The medications Celexa and Lexapro are used to treat anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder (MDD), and other mental health conditions. It might be difficult to decide which of the several drugs used to treat these diseases to utilize.

Understanding the distinctions and similarities between the two is helpful, even though a patient should see their physician for advice on the best course of action. To select the best medications, it will assist a patient in determining whether either medication is having negative side effects or whether there is anything crucial to share with the doctor regarding their symptoms and general medical history. The article looks at how Celexa and Lexapro are used for anxiety as well as other significant features of the two medications to assist you with that.

What Are Lexapro and Celexa?

Celexa and Lexapro are members of the class of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. Because these drugs prevent serotonin from being reabsorbed, the brain produces more of this neurotransmitter. Neurons (brain nerve cells) communicate more effectively when serotonin levels are high. Because they exclusively affect serotonin and not other neurotransmitters, these medications are referred to as selective.

Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft are further SSRIs. They are used to treat many mental health conditions and have FDA approval for the treatment of depression. In 1998 and 2002, respectively, the FDA authorized the use of Celexa and Lexapro for MDD.

Celexa and