Printed on: 03 Apr 2023
Celexa and Lexapro are two frequent psychiatrist prescribed medicines for psychological well being points. Each are FDA-approved to deal with melancholy, though Lexapro will also be used for adults with nervousness. They each belong to a category of medicine referred to as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Whereas Celexa or Lexapro have comparable results on the physique, there are some key variations between them:
- Lexapro is authorized to deal with nervousness — although each are used off-label for different circumstances
- Lexapro could also be more practical than Celexa in treating signs of melancholy
- Lexapro is a barely newer drug — it was FDA-approved in 2002, whereas Celexa was authorized in 1998
- Lexapro is authorized to deal with melancholy in adults and youngsters 12 years and older; Celexa is just used with adults
Proceed studying as we discover extra on this comparability of Celexa vs Lexapro. We’re shining a lightweight on how every of those medicines works, what they deal with, what Celexa and Lexapro unwanted side effects you ought to be conscious of, and the way to decide on which one could also be best for you.
“Each of those medicines are categorized as SSRIs and prescribed for temper and nervousness issues. Celexa is FDA authorized and indicated for MDD and OCD. Lexapro is FDA authorized and indicated for MDD and GAD. Nevertheless, psychiatrists might prescribe these for different scientific circumstances or as an off label medicine.”
How They Work
When Lexapro vs Celexa, it’s essential to know how these medicine work. They each belong to a category of medicine referred to as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs improve serotonin ranges within the mind, which is believed to assist regulate temper.
Similarities between Lexapro vs Celexa:
- Each forestall the reuptake of serotonin by rising ranges, which improves depressive signs
- Each have generic variations
- Each have comparable unwanted side effects
- Each have withdrawal signs
- Each have comparatively few considerations about drug interplay with different medicine
- Each are solely obtainable by prescription, however neither is assessed as “managed medicine”
Variations between Celexa and Lexapro:
- Dosage is completely different
- Lexapro will be administered in both liquid or pill type, however Celexa remedy solely comes as drugs
- Unwanted side effects might differ
- Celexa is extra prone to trigger QT prolongation — a coronary heart disturbance — at larger doses
Psychiatry and Prescriptions On-line
Obtain an analysis and prescription for psychological well being medicine (if wanted) from a psychiatry-trained medical supplier.
Circumstances They Deal with
Celexa and Lexapro are each FDA-approved to deal with main depressive dysfunction (MDD), and Lexapro can deal with generalized nervousness dysfunction (GAD) in adults. They could even be used off-label for different psychological well being circumstances.
Celexa antidepressant medicine can be utilized off-label to deal with:
Lexapro antidepressant medicine can be utilized off-label to deal with:
Does Lexapro work higher than Celexa for nervousness?
A big distinction between Celexa and Lexapro is efficacy. Some research recommend that sufferers with generalized nervousness dysfunction (GAD) reply higher to Lexapro than Celexa for his or her situation.
Nevertheless, it’s essential to notice that every particular person responds otherwise to medicines. All the things from the efficacy to how lengthy it takes for Lexapro to work will be completely different throughout people. It’s at all times greatest to debate your choices along with your physician or healthcare supplier so you can also make the perfect selections about which medicine is best for you and your nervousness and melancholy signs.
Facet Results
Widespread unwanted side effects related to each medicine embody:
- Nausea
- Headache
- Insomnia or drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Elevated sweating
- Diarrhea
Some individuals might expertise sexual unwanted side effects, together with decreased libido or problem reaching orgasm whereas taking both drug. Different potential unwanted side effects embody weight achieve, particularly with reference to Lexapro weight achieve, or loss and modifications in urge for food.
Facet Impact | Lexapro | Celexa |
Nausea | ✓ | ✓ |
Dry mouth | ✓ | ✓ |
Headache | ✓ | ✓ |
Diarrhea | ✓ | ✓ |
Sweating | ✓ | ✓ |
Sleep points | ✓ | ✓ |
Tremors | Very uncommon | ✓ |
Tiredness | ✓ | ✓ |
Congestion/runny nostril | ✓ | ✓ |
Sexual issues | ✓ | ✓ |
Dizziness | ✓ | Very uncommon |
Seizures | With larger doses and in individuals with seizure dysfunction | |
*Low sodium ranges | ✓ | |
*Threat of bleeding | ✓ | ✓ |
*Irregular coronary heart rhythm | ✓ | |
*Manic episodes in individuals with bipolar dysfunction | ✓ | ✓ |
*Denotes extra extreme unwanted side effects
“A number of unwanted side effects are dose-dependent, at larger doses. These embody delayed ejaculation, fatigue, sleepiness, insomnia, sweating, and yawning.”
Does Celexa have much less unwanted side effects than Lexapro?
Generally, most individuals discover that the unwanted side effects of both drug are delicate in comparison with the advantages they see. That stated, some individuals do report experiencing fewer unwanted side effects when taking one over the opposite.
For those who really feel you’re having too many adversarial reactions from any medicine, converse along with your physician to allow them to regulate your dosage or change medicines.
Dosage
Dosage is one other distinction between Celexa and Lexapro. Dosage can range relying on components comparable to age and medical historical past of sufferers, however the typically advisable beginning doses are:
- Celexa: 20 mg per day
- Lexapro: 10 mg per day
“The dose increment is finished at completely different intervals and over completely different length. There’s a distinction within the signs response, the dosage prescribed is completely different Celexa 10/2/40 mg vs Lexapro 10/20 mg.”
Decide if Celexa or Lexapro Is Proper for You with Talkspace
Deciding which medicine is best for you will be troublesome. Even when taking the identical sort of antidepressant—like an SSRI comparable to Celexa or Lexapro — medicines can have an effect on individuals otherwise. Regardless, most individuals discover medicine is more practical when mixed with remedy. That’s why Talkspace affords on-line psychiatry and remedy companies, the place licensed psychological well being professionals can assist you establish the perfect remedy plan for you and your particular scenario.
With Talkspace, you obtain customized care tailor-made particularly in direction of serving to you handle your psychological well being situation so you possibly can obtain long-lasting outcomes. Don’t hesitate to succeed in out and begin your journey in direction of higher psychological well being right this moment.
Sources:
- Montgomery S, Hansen T, Kasper S. Efficacy of escitalopram in comparison with citalopram: A meta-analysis. The Worldwide Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology. 2010;14(02):261-268. doi:10.1017/s146114571000115x. https://tutorial.oup.com/ijnp/article/14/2/261/696727?login=false. Accessed December 14, 2022.
- Gorman JM, Korotzer A, Su G. Efficacy comparability of escitalopram and citalopram within the remedy of main depressive dysfunction: Pooled evaluation of placebo-controlled trials. CNS Spectrums. 2002;7(S1):40-44. doi:10.1017/s1092852900028595. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15131492/. Accessed December 14, 2022.
- Escitalopram (Lexapro). NAMI. https://www.nami.org/About-Psychological-Sickness/Remedies/Psychological-Well being-Drugs/Sorts-of-Remedy/Escitalopram-%28Lexapropercent29#: Accessed December 14, 2022.
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