The recommended starting dose for Lexapro-whether you are taking it for depression or anxiety-is typically 10 mg taken once a day. Lexapro (escitalopram) is available in tablet and liquid forms: Lexapro may be used “off-label” to help treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders (including binge eating disorder or bulimia nervosa), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). This is a common and acceptable medical practice. “Off-label” use means taking a medication for a condition that it has not been approved by the FDA to treat. Lexapro may also sometimes be prescribed for “off-label” uses. It is used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Lexapro is the brand name of the generic drug escitalopram.
Looking more closely at each of these medications can help you determine which medication might be a better choice for your treatment plan. When looking at Lexapro vs Zoloft, both are SSRI medications, but that does not mean they are exactly the same. SSRIs increase the serotonin levels in your brain by preventing serotonin from being reabsorbed into the neurons (nerves in your brain) and thus inactivated. Serotonin helps to keep your mood balanced and plays a role in feelings of contentment, optimism, and satisfaction, as well as your overall sense of well-being. As mentioned above, both Lexapro and Zoloft are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of antidepressant medication that also may be used to treat anxiety.Īs their name implies, SSRIs affect the levels of serotonin (a neurotransmitter) in your brain.
Talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or following any treatment or regimen.Īntidepressant medications are typically grouped by how and which neurotransmitters (tiny molecules in the brain that relay messages from nerve to nerve) they primarily affect in order to relieve depression symptoms. They are not a substitute for a medical exam, nor do they replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. They are not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. Minded Medication Guides, including Zoloft vs Prozac and Wellbutrin vs Lexapro, are intended as educational aids only.
Read on to learn more about these two medications, including: This information can be helpful to you when talking with your doctor, prescribing nurse, or Minded provider in choosing the medication used in your treatment plan. Whether this is your first time taking one of these medications or you are thinking about switching from Lexapro to Zoloft (or switching from Zoloft to Lexapro), this Minded Medication Guide will take a closer look at Lexapro vs Zoloft to help you understand which medication might be the better choice for you. Two SSRIs that you might consider are Lexapro and Zoloft. You and your doctor or prescribing nurse may want to begin by narrowing your search to one specific category of medication frequently used to treat depression or anxiety-such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Medication is often an important part of treating both generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). If you are struggling with anxiety or depression, remember that with the right treatment plan in place, relief is possible.
0 kommentar(er)
