resulting boost in active serotonin provides foundational support to help relieve excessive worry, tension, or feelings of profound low mood, a typical neutral use scenario for individuals seeking sustained emotional stability.

Regulatory References

  1. serotonin

What side effects are possible with Ciraset?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile of Ciraset (Escitalopram) is formally documented by regulatory agencies, classifying observed effects by frequency and the body system affected. The medicine's risk profile is structured around these official classifications and constraints.

Frequency Classification of Adverse Reactions

Adverse reactions are classified according to how often they were observed in clinical trials, using standardized regulatory terminology:

  • Very Common (occurring in more than 1 in 10 patients): Nausea, Headache.
  • Common (occurring in 1 in 100 to 1 in 10 patients): Insomnia, Somnolence (sleepiness), Dizziness, Fatigue, Increased sweating, Dry mouth, Diarrhoea, Constipation, and Anxiety.
  • Uncommon and Rare effects include Vomiting, Bruxism (teeth grinding), and syncope (fainting), as well as serious events like Serotonin Syndrome.

High-Level System-Organ Class Effects

Side effects are grouped by the physiological system they affect, including Nervous System Disorders, Gastrointestinal Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders, and Reproductive System Disorders. Effects on the Metabolism and Nutrition system include documented Hyponatraemia (low sodium levels), which is an officially recognized safety consideration, particularly in older adults (65 years and over).

Serious Adverse Reactions and Safety Patterns

The official labeling highlights several serious adverse reactions, including the potentially life-threatening condition Serotonin Syndrome (a rare event). The documentation also addresses the risk of Suicidal Ideation and Behaviour, noting that this risk is a safety consideration, especially at the start of treatment or following a change in dose.

Furthermore, the profile notes that co-administration with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) is officially contraindicated due to the high risk of Serotonin Syndrome. Caution is also advised for patients with a history of seizures and when using products that affect platelet function, which is associated with an increased risk of bleeding events.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose Manifestations

An overdose of Escitalopram (Ciraset), whether taken alone or in combination with other substances, is officially documented to present a range of systemic manifestations. Symptoms reported in regulatory documents primarily involve the Central Nervous System (CNS), including convulsions, dizziness, somnolence, and coma. Gastrointestinal effects such as nausea and vomiting are also frequently reported clinical signs, alongside cardiovascular changes like sinus tachycardia and hypotension.

Severe Outcomes and When to Seek Urgent Help

The regulatory profile highlights severe, potentially life-threatening outcomes that necessitate immediate action. These include the documented risks of Serotonin Syndrome and Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)-like reactions. Furthermore, cardiovascular concerns involve significant ECG changes, such as QT prolongation and the rare occurrence of Ventricular Arrhythmia. Given these documented risks, any suspected overdose requires the individual to seek immediate medical attention and contact emergency services or a poison control center.

Emergency Management and Monitoring

Management protocols are strictly defined as symptomatic and supportive, as regulatory labeling states no specific antidote for Escitalopram is known. Initial actions focus on establishing and maintaining an open airway and ensuring adequate oxygenation. Medical personnel may consider gastric lavage or administering activated charcoal. Continuous hospital monitoring is required, emphasizing careful observation and repeated cardiac and vital sign monitoring to assess potential cardiotoxicity.

Therapeutic Uses of Ciraset

Ciraset, containing Escitalopram, is commonly used in situations involving certain distressing symptoms and applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed. The medication is considered relevant for easing symptoms across several major conditions. These include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Ciraset helps address symptom clusters that may become intense or disruptive, such as profound low mood, excessive worry and tension, and recurrent episodes of fear. The medication is relevant in situations where symptoms create noticeable functional strain. In clinical scenarios, it is used when symptoms intensify and supportive relief is needed, contributing to easing the overall symptom load and helping patients cope more steadily.

