Both drugs are well-tolerated and can be very effective in the treatment of depression as well as anxiety disorders. Although Zoloft is only indicated for depression, many doctors prescribe it for anxiety as well. Ask your doctor if one of these drugs may be right for you.
Paxil can be dangerous when used in the first trimester of pregnancy, and Zoloft can be dangerous when used in the third trimester. However, mental health is important—untreated depression and anxiety can also be dangerous. Consult your doctor about using a different medication if you are pregnant. If you are already taking Paxil or Zoloft and find out that you are pregnant, contact your healthcare provider for medical advice.
Zoloft is the brand name of the medication. Sertraline is the generic name. Most patients take sertraline, the generic. All antidepressants come with a list of warnings and side effects , as outlined above. However, because everyone is different, many people react differently to different antidepressants.
Sometimes it takes a bit of trial and error to find the one that works best for you, with the least side effects. All of the SSRI antidepressants have gone through extensive clinical trials to establish safety and efficacy.
Consult your healthcare provider to see if Paxil is the right drug for you. Skip to main content Search for a topic or drug. Paxil vs. Zoloft: Differences, similarities, and which is better for you. By Karen Berger, Pharm. Want the best price on Paxil? Want the best price on Zoloft? Top Reads in Drug vs. Toujeo vs Lantus: Main Differences and S Dulera vs Advair: Main Differences and S Suboxone vs Methadone: Main Differences Looking for a prescription?
A higher level of serotonin plays a positive role in mood and affect. Paxil is available by prescription only in regular and controlled-release tablets, as well as an oral solution. Lexapro is available generically as escitalopram, and it is also an SSRI.
Its mechanism is similar to that of paroxetine in that it increases free serotonin. Lexapro is available as an oral tablet and oral solution. Sign up for Lexapro price alerts and find out when the price changes! Get price alerts. Paxil and Lexapro are both indicated to treat both major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, but they each treat other types of conditions as well. Paxil is approved in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD , panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD.
In women specifically, Paxil is used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder PMDD and hot flashes associated with menopause. It can be used off-label, or without the approval of the Food and Drug Administration FDA , for premature ejaculation in men. Lexapro is sometimes used off-label for obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating. The following chart provides a list of conditions treated by Paxil and Lexapro.
It may not include all potential uses, and you should always consult with your mental health or psychiatry professional to see if one of these drugs is right for you. A meta-analysis compared 12 antidepressants, including Paxil and Lexapro, and their effects on depression. Researchers sought to compare both the efficacy and tolerability of these treatments.
The resulting data showed that Lexapro was significantly more efficacious at improving outcomes in MDD. Lexapro also showed a more acceptable tolerability, leading to fewer patients who discontinued therapy.
In another meta-analysis study, Paxil and Lexapro were compared for their effects on anxiety. Lexapro was found to be significantly more effective than a placebo and was well-tolerated. Paxil, while effective as well, was poorly tolerated and led to a higher number of discontinuations. Based on this data, Lexapro may be preferred in generalized anxiety disorder.
Sign up for Paxil price alerts and find out when the price changes! Paxil is a prescription medication that is typically covered by both commercial and Medicare drug plans. Lexapro is also a prescription medication that is typically covered by both commercial and Medicare drug plans. Get the pharmacy discount card. Paxil and Lexapro are both SSRIs and have a similar side effect profile, though as studies mentioned above suggest, the occurrence of these adverse events may vary a great deal between the two drugs.
Side effects are the primary reason patients discontinue treatment with antidepressants, and it is important to know what to expect and have a discussion with your prescriber or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of side effects. A complete list may be obtained from your healthcare provider. Paxil and Lexapro are each metabolized by the cytochrome P enzyme system. However, Paxil may be a better choice for some people in spite of these issues.
To confuse the issue, the prescribing doctors aren't even sure which drug is better for treating depression: Celexa vs Paxil. There was an excellent article that came out in a issue of Psychology Today. The writer of the article asked three prominent psychopharmacologists one question, "Which antidepressant is best for whom? Note that these specialists are the best in the nation; they are specialists who teach about antidepressants at Harvard's Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
If you're considering taking antidepressants the entire article is well worth a read maybe two reads. Some of the interesting points examined include:. Since an individual cannot know which depression medication is best for treating personal depression, Celexa, Paxil or maybe even another medication , the best thing to do is to become an informed consumer. Both Celexa and Paxil have low side-effects, but both are especially noted for treating anxiety as well as depression.
As stated above, many people have anxiety issues along side of depression. A downside of both Celexa and Paxil is that they can take a while to take effect. It may take up to four weeks before the individual notices any relief from symptoms. To learn more about Celexa and Paxil, please talk to your doctor. When depression is too much to handle alone, it's a good idea to see a counselor as you begin treatments.
This can provide a good back-up system if a drug takes a long time to work or you have to try another type of medication. Remember going in that antidepressants work differently, and try to stay positive because one will work for you. Which Is Better for Treating Depression: Celexa vs Paxil As with any medication, it's difficult to know how individuals will respond to antidepressant treatment until they're taking it.
Even Doctors Are Unclear To confuse the issue, the prescribing doctors aren't even sure which drug is better for treating depression: Celexa vs Paxil. Some of the interesting points examined include: There is no one-size-fits-all antidepressant.
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