Compare common side effects, interactions, warnings, and more.
Escitalopram
Sertraline
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.
Sertraline is the active ingredient in the brand-name medication Zoloft®. The information below is about brand name Zoloft. 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.”
Zoloft (sertraline) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat mood disorders by increasing available serotonin levels in the brain, which helps improve mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Its FDA-approved indications include the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (PD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Off-label uses may include the treatment of eating disorders and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Zoloft is available in tablet and oral solution forms, typically taken once daily. Common side effects include nausea, dizziness, 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 treatment period.
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
Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride) is indicated for the treatment of:
Major depressive disorder (MDD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Panic disorder (PD)
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Social anxiety disorder (SAD)
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
Typically taken orally once daily
Comes in 5 mg, 10 mg (scored), and 20 mg (scored) tablets
Typically taken orally once daily
Comes in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg tablets and 20 mg/mL oral solution
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 common adverse reactions (≥5% and twice placebo) in pooled placebo-controlled MDD, OCD, PD, PTSD, SAD and PMDD clinical trials were:
Nausea
Diarrhea/Loose stool
Tremor
Indigestion
Decreased appetite
Excessive sweating
Ejaculation failure
Decreased libido
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)
Concomitant use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or use within 14 days of stopping MAOIs
Concomitant use of pimozide
Known hypersensitivity to sertraline or excipients
Zoloft oral solution only: Concomitant use of disulfiram
Drug interactions: protein-bound drugs, CYP2D6 substrates
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
Increased risk of bleeding
Activation of mania/hypomania
Seizures
Angle closure glaucoma
QTc prolongation
Sexual dysfunction
Pregnancy: Third trimester use may increase risk for persistent pulmonary hypertension and withdrawal 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
Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients.
Closely monitor for clinical worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
*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 Zoloft®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Sertraline, the active ingredient in Zoloft, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient sertraline.
The information provided here is NOT MEDICAL ADVICE and is for informational and educational purposes only. The drug comparison tool does not determine eligibility for medications or treatments provided via the Hims/Hers platform. Consultation with a healthcare provider is required to assess suitability for any medical treatment based on individual health and medical history. All product names and associated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.