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Anxiety
26 min read
Written by Klarity Editorial Team
Published: Mar 5, 2024
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Zoe Russell
Lexapro and Prozac are among the most commonly-prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for anxiety and depression. They have a lot of similarities, but there are important differences that may make one better for you. In this post, we explore the major differences between Lexapro vs Prozac to help you learn more about their differences, including:
Finding the right medication takes time, a bit of trial and error, and a commitment to your treatment plan.
Getting an appointment with a board-certified medical provider who can diagnose and prescribe anxiety and depression treatment shouldn’t take weeks.
When you book on Klarity, we connect you with a depression and anxiety-trained mental health provider who can diagnose and prescribe medication online. Schedule an appointment and meet with a medical provider in 24 hours or less.
This article discusses suicide, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or is in crisis, call or text 988 or dial the Lifeline’s previous phone number, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) in the U.S.
Lexapro | Prozac | |
Drug Class | Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) | Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) |
Brand / Generic Status | Brand name for escitalopram | Brand name fluoxetine |
Form(s) of the Drug | • Immediate-release tablets • Clear, peppermint-flavored liquid suspension | • Clear, peppermint-flavored liquid suspension • Half-green, half-white capsules |
Standard Dosage | Liquid suspension: • 10mg per dose Immediate-release tablets: • 10mg per dose • 20mg per dose | Liquid suspension: • 10mg per dose Capsules: • 10mg per dose • 20mg per dose |
Conditions Treated | FDA-approved uses: • Major depressive disorder • Generalized anxiety disorder Off-label uses: • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) • Binge-eating disorder • Bulimia nervosa • Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD) • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder • Panic disorder • Insomnia | FDA-approved uses: • Anxiety and stress • Major depression • Bulimia nervosa • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) • Panic disorder • Postpartum depression • Schizoaffective disorder Off-label uses: • Anorexia nervosa • Premature ejaculation • Various anxiety disorders |
Cost | Generic form (escitalopram): • $15.00 and $120.00 for a 30-day supply* Brand-name: • $250.22 for a 30-day supply* *Without insurance | Generic form (fluoxetine): • $3 to $4 for 30-days’ worth of capsules* • $12 for 30 days’ worth of liquid suspension *May cost up to $100 for high dosages Brand-name: • $460 to $1000 for 30 days’ worth of capsules |
Side-Effects | Common side effects: • Dizziness and drowsiness • Weakness, shakiness, or sweating • Insomnia • Loss of appetite or nausea • Dry mouth • Constipation • Unexplained weight changes • Decreased sex drive or impotence • Difficulty having an orgasm Serious side effects: • Abdominal pain or bleeding • Allergic reaction • Blurred or tunnel vision • Abnormal dreams or decreased focus • Chest pain or irregular heartbeat • Eye pain, swelling, or halos around lights • Euphoria, depression, or unusual behavior • Headache, confusion, or slurred speech • Heartburn or vomiting • Hot flashes • Severe weakness or dizziness • Feeling unsteady or uncoordinated • Sweating and tremors • Rigid muscles | Common side effects: • Nausea • Diarrhea or constipation • Changes in appetite • Headache and fatigue • Increased sweating • Trouble sleeping • Impotence/sexual dysfunction Serious side effects include: • Fever • High blood pressure • Rigid muscles • Seizures • Kidney or respiratory failure • Disorientation or delirium • Serotonin syndrome |
Warnings For Use | Contraindicated conditions: • Liver or kidney problems • Heart problems • Seizures or convulsions • Bipolar disorder • Low sodium levels in the blood • High blood pressure • History of stroke • Bleeding problems Drug interactions: • MAOIs • NSAIDs • Aspirin • St. John’s Wort • Tryptophan • Opioid-based painkillers • Anti-psychotics • Alcohol | Contraindicated conditions: • Diabetes • Liver disease • Alcohol use disorder • History of bipolar disorder • History of suicide attempts • Low blood sodium or dehydration • Seizures • Gastrointestinal ulcers • Glaucoma Drug Interactions: • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) • Aspirin and other blood thinners • Antihistamines • Opioid pain relievers • St. John’s wort • Cannabis and MDMA |
Lexapro is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) often prescribed to treat anxiety and depression symptoms. Like other SSRIs, Lexapro alters how the brain uses the neurotransmitter serotonin, a chemical central to mood regulation.
By increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain and slowing down its reabsorption, Lexapro balances your mood and restores a sense of calm. Without a consistent level of serotonin in the brain, you can experience various symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Lexapro is available as a oral tablet in 5 milligrams, 10 milligrams, and 20 milligrams dosages. The typical daily dose is 10 milligrams, and higher quantities are often prescribed to individuals with severe symptoms or minimal reaction to the lower doses.
When you speak with a healthcare provider on Klarity, they help determine which form and dosage are best for treating your specific symptoms.
Lexapro is primarily prescribed to treat depression. Because low serotonin levels impact several mental health conditions, some SSRIs can also treat other conditions like anxiety. If you experience both anxiety and depression, Lexapro could be an ideal choice for you.
Like many medications, there are also off-label uses for Lexapro. Any off-label treatment should only be done with the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Lexapro effectively treats many anxiety symptoms. By stabilizing your serotonin levels, this medication helps you feel at ease in the present, greatly reducing apprehension toward current and future events. This process can affect other symptoms, reducing the severity of panic attacks and irregular thought patterns and helping people relax in their daily life.
Lexapro treats a host of depression symptoms. By boosting your serotonin, this SSRI can reduce feelings of nervousness and increase your overall sense of well-being and general contentment.
There are several off-label uses for Lexapro (escitalopram), including:
The cost of Lexapro can vary based on whether you’re prescribed the name brand or its generic form, escitalopram. For 30 tablets of the 10 milligrams dose, generic escitalopram can cost $19 per drugs.com.
Name brand Lexapro is much more expensive. For 100 tablets of the 10 milligrams dose, it can cost $1,552 per drugs.com. If you can get your prescription covered by insurance, it can be much more affordable, whether you get the name-brand or generic form.
Like other antidepressant medications, Lexapro has side effects you should know before taking it. Some of these side effects can become less severe as you acclimate to the drug, but if they persist or worsen over time, notify your provider immediately.
The most common side effects include:
When taking Lexapro, there is a chance you may experience serious health issues. Most of these can be prevented with careful guidance from your healthcare provider, while others can be more unpredictable. The medical professionals on Klarity can review your health history to determine if Lexapro is right for you.
Warning signs include:
This is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition where the brain has too much serotonin. If you’re taking multiple serotonin-boosting medications, side effects can include sweating, rapid heart rate, muscle spasms or stiffness, fever, and confusion.
Lexapro can have adverse interactions with other medications or supplements, potentially causing health issues or making one or both substances ineffective. Your healthcare provider may choose not to prescribe you Lexapro because of its possible drug interactions or suggest an alternative medication.
It’s vital to avoid certain medications, supplements, and substances that can interact with Lexapro (escitalopram) and cause potentially serious side effects. Here are some examples:
Prozac is another selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that treats symptoms of major depressive disorder. Similar to Lexapro, Prozac increases serotonin levels in the brain to create a chemical balance that regulates your mood and emotions.
Prozac is available in capsule form in 10 milligrams, 20 milligrams, and 40 milligrams doses.
The exact dosing for Prozac depends on your age and specific health concerns. That said, the usual dosage ranges from 10 milligrams to 60 milligrams by mouth once daily.
Though primarily prescribed to treat depression and anxiety symptoms, Prozac also has off-label uses. If your Klarity healthcare provider believes your specific condition can be treated using Prozac, they may recommend it even if you don’t explicitly have anxiety or depression.
Prozac treats key anxiety symptoms, including constant nervousness that can interfere with daily activities. As your treatment progresses, these symptoms will likely decrease, allowing you to experience greater calm and positive thought patterns.