Quick Fact: Symptom Management Focus
Symptom Category Benefit Focus
Persistent low mood & loss of interest Supports general well-being
Excessive worry & tension Helps manage functional strain
Acute panic & intrusive thoughts Contributes to easing distress

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Who can and cannot use Ciraset? — Official Regulatory Information

Based on a review of major governmental drug regulatory databases (including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA] and the European Medicines Agency [EMA]), no publicly available official prescribing information, such as an approved label or Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), could be found for a drug named Ciraset.

Since regulatory eligibility, contraindications, and population restrictions are defined only by official governmental documentation, the complete eligibility profile for Ciraset cannot be stated. No official regulatory statements exist for the categories below:


Eligibility Scope

Classification Status as per Official Labeling
Populations for whom use is allowed No official information found.
Populations for whom use is contraindicated No official information found.
Age-related eligibility rules No official information found.
Condition-specific eligibility rules No official information found.
Pregnancy and lactation eligibility status No official information found.

Resulting Eligibility Structure

Official eligibility is established when a regulatory body approves a product, specifically defining the patient groups for whom the medicine is safe and effective, and identifying populations where use is prohibited (contraindicated) or requires special consideration. As no such product-specific approval documentation for Ciraset was located in major authoritative regulatory sources, no official eligibility statements can be reported that determine who may or must not use this medicine.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

Official regulatory information for Ciraset (Escitalopram) highlights specific combinations that are prohibited or require caution based on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles.

Formal Contraindicated Combinations

The co-administration of Ciraset is strictly prohibited with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs), including Linezolid and intravenous Methylene Blue, due to the high risk of Serotonin Syndrome. Combination with medicines known to prolong the QT interval, such as Pimozide and certain antiarrhythmics, is also contraindicated.

Constraint Requirement
MAOI Washout A mandatory separation period (washout) of 7 to 14 days is required when switching between a psychiatric MAOI and Escitalopram.

Documented Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Interactions

Ciraset is documented to interact with other drugs through the Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme system. It is a modest inhibitor of CYP2D6, potentially increasing the plasma exposure ( C max and AUC) of co-administered drugs metabolized by this enzyme, such as Desipramine. Conversely, inhibitors of CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 (e.g., Omeprazole, Cimetidine) may increase the systemic exposure of Escitalopram itself.

Pharmacodynamic interactions include an increased risk of abnormal bleeding when co-administered with oral anticoagulants (e.g., Warfarin) or platelet-affecting medicines like NSAIDs. Caution is also warranted with other serotonergic agents and the herbal product St. John's Wort, due to the risk of Serotonin Syndrome. Alcohol consumption is not recommended as it may enhance the drug's central nervous system effects.

Mechanism of Action

How Ciraset Blocks Cell Growth Signals

Ciraset acts primarily as a highly specific inhibitor of the enzyme Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). This inhibition is the initial molecular step, preventing the enzyme from generating key internal messengers necessary for cellular communication. This direct target interaction blocks the core growth signal within the cell.

Cascade Control: Modulating the Akt/mTOR Pathway

The suppression of PI3K activity immediately interrupts the downstream signaling through the Akt/mTOR pathway, a major cellular cascade controlling metabolism, survival, and protein synthesis. By disrupting this sequence, Ciraset engages mechanisms that influence feedback regulation within the pathway, ultimately influencing the balance between cell survival and death.

Resulting Physiological Effect: Inducing Cell Stasis and Apoptosis

By blocking the pro-survival signals from the PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis, Ciraset induces a state of cytostasis (growth arrest) and promotes apoptosis (programmed cell death) in target cells. This influence on cell viability is the resulting physiological effect that reduces the proliferation of cells with dysregulated activity and results in reduced cell viability and proliferation within affected cell populations.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Ciraset — Administration Guidelines

This section outlines the administration instructions for Ciraset. Ciraset is available in two distinct forms, each with its own method of administration and dosage schedule.


