Prolexa 5mg Tablets – Escitalopram for Depression & Anxiety Treatment in Pakistan
Pay in 3 Installments of
Rs.
128
JazzCash
easypaisa
NayaPay
Bank transfer
Cash on Delivery
Description
Prolexa 5mg Tablets — Escitalopram (SSRI)
Prolexa 5mg Tablets contain Escitalopram at the lowest available strength — used as a starting dose or for patients who require careful titration, including elderly patients and those with hepatic impairment. Escitalopram is the highly selective S-enantiomer SSRI, offering a clean drug-interaction profile and evidence-based efficacy for MDD and GAD with minimal receptor promiscuity.
Approved Clinical Indications
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) — initiation/titration dose
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
5mg — Who This Dose Is For
- Elderly patients (≥65 years): 10mg is the maximum recommended; 5mg as starting dose reduces tolerability risk
- Hepatic impairment: Reduced clearance — start at 5mg, max 10mg
- Sensitive patients: Those who experience significant side effects at higher doses may benefit from 5mg
- Titration: Most patients advance to 10mg after 1–2 weeks if tolerated
Important Clinical Notes
- Serotonin syndrome: Avoid MAOIs — 14-day washout required before/after MAOI use; also avoid tramadol, triptans, linezolid, methylene blue.
- Sexual dysfunction: May occur even at 5mg — discuss with prescriber if problematic.
- Gradual discontinuation: Even at low doses, taper gradually to minimise discontinuation symptoms.
- Minimal CYP2D6 inhibition — one of the safest SSRIs for patients on multiple medications.
Prescription Required
This is a prescription-only medication. Send your valid Rx to sales@derma.pk or WhatsApp +92-320-5999650.
Browse related: Anti-Depressants | Anti-Anxiety Medicines | Prescription Medicines
Usage & Benefits
- Elderly-appropriate dose: Recommended starting dose for patients ≥65 years where maximum recommended escitalopram dose is 10mg
- Hepatic impairment: Reduced clearance patients should start at 5mg and not exceed 10mg
- Gentle initiation: Minimises early tolerability issues (nausea, sleep changes) by introducing the drug at the lowest effective dose
- Clean interaction profile: Minimal CYP2D6 inhibition — safe for patients on multiple medications
- Proven SSRI platform: Shares the same selective SERT inhibition mechanism as higher doses with proportionally reduced exposure
How To Use
Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor — typically once daily, preferably in the morning. Most patients will be advanced to 10mg after 1–2 weeks if tolerated well. Do not stop abruptly — taper gradually under medical guidance. Avoid MAOIs (14-day washout), tramadol, triptans, linezolid, and other serotonergic medications. Even at 5mg, inform your prescriber of all other medications, supplements, and herbal products.
FAQs
Who is Prolexa 5mg recommended for?
The 5mg dose is particularly recommended for elderly patients (≥65 years), patients with hepatic impairment, and those who are sensitive to SSRIs. Most patients will be titrated to 10mg after a brief initiation period.
Can I stay on 5mg permanently?
Possibly — your prescriber will determine the appropriate maintenance dose based on clinical response and tolerability. For elderly patients, 10mg is the maximum; some may maintain well at 5mg.
Is escitalopram 5mg still effective for depression?
Clinical data primarily supports 10mg and 20mg doses for full efficacy in MDD. The 5mg dose is used for initiation and in populations where lower exposure is required. Your prescriber will advance the dose if needed.
What is the difference between Prolexa 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg?
All three contain escitalopram oxalate — the difference is dose strength. 5mg is the starter/elderly dose, 10mg is the standard therapeutic dose, and 20mg is the maximum adult dose for inadequate responders to 10mg.