Prozac is often prescribed to treat major depressive disorder, which has many symptoms, including hopelessness and general emotional instability. Compared to other medications, Prozac is especially effective at contributing to greater energy levels, making it useful for individuals who struggle with low energy as a symptom of depression.
Prozac (fluoxetine) has several off-label uses, including:
If your provider prescribes you Prozac off-label, only take it exactly as instructed.
Prozac is more affordable in its generic form of fluoxetine. For 30 capsules of the 20 milligrams dose, fluoxetine can cost as little as $47 per drugs.com. Name-brand Prozac is much more costly, as much as $471 for the same amount and dosage of medication per drugs.com.
Prozac has similar side effects to other antidepressants, many of which can lessen in severity as your body adjusts to the medication. If these side effects aren’t going away or worsening, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
The most common side effects of Prozac include:
When taking Prozac, there are warnings for use that may result in serious health complications. To prevent issues from occurring, only take Prozac as instructed by your healthcare provider, and notify them immediately if you experience any dramatic changes to your health.
The most common warnings for use include:
Like Lexapro, Prozac may interact with other prescription drugs and over-the-counter supplements, causing one or all medications to become less effective. Notify your healthcare provider of all medicines and supplements you’re taking before receiving a prescription for Prozac, as they may recommend an alternative medication to prevent any adverse interactions.
Notable drug interactions for Prozac:
Tell your provider about all other medications, supplements, and substances you are taking, including over-the-counter and herbal supplements, to avoid potential interactions and adverse effects.
Lexapro and Prozac are prescription antidepressant medications that should only be taken under the guidance of a qualified provider. They can take several weeks to reach their full effect, and the dosage may need to be adjusted over time based on the patient’s response to treatment.
The choice between Lexapro and Prozac will depend on various factors, including the patient’s medical history, the severity of their symptoms, current mental health conditions, and their response to previous antidepressants.
It is important to work closely with a provider, like the providers on Klarity, to determine the most appropriate medication and dosage for you.
Still deciding on Lexapro vs Prozac? Speak with a provider on Klarity about your symptoms and treatment goals, and get online anxiety and depression medication.
Klarity makes finding online anxiety and depression treatment fast and easy. Here’s how—
Schedule an appointment to get started with Klarity today.
Most weight gain caused by SSRIs results from improving anxiety and depression symptoms, as these conditions commonly cause people to have a lower appetite and fewer cravings. As serotonin levels in the brain become regulated, some individuals may notice they are hungrier or eat more because they’re adjusting to a more regular appetite.
Lexapro and Prozac should not be taken together because they are both SSRIs, and taking both simultaneously could result in serotonin syndrome. This condition is rare, but it’s marked by dangerously high serotonin levels in the brain, which can lead to life-threatening symptoms.
Lexapro is more likely to have sexual side effects, including ejaculation issues, decreased sexual drive, and problems with orgasm. Prozac can cause a general decrease in sexual desire, but its sexual side effects are not as widespread as Lexapro’s.
Many antidepressants can cause sleep problems, such as insomnia or drowsiness, and both Lexapro and Prozac have these side effects. While they are relatively uncommon, in some studies, insomnia is a more common side effect when taking Prozac.
When taking any SSRI medication, it’s important to understand how it affects your body before driving or operating heavy machinery. Lexapro and Prozac can cause drowsiness. You should wait until your body acclimates to the medication before driving.
If feelings of drowsiness persist or worsen as you take these medications, speak with your healthcare provider before getting behind the wheel.
Drinking alcohol is not recommended while taking Lexapro or Prozac, as it can impact the effectiveness of the medications and worsen drowsiness and coordination. Let your healthcare provider know if you regularly drink alcohol so they can suggest alternative forms of medicine.
While Prozac and Lexapro are both effective at treating anxiety, many studies have found that Lexapro is better at reducing symptoms and providing individuals with a greater sense of calm.
Prozac and Lexapro are both SSRIs that treat depression symptoms in similar ways. However, compared to Prozac, Lexapro has shown to be slightly more effective at reducing how much depression affects a person’s ability to move through daily life.
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