FDA approves Lupin depression, anxiety drug

BALTIMORE — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic psychiatric drug made by Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Lupin said Thursday.

The Indian drug maker announced the approval of escitalopram tablets in the 5-mg, 10-mg and 20-mg strengths, used for acute and maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder in adults and adolescents and for acute treatment of general anxiety disorder in adults.

The drug is a generic version of Forest Labs' Lexapro, which had sales of about $2.7 billion during the 12-month period that ended in June 2012, according to IMS Health.

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