cilostazol + escitalopram

Cilostazol + escitalopram is an investigational combination therapy being studied as an adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). The combination pairs cilostazol, a selective phosphodiesterase-3 (PDE3) inhibitor traditionally used for intermittent claudication, with escitalopram, a standard selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). The therapeutic rationale is based on cilostazol's ability to increase intracellular cAMP levels, thereby activating the CREB/BDNF signaling pathway, which is often downregulated in depression. Additionally, cilostazol exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by suppressing TNF-α and NF-κB signaling. A randomized pilot study (NCT04069819) conducted by researchers in Egypt suggested that adding cilostazol to escitalopram significantly improved response and remission rates compared to escitalopram alone, although the primary publication associated with these findings was retracted in 2024 due to concerns regarding data integrity.

Other names

cilostazol and escitalopramcilostazol plus escitalopramCLS + ESC