Differentiating Between Celexa and Lexapro: An Overview
Swing by for a mental health rundown on Celexa and Lexapro, two popular prescriptions for mood and anxiety disorders. These two drugs share similarities, but there are key differences. Both belong to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) family, boosting serotonin to manage depression and anxiety.
SSRIs, such as Celexa and Lexapro, are regarded as effective treatments for anxiety and depression, with a favorable safety profile. Now, let's tackle the differences:
- Purity & Potency: Lexapro's active ingredient is the S-enantiomer, making it more potent and potentially causing fewer side effects compared to Celexa, which is a racemic mixture.
- Side Effects: Both drugs are generally well-tolerated, but Lexapro may exhibit a slightly more favorable side-effect profile in certain studies due to its purity.
- Time to Effect: Both can take several weeks for optimal benefits; individual responses may vary.
Are you curious about which medication might be best for your unique situation? Explore our website for personalized mental health guidance from licensed professionals. We're here to help steer you towards the right mental health support for your specific needs.
Sources:[1] Montgomery, S., Hansen, T., & Kasper, S. (2010). Efficacy of escitalopram compared to citalopram: A meta-analysis. The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 14(2), 261–268. doi:10.1017/s146114571000115x[2] Gorman, J. M., Korotzer, A., & Su, G. (2002). Efficacy comparison of escitalopram and citalopram in the treatment of major depressive disorder: Pooled analysis of placebo-controlled trials. CNS Spectrums, 7(S1), 40–44. doi:10.1017/s1092852900028595[3] Escitalopram (Lexapro). (2022). National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Retrieved December 14, 2022, from https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Treatments/Mental-Health-Medications/Types-of-Medication/Escitalopram-%28Lexapro%29[4] our website articles. (n.d.). Written by experienced mental health-wellness contributors. They are grounded in scientific research and evidence-based practices, extensively reviewed by our clinical experts to ensure accuracy and follow current industry standards. Articles contain trusted third-party sources that are linked within the text or listed at the bottom to provide direct access to source material.
Mental health medications like Celexa and Lexapro, belonging to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) family, are popular prescriptions for treating mood and anxiety disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Both medications are effective and have a favorable safety profile, but Lexapro's active ingredient is the S-enantiomer, making it potentially more potent with fewer side effects compared to Celexa due to its purity. Additionally, both drugs may exhibit individual responses but can take several weeks for optimal benefits. For personalized guidance on choosing the right medication for your unique situation, explore our website for mental health advice from licensed professionals. Our articles are grounded in scientific research and evidence-based practices, reviewed by clinical experts, and linked to trusted third-party sources.
