Lexapro Vs. Zoloft

Is Lexapro or Zoloft the Right Depression Medication for You?

In the fast paced world we live in today many people find themselves with increased anxiety, depression, and overall stress. Many health professionals are prescribing anti-depression medications as a way to treat these conditions and among these are two of the most popular treatments today, Lexapro and Zoloft.

Both Lexapro and Zoloft are members of the SSRI family of drugs. SSRI stands for Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor their purpose is to allow the available serotonin in the patient's body to be utilized more effectively. Studies have shown that low levels of serotonin in a person often results in anxiety, depression, and sometimes personality disorders.

While SSRIs are not considered addictive, there are certain psychological withdrawal symptoms that may occur when a patient suddenly discontinues use. It is important that a patient seek the advice of a health care professional before beginning or ending SSRI treatment. There is also an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adolescent patients, and therefore young patients on these treatments should be monitored very closely until treatment is complete.

While Lexapro and Zoloft are similar in the way they treat depression and anxiety, there are some differences in the side effects patients experience with each. Below is an overview of the most common side effects associated with each medication:

Lexapro is said to be a relatively safe drug with a low occurrence of side effects. Some of the most common are nausea, insomnia, ejaculation disorder, somnolence, increased sweating, decreased libido, and anorgasmia. While not all patients experience side effects it is always important to report any discomfort or change in your body to the health care professional administering the drug. Additionally, patients may develop certain respiratory tract infections, sinusitis, flu-like symptoms, and fatigue. Most side effects are reported to have decreased or subsided completely with continued treatment and the vast majority of patients did not discontinue use of the drug based on the side effects they experienced.