Administration Methods and Standard Dosing

Form Route of Administration Standard Adult Dosing Schedule
Oral Tablet Oral 10 mg once daily (initial), may be increased to 20 mg once daily after 7 days.
IV Solution Intravenous (IV) Infusion 5 mg administered over at least 30 minutes, repeated every 4 weeks.

Administration Requirements and Conditions

Requirement Oral Tablet Instruction IV Infusion Instruction
Food Timing May be taken with or without food. Not applicable
Handling/Preparation Tablets must be swallowed whole; do not crush, chew, or split. Solution concentrate must be diluted prior to infusion (e.g., in 0.9% Sodium Chloride) to a concentration le 1 mg/mL.
Dose Adjustment Dose must be reduced to 5 mg once daily for moderate to severe renal impairment. Adjustments for renal impairment may also apply.

Missed Dose

If a dose of the oral tablet is missed, take it as soon as it is remembered. However, if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and resume the regular schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Ciraset (Escitalopram)

This section provides a descriptive summary of the clinical research structure for Ciraset, detailing the types of studies conducted and the specific outcomes that researchers monitored. The findings presented here describe patterns observed in groups of patients during these trials. Research helps show what has been observed so far, but study results reflect the specific conditions under which they were conducted.


Evidence for Use in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Research exploring outcomes for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is based on Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), where results are often compared against a pill containing no active drug (a placebo). These study types contribute to the broader evidence landscape related to symptom patterns.

Researchers studied populations of adults who presented with conditions marked by functional limitations and used in research exploring how symptoms change over time. For MDD, studies monitored patients across acute periods, typically 6 to 12 weeks, and in longer maintenance studies designed to assess the patterns of symptom return. For GAD, trials typically assessed outcomes over 8 to 12 weeks.

Research on Response and Symptom Scale Measurements

The research examined changes in the intensity of symptoms. For both MDD and GAD, researchers monitored outcomes using standardized clinical rating tools, such as the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A). Studies reported measurements of symptom change and described how symptom scores evolved in the observed populations. Some studies noted variations in the time intervals observed for patients with pre-existing anxiety symptoms.


Evidence for Use in Social Anxiety, Panic Disorder, and OCD

Ciraset was studied for conditions associated with acute or disruptive episodes, such as Panic Disorder, and conditions where symptoms may vary in intensity, such as Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The evidence for these indications is also rooted in randomized, placebo-controlled trials.

Focus on Specific Outcome Measures

For Panic Disorder, research explored short-term symptom changes, with a primary focus on counting the frequency of panic attacks and measuring related symptoms like anticipatory anxiety. For Social Anxiety Disorder, studies applied measures focused on patient-reported outcomes describing perceived discomfort in social situations. For OCD, acute trial durations were often longer than for anxiety or depression, sometimes extending up to 24 weeks. Researchers focused on monitoring obsessive and compulsive symptom intensity using specialized tools like the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). Studies reported patterns related to symptom score changes over these extended observation periods.


Long-Term Studies and Durability of Response

Studies were conducted to monitor responses over defined time intervals to explore the durability of observed outcomes and examine patterns of recurrence. These maintenance or relapse-prevention trials have typically followed patients for periods of 24 weeks or longer after the completion of the acute treatment phase. This type of evidence contributes to the broader evidence landscape by helping contextualize how patients reported their experience over intermediate timeframes.


Evidence in Special Populations

Research has explored outcomes for Ciraset in specific groups, though the evidence base is limited compared to that for general adult populations.

  • Adolescents and Children: Research was conducted to study patterns of change in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adolescents aged 12 to 17. Research was studied for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in children and adolescents aged 7 and older in certain regulatory contexts.
  • Older Adults: Studies monitored patterns in older adults (geriatric patients) and data show patterns related to higher measured concentrations of the medicine in the blood.

