How old is lexapro?

How old is Lexapro (escitalopram) and when did it first get approved?

Lexapro is the brand name for escitalopram, an antidepressant of the SSRI class. It was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002.

How to calculate Lexapro’s age today

If Lexapro was first approved in 2002, then its age in years is based on the current year minus 2002.

For example, as of 2026, Lexapro would be about 24 years old.

Why “Lexapro’s age” can vary depending on what you mean

People sometimes mean different “start dates,” such as the first FDA approval (U.S.), the first approval in another country, or when generic escitalopram versions began selling. Those dates can differ, but the commonly cited “brand age” is tied to the first U.S. FDA approval in 2002.

Related check: When did generic escitalopram arrive?

Generic escitalopram products entered the market after patent/exclusivity protections expired. If you want, tell me the country (U.S. or another) and I can focus the timeline on that market.

Sources:
1. DrugPatentWatch.com – Lexapro (escitalopram) patent and exclusivity information