What Is Cipralex?
Cipralex tablet is the brand name for escitalopram, so the generic name for Cipralex is escitalopram (as escitalopram oxalate). It belongs to the SSRI family (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). In Pakistan, it is marketed by Lundbeck, the original developer, in 5mg, 10 mg, and 20mg tablets. This Cipralex medication works by keeping more serotonin available between nerve cells in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical messenger involved in mood, anxiety, sleep, and appetite.
Escitalopram is the “active half” of an older antidepressant, citalopram, which is why it is effective at lower doses and is among the better-tolerated SSRIs. A quick note: Cipralex (the name used in Pakistan, the UK, and Europe) is sold as Lexapro in the United States, so if you see Lexapro in international articles, it is the same molecule.
What Is Cipralex Used For?
The main uses of Cipralex tablets are depression and anxiety-related conditions.
| Condition | How Cipralex Helps |
| Major depressive disorder | Lifts persistent low mood, loss of interest, poor sleep and energy |
| Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) | Reduces constant worry, restlessness and muscle tension |
| Panic disorder | Reduces the frequency and intensity of panic attacks |
| Social anxiety disorder | Eases fear of social situations |
| Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) | Reduces intrusive thoughts and compulsions |
The uses of Cipralex 10 mg are the same as above. The 10 mg tablet is the usual starting or standard maintenance strength for depression and generalised anxiety, and Cipralex 10 is the strength most people in Pakistan are prescribed first. Doctors may also use it for other conditions not listed here, based on their clinical judgement.
Not for: it does not work as a quick “calm me down now” pill, it is not a sleeping tablet, and it is not addictive in the way people sometimes fear. It does need time and consistency to work, as explained below.
How Is Cipralex Dosed? (5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg)
Your dose is individual. The table shows the general reference pattern doctors follow, so your prescription makes sense to you:
| Situation | Typical Pattern |
| Depression, GAD, social anxiety | 10 mg once daily; the doctor may increase to 20 mg after at least a week if needed |
| Panic disorder | Often starts at 5 mg for the first week to avoid initial jitteriness, then 10 mg, up to 20 mg |
| OCD | Often 10–20 mg daily |
| Adults over 65, or people with liver problems | Usually 5 mg to start, with a lower ceiling (commonly 10 mg) |
So where does each strength fit?
- Cipralex 5mg is mainly used as a gentle starting dose for panic disorder and for older adults.
- Tab Cipralex 10mg is the standard working dose for most adults.
- Cipralex 20mg (also written Cipralex 20 mg) is the maximum usual daily dose, used only when 10 mg has not been enough, and your doctor decides the benefit is worth it.
How to take it
- Once daily, at the same time each day, with or without food. Many people prefer morning if it makes them feel alert, or evening if it makes them drowsy.
- Swallow with water. Do not skip doses and then double up.
- Be patient. Some people feel slightly better in the first 1 to 2 weeks, but it often takes 2 to 4 weeks to notice a clear benefit, and longer for the full effect. Stopping at week two because “nothing is happening” is one of the most common reasons treatment fails.
- Treatment usually continues for several months after you feel well (commonly at least 6 months for a first episode of depression) to reduce the chance of relapse.
What the evidence shows: there is no good evidence that escitalopram, taken as prescribed, causes structural brain damage. SSRIs have been used for decades by millions of people. What research has repeatedly shown is that untreated, long-lasting depression and severe anxiety are themselves associated with changes in brain function, and effective treatment tends to move things in the right direction rather than the wrong one.
What is real and worth taking seriously
- Some people on SSRIs report feeling emotionally “flat” or blunted, or less able to cry or feel strong pleasure. This is a recognised effect and is a good reason to tell your doctor, who may adjust the dose or switch medicines.
- Sleep changes, sexual side effects and weight changes can occur (below).
- Long-term data on very long use is still being studied, which is why doctors review the need for treatment regularly rather than continuing it automatically forever.
So the honest summary is: Cipralex does not “damage your brain,” but it is a powerful medicine with real side effects, and the decision to take it should weigh the real cost of untreated illness against those effects, with a doctor.
Cipralex Side Effects
Common, especially in the first 1–2 weeks
- Nausea
- Headache
- Drowsiness or, in some people, trouble sleeping
- Dry mouth
- Increased sweating
- Dizziness
- Feeling more anxious or jittery at the very start
Common with continued use
- Sexual side effects: reduced desire, delayed orgasm or difficulty with erection. This is common with SSRIs and treatable, so do not stay silent about it.
