Esopam Dosage/Direction for Use

Adult: Major depressive episodes: Initial: 10 mg/day orally. The dose may increase to 20 mg/day depending on individual patient response.
Usually 2-4 weeks are necessary to obtain antidepressant response. After the symptoms resolve, treatment for at least 6 months is required for consolidation of the response.
Panic disorder with or without agoraphobia: Initial: 5 mg/day for the first week, then increase dose to 10 mg/day, may further increase to 20 mg/day based on response and tolerability.
Maximum effectiveness is reached after about 3 months. The treatment lasts several months.
Social anxiety disorder (social phobia): Initial: 10 mg/day orally. The dose may increase to 20 mg/day depending on individual patient response.
Usually 2-4 weeks are necessary to obtain symptom relief. Treatment for 3 months is recommended to consolidate response. Long-term treatment of responders for 6 months has been shown to prevent relapse and can be considered on an individual basis. Treatment benefits should be re-evaluated at regular intervals.
Generalized anxiety disorder: Initial: 10 mg/day orally. The dose may increase to 20 mg/day depending on individual patient response.
Treatment for 3 months is recommended to consolidate response. Long-term treatment of responders for 6 months has been shown to prevent relapse and can be considered on an individual basis. Treatment benefits should be re-evaluated at regular intervals.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): Initial: 10 mg/day orally. The dose may increase to 20 mg/day depending on individual patient response.
Long-term treatment of patients responding to a 16-week open treatment phase has been studied for at least 24 weeks in patients receiving 10 or 20 mg/day. As OCD is a chronic disease, patients should be treated for a sufficient period to ensure that they are symptom free. This period may be several months or even longer.
Children and adolescents (<18 years): Escitalopram should not be used in the treatment of children and adolescents under the age of 18 years.
Elderly patients (≥65 years of age): Initial treatment with half the usually recommended dose and a lower maximum dose should be considered.
Renal impairment: Mild to moderate renal impairment: No adjustment necessary.
Severe renal impairment (CrCl <30 mL/minute): Use with caution.
Hepatic impairment: An initial dose of 5 mg/day for the first two weeks of the treatment is recommended. The dose may increase to 10 mg/day depending on individual patient response.
Poor metabolisers of CYP2C19: For patients who are known to be poor metabolisers with respect to CYP2C19, an initial dose of 5 mg daily during the first two weeks of treatment is recommended. Depending on individual patient response, the dose may be increased to 10 mg daily.
Discontinuation of therapy: Avoid abrupt discontinuation. Taper dose gradually over a period of at least one to two weeks in order to avoid possible discontinuations symptoms.
Administration: Administer once daily with or without food.