Prozac or lexapro which is better

Fluoxetine is also sometimes used to treat other mental health conditions, like premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Prozac is available in a few different forms, including capsules, tablets, and liquid, and it can generally be taken with or without food.

When you start taking Prozac, it can take 4 or 5 weeks for you to really start feeling the benefits , so it is important to be patient when starting a new prescription.

Even if you do start feeling the effects, you should continue taking your medication unless instructed otherwise by your provider. It is also important to keep in mind that it is not a good idea to suddenly stop taking your Prozac medication — instead, if you need to switch medications or otherwise stop using Prozac, your provider will work with you to craft a plan to wean you off of your medication.

Suddenly stopping can lead to discontinuation syndrome which causes withdrawal-like symptoms such as mood changes, dizziness, irritability, anxiety, headaches, confusion, and sweating. Before you start taking Prozac, you should inform your provider if you are allergic to any other medications, and if you are currently taking any other medications, and even vitamins or supplements.

Prozac, like many medications, can have some drug interactions, so it is important to make your provider aware of any medicines you are using regularly. Lexapro is the brand name for escitalopram, and it is also an antidepressant approved for the treatment of depression and anxiety. It works by restoring the balance of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is the hormone that plays a crucial role in helping to stabilize mood, happiness, and provide a sense of well-being.

Within the first weeks of taking Lexapro, you may notice improvements in your sleep, energy, or appetite, and these improvements can be an important first sign that your medication is doing its job. That said, it can take up to weeks for the full effects to be felt, so it is important to be patient. The best SSRI for anxiety, though, is the one that works best for you.

Ask your healthcare provider if an SSRI will help treat your anxiety. Indicated for depression and other conditions, Prozac is sometimes prescribed off-label for anxiety. Consult your healthcare provider for medical advice. Prozac can have some side effects on the nervous system such as insomnia, tremor, anxiety, or nervousness, which could make you feel jittery.

However, feeling symptoms of tremor, fast heartbeat, or agitation could possibly be signs of serotonin syndrome see above for warnings.

It can be life-threatening, so seek emergency medical attention. Skip to main content Search for a topic or drug. Lexapro vs. Prozac: Differences, similarities, and which is better for you. By Karen Berger, Pharm. Want the best price on Prozac? Want the best price on Lexapro? 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?

Search now! Type your drug name. Tablet, capsule, solution Also in combination with olanzapine as Symbyax. Used in combination with olanzapine Symbyax to treat depressive episodes associated with bipolar I disorder. In general, generic drugs cost less than their brand-name counterparts.

Most health insurance companies cover both drugs. As brand-name drugs, Prozac and Lexapro cost about the same. However, your out-of-pocket costs will depend on your health insurance plan. Both medications are available at most pharmacies. The side effects of Prozac and Lexapro are fairly similar. For example, Prozac is linked with more nausea and diarrhea, especially when you first start taking it.

Sleeping problems also tend to be more intense with Prozac. Seniors tend to process drugs more slowly. A drug that goes through the body more quickly, such as Lexapro, may cause fewer side effects. This means that Lexapro may be a better choice for older adults. Some antidepressants are not safe for younger people, but both Prozac and Lexapro are approved for use in children and adolescents.

Young people who use Prozac or Lexapro may have side effects, such as extreme thirst. Girls may have heavier menstrual periods. Young people who take Lexapro may also have trouble urinating, while young people who take Prozac may need to urinate more often. If you talk to your doctor about these drugs, be sure to factor in how the side effects may affect you.

These drugs can interact with other medications. These include monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs and other drugs. This is because the half life of Lexapro is much shorter than the half life of Prozac, which means it is processed through the body more quickly, limiting the incidence of side effects. Although the side effects associated with Lexapro are generally less severe than those associated with Prozac, some side effects do still exist.

The side effects of Lexapro are slightly different for children and adults. Children and adolescents may experience the same possible side effects listed above for adults, but may also experience the following:. Side effects associated with Prozac generally fall into two categories: common and rare but serious.

Both Lexapro and Prozac have the potential to cause potentially dangerous reactions when interacting with other medications. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs, should not be used within 14 days of using Lexapro or Prozac, as the drugs can interact and cause serotonin syndrome.

Serotonin syndrome is a serious medical condition that is caused by a buildup of serotonin in the brain. Common symptoms of serotonin syndrome include shivering, fever, seizures, diarrhea, confusion, severe muscular tightness, and death.

Other medications that affect the amount of serotonin in the body, including other antidepressants and triptans used to treat migraines, can also interact with Lexapro and Prozac and cause serotonin syndrome. This can also occur with the cough suppressant dextromethorphan, which is commonly found in Robitussin-DM. In addition to interacting with drugs that influence the amount of serotonin in the brain, Lexapro and Prozac can also interact with macrolide antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , painkillers like tramadol, and alcohol.

Lexapro and Prozac are both equally effective in the treatment of mental health conditions like major depressive disorder, but the drugs will work differently for different patients. Lexapro and Prozac are both used for the treatment of major depressive disorder, while Lexapro is also prescribed for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder.