escitalopram

Escitalopram, sold under the brand names Lexapro and Cipralex, among others, is an antidepressant. Its use has been associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, particularly during the initial weeks of treatment.

Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot of Germanwings Flight 9525, was prescribed escitalopram nine days before he purposely crashed the plane. In the week before the incident, Lubitz had researched online “ways to commit suicide.”