Lexapro Vs. Zoloft: Drug Comparison

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.

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

• 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.