2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Indication and Population Recommended Dosage MDD in Adults ( 2.1 ) Initial: 10 mg once daily Recommended: 10 mg once daily Maximum: 20 mg once daily MDD in Pediatric Patients 12 years and older ( 2.1 ) Initial: 10 mg once daily Recommended: 10 mg once daily Maximum: 20 mg once daily GAD in Adults ( 2.2 ) Initial: 10 mg once daily Recommended: 10 mg once daily Maximum: 20 mg once daily GAD in Pediatric Patients 7 years and older ( 2.2 ) Initial: 10 mg once daily Recommended: 10 mg once daily Maximum: 20 mg once daily No additional benefits were seen at 20 mg once daily ( 2.1 ) Administer once daily, morning or evening, with or without food ( 2.3 ) Elderly patients: recommended dosage is 10 mg once daily ( 2.4 ) Hepatic impairment: recommended dosage is 10 mg once daily ( 2.4 , 8.6 ) When discontinuing escitalopram, reduce dose gradually whenever possible ( 2.5 ) 2.1 Major Depressive Disorder Adults The recommended dosage of escitalopram in adults is 10 mg once daily. A fixed-dose trial of escitalopram demonstrated the effectiveness of both 10 mg and 20 mg of escitalopram, but failed to demonstrate a greater benefit of 20 mg over 10 mg [ see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 ) ]. Depending on clinical response and tolerability, dosage may be increased to the maximum recommended dosage of 20 mg once daily at an interval of no less than 1 week. Pediatric Patients 12 years of age and older The recommended dosage of escitalopram in pediatric patients 12 years of age and older is 10 mg once daily. Depending on clinical response and tolerability, dosage may be increased to the maximum recommended dosage of 20 mg once daily at an interval of no less than 3 weeks. 2.2 Generalized Anxiety Disorder Adults The recommended starting dosage of escitalopram in adults is 10 mg once daily. Depending on clinical response and tolerability, dosage may be increased to the maximum recommended dosage of 20 mg once daily at an interval of no less than 1 week. Pediatric Patients 7 years of age and older The recommended starting dosage of escitalopram for pediatric patients ages 7 years of age and older is 10 mg once daily. Depending on clinical response and tolerability, dosage may be increased to the maximum recommended dosage of 20 mg once daily at an interval of no less than 2 weeks. 2.3 Administration Information Administer escitalopram orally once daily, in the morning or evening, with or without food. 2.4 Screen for Bipolar Disorder Prior to Starting Escitalopram Prior to initiating treatment with escitalopram or another antidepressant, screen patients for a personal family history of bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 ) ]. 2.5 Recommended Dosage for Specific Populations The recommended dosage for most elderly patients and patients with hepatic impairment is 10 mg once daily [ see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.5 , 8.6 ) ]. The recommended dosage for escitalopram in adults with a creatinine clearance less than 20 mL/minute has not been determined. No dosage adjustment is necessary for patients with mild or moderate renal impairment [ see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.7 ) ]. 2.6 Discontinuation of Treatment with Escitalopram Symptoms associated with discontinuation of escitalopram and other SSRIs and SNRIs have been reported [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ) ]. Patients should be monitored for these symptoms when discontinuing treatment. A gradual reduction in the dose rather than abrupt cessation is recommended whenever possible. If intolerable symptoms occur following a decrease in the dose or upon discontinuation of treatment, then resuming the previously prescribed dose may be considered. Subsequently, the physician may continue decreasing the dose but at a more gradual rate. 2.7 Switching Patients to or from a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) Antidepressant At least 14 days should elapse between discontinuation of an MAOI intended to treat psychiatric disorders and initiation of therapy with escitalopram. Conversely, at least 14 days should be allowed after stopping escitalopram before starting an MAOI intended to treat psychiatric disorders [ see Contraindications ( 4 ) ].