Escitalopram is an antidepressant medication that belongs to a group of medicines known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) . It is used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults and children and teenagers 12 years of age and older. It is also used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and panic attacks. Escitalopram works by increasing the levels of a mood-enhancing chemical called serotonin in the brain. It usually takes 4 to 6 weeks for escitalopram to work fully. Common side effects include feeling sick (nausea) and headaches, which are usually mild and go away after a couple of weeks. If you and your doctor decide to take you off escitalopram, your doctor will probably recommend reducing your dose gradually to help prevent withdrawal side effects.