Current or past diagnosis of asthma

Long-term oxygen therapy

Currently on treatment with anti-depressives

Serious inter-current illness (eg lung cancer)

One year survival considered unlikely

Patients who have evidence of alcohol or drug abuse

Participation in another clinical trial with an investigational drug in four weeks preceding the screening visit

Clinically significant or unstable concurrent disease e.g. left ventricular failure, diabetes mellitus

Known or suspected hypersensitivity to escitalopram

Escitalopram in Anxiety Associated Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Exacerbations