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Yawning, vivid dreams
Less common but important
- Low sodium (hyponatraemia), more likely in older adults: confusion, severe tiredness, headache, muscle cramps
- Easier bruising or bleeding, especially if combined with NSAIDs
- Serotonin syndrome (rare): agitation, fever, sweating, shaking, rapid heartbeat, usually when combined with other serotonergic drugs. Needs urgent medical care.
- Heart rhythm effect (QT prolongation), which is dose-related. This is one reason the 20 mg dose is used carefully, and why older adults and people with certain heart conditions have lower dose limits.
Seek urgent medical help if you notice
- New or worsening thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Antidepressants carry a warning about this in people under 25, especially during the first weeks of treatment or after dose changes. If this happens to you or someone you know, contact your doctor or emergency services immediately, and ask a trusted person to stay with you.
- Severe agitation, confusion, or very fast heartbeat
- Signs of allergic reaction: swelling of face or throat, difficulty breathing
- Black stools or unusual bleeding
Stopping Cipralex Safely
Do not stop suddenly. Abrupt stopping can cause discontinuation symptoms: dizziness, “electric shock” sensations, nausea, irritability, anxiety, and sleep disturbance. This is not addiction, but it is unpleasant and avoidable. Your doctor will usually reduce the dose gradually over weeks, sometimes using the 5 mg tablet to step down. If you feel ready to stop, book a review rather than deciding alone.
Who Should Be Careful With Cipralex
- People with epilepsy or a history of seizures
- People with bipolar disorder, because an antidepressant alone can trigger mania
- People with heart rhythm problems or a family history of long QT
- Older adults (lower doses, sodium monitoring)
- People with liver or severe kidney disease
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women: the decision is individual. Untreated depression in pregnancy also carries risks, so never stop on your own; discuss with your doctor and your obstetrician.
- Drug interactions: never combine with MAO inhibitors, linezolid, or pimozide. Use caution with tramadol, triptans, St John’s wort, and other antidepressants. Combining with NSAID painkillers such as Brufen (ibuprofen) or aspirin-based Disprin raises bleeding risk, so ask your doctor which pain relief is safest for you; plain paracetamol, as in Panadol, is often the preferred choice.
- Alcohol can worsen drowsiness and low mood and is best avoided.
Cipralex vs Rivotril: Why the Difference Matters
People often confuse these two because both are used for anxiety, but they work very differently. Cipralex is a daily antidepressant that treats the underlying anxiety or depression over weeks and carries no significant dependency risk. A benzodiazepine like Rivotril (clonazepam), covered in our guide to its uses, side effects, and dependency risk, works within hours but can cause physical dependency, which is why it is generally used only briefly while an SSRI such as Cipralex takes effect.
Cipralex 10 mg Price in Pakistan
Based on current pharmacy listings (Oladoc, Naheed, Marham, MyVitaminStore):
| Strength / Pack | Approximate Price (PKR) |
| Cipralex 10 mg, pack of 14 tablets | Rs. 1,396 |
| Cipralex 20 mg | Rs. 2,033 per pack |
| Cipralex 5mg | Priced lower than 10 mg; older listings show around Rs. 295, so confirm with your pharmacy |
So the Cipralex 10 mg price in Pakistan is currently around Rs. 1,396 for 14 tablets, and the Cipralex price in Pakistan for the 20 mg strength is about Rs. 2,033. Some older or discount listings show lower figures near Rs. 1,000–1,115 for 10 mg, so prices vary by pharmacy and date. As a Cipralex Pakistan prescription medicine, it should be bought from a licensed pharmacy with a valid prescription; avoid unverified sellers, since counterfeit antidepressants are a real risk. Cheaper generic escitalopram brands exist locally; ask your doctor or pharmacist before switching, as brands can differ slightly in how they suit you.
FAQs
Cipralex 10 mg is used for depression and anxiety disorders (generalised anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety) and OCD.
The generic name of Cipralex is escitalopram (as escitalopram oxalate). Any escitalopram of the same strength contains the same active ingredient.
Often 2 to 4 weeks for a clear improvement, sometimes longer for full effect.
Not in the way benzodiazepines can be. It does not cause cravings, but stopping suddenly can cause discontinuation symptoms, so taper under medical guidance.
Some people gain a little weight over months; others lose or stay the same. Effects vary; mention significant changes to your doctor.
