Escitalopram Vs. Lexapro: Drug Comparison

Escitalopram is the active ingredient in the brand-name medication Lexapro^®. The information below is about brand name Lexapro. According to the FDA, “Generic medicines use the same active ingredients as brand-name medicines and work the same way, so they have the same risks and benefits as the brand-name medicines.”

Lexapro (escitalopram) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat anxiety and depression by increasing available serotonin levels in the brain, which helps improve mood and reduce anxiety. Its FDA-approved indications include the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults and adolescents. Off-label uses may include treating panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and social anxiety disorder. Lexapro is available in tablet and oral solution forms, taken once daily. Common side effects include nausea, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction, and it carries a boxed warning for an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults, particularly during the initial stages of treatment.

Lexapro^® (escitalopram) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat anxiety and depression by increasing available serotonin levels in the brain, which helps improve mood and reduce anxiety. Its FDA-approved indications include the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults and adolescents. Off-label uses may include treating panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and social anxiety disorder. Lexapro is available in tablet and oral solution forms, taken once daily. Common side effects include nausea, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction, and it carries a boxed warning for an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults, particularly during the initial stages of treatment.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)

Lexapro (escitalopram) is indicated for the:

• Treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older

• Treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults and pediatric patients 7 years and older

Lexapro (escitalopram) is indicated for the:

• Treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older

• Treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults and pediatric patients 7 years and older

• Typically taken orally once daily

• Comes in 5 mg, 10 mg (scored), and 20 mg (scored) tablets

• Typically taken orally once daily

• Comes in 5 mg, 10 mg (scored), and 20 mg (scored) tablets

Most commonly observed adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 5% and at least twice the incidence of placebo patients) are:

• Insomnia

• Ejaculation disorder (primarily ejaculatory delay),

• Nausea

• Sweating increased

• Fatigue and sleepiness

• Decreased libido

• Inability to orgasm

Most commonly observed adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 5% and at least twice the incidence of placebo patients) are:

• Insomnia

• Ejaculation disorder (primarily ejaculatory delay),

• Nausea

• Sweating increased

• Fatigue and sleepiness

• Decreased libido

• Inability to orgasm

Concomitant use with SSRIs, SNRIs or Tryptophan is not recommended 
Use caution when concomitant use with drugs that affect Hemostasis (NSAIDs, Aspirin, Warfarin)

• Do not use MAOIs intended to treat psychiatric disorders with Lexapro or within 14 days of stopping treatment with Lexapro. Do not use Lexapro within 14 days of stopping an MAOI intended to treat psychiatric disorders. In addition, do not start Lexapro in a patient who is being treated with linezolid or intravenous methylene blue

• Concomitant use of pimozide

• Known hypersensitivity to escitalopram or citalopram or any of the inactive ingredients

• Drug interactions: SSRIs, SNRIs, tryptophan, drugs that affect hemostasis (NSAIDs, aspirin, warfarin)

• Do not use MAOIs intended to treat psychiatric disorders with Lexapro or within 14 days of stopping treatment with Lexapro. Do not use Lexapro within 14 days of stopping an MAOI intended to treat psychiatric disorders. In addition, do not start Lexapro in a patient who is being treated with linezolid or intravenous methylene blue

• Concomitant use of pimozide

• Known hypersensitivity to escitalopram or citalopram or any of the inactive ingredients

• Drug interactions: SSRIs, SNRIs, tryptophan, drugs that affect hemostasis (NSAIDs, aspirin, warfarin)

• Serotonin syndrome

• Discontinuation syndrome

• Seizures

• Activation of mania/hypomania

• Low blood sodium: Can occur in association with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion

• Increased risk of bleeding

• Interference with cognitive and motor performance

• Angle closure glaucoma

• Use in patients with concomitant illness

• Sexual dysfunction

• Pregnancy: SSRI use, particularly later in pregnancy, may increase the risk for persistent pulmonary hypertension and symptoms of poor adaptation (respiratory distress, temperature instability, feeding difficulties, hypotonia, tremor, irritability) in the neonate

• Serotonin syndrome

• Discontinuation syndrome

• Seizures

• Activation of mania/hypomania

• Low blood sodium: Can occur in association with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion

• Increased risk of bleeding

• Interference with cognitive and motor performance

• Angle closure glaucoma

• Use in patients with concomitant illness

• Sexual dysfunction

• Pregnancy: SSRI use, particularly later in pregnancy, may increase the risk for persistent pulmonary hypertension and symptoms of poor adaptation (respiratory distress, temperature instability, feeding difficulties, hypotonia, tremor, irritability) in the neonate

WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS

Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in pediatric and young adult patients taking antidepressants. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Lexapro is not approved for use in pediatric patients less than 7 years of age.

WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS

Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in pediatric and young adult patients taking antidepressants. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Lexapro is not approved for use in pediatric patients less than 7 years of age.

*This information is from the label for brand name Lexapro^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Escitalopram, the active ingredient in Lexapro, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient escitalopram.

*This information is from the label for brand name Lexapro^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Escitalopram, the active ingredient in Lexapro, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient escitalopram.