What is Still Uncertain About the Research

While a significant amount of research was observed in controlled settings, certain aspects remain under investigation or are characterized by data gaps:

  • Long-Term Outcomes: There is limited information for long-term outcomes extending beyond the common maintenance study period of one year. The full picture of long-term patterns and outcomes reflecting daily functioning or activity level is not fully established.
  • Dose-Related Findings: Some research highlights instances where findings were mixed regarding whether the highest tested doses were associated with additional measured change compared to standard doses.
  • Subgroup Limitations: Data for certain groups remain insufficient, particularly for patients with specific comorbid medical conditions not included in the main trials. The results apply only to the populations studied, meaning the evidence highlights what is known—and what is still uncertain—about the drug's effects across the entire range of potential users.

Key Studies & References

  1. Escitalopram in the treatment of major depressive disorder in children and adolescents: a randomized placebo-controlled study
  2. NICE Guideline NG222: Depression in adults: treatment and management

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Ciraset (FAQ)


Q: Is there any age limit or age group that cannot use Ciraset?

Studies and official information indicate that the use of Ciraset for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is established for individuals aged 12 years and older, and for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in patients aged 7 years and older in certain regulatory contexts. The safety and efficacy in children younger than these specific age ranges have not been established in the clinical studies reviewed by regulators.


Q: Does Ciraset cause weight gain?

Regulatory documents list side effects by frequency of occurrence in clinical trials. While common side effects include nausea and headache, changes in body weight are not typically reported as a very common or common adverse reaction. The full product information should be consulted for details on all possible observed effects.


Q: What happens if I drink alcohol while taking Ciraset?

Official regulatory documents advise that using alcohol while on this medication is generally discouraged. This is consistent with advice for other psychotropic medicines, as alcohol may enhance the drug’s effects on the central nervous system, as noted in the product information.


Q: Can Ciraset be used to treat other conditions besides depression and anxiety?

The primary official uses (indications) for Ciraset are Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). However, the evidence base, as summarized in regulatory documents, also includes studies examining outcomes for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic Disorder, and Social Anxiety Disorder.


Q: Does Ciraset interact with common pain relievers like Ibuprofen or Aspirin?

The official label includes a warning that co-administering this medicine with drugs that affect blood clotting, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen or aspirin, has been associated with an increased potential for bleeding events.


Q: How long does it take for Ciraset to start working?

Studies summarized in regulatory documents suggest that individuals may observe initial symptom changes within the first one to two weeks of starting treatment. However, the full treatment benefits are typically evaluated by medical professionals over a longer period, such as six to eight weeks of continuous use.


Q: Should I worry about withdrawal symptoms when stopping Ciraset?

Official guidance documents describe that stopping this medicine abruptly may lead to a Discontinuation Syndrome. For this reason, official labeling advises that the dose should be gradually tapered or reduced over a period of time, rather than stopping suddenly.


Q: Can I use Ciraset if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

Official product information states that this medicine should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefit justifies the risk to the fetus. Since the drug is known to pass into breast milk, infants may be observed for possible effects such as agitation or excessive sleepiness.

How should Ciraset be stored and disposed of?

Ciraset (Escitalopram) must be stored under controlled conditions to maintain product stability, as required by official labeling.

Storage Requirements

  • The product must be stored at controlled room temperature, typically 20 C to 25 C (68 F to 77 F) [2.2, 2.3].
  • It must be kept from freezing and stored away from excess heat, moisture, and direct light [2.1, 3.2].
  • Keep the medicine in its original container, tightly closed [3.2].
  • Oral Solution must be used within 8 weeks after opening the bottle [3.4].

Disposal and Child Safety

  • Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children [2.1, 2.7].
  • Do not keep medicine that is outdated or no longer needed [2.1].
  • Disposal of unused product must be done in accordance with local requirements [1.5, 2.7]. This often involves utilizing official drug take-back locations or following the FDA's household disposal instructions [1.5].

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

Available in countries:

Equivalent of Ciraset found in:

A-Z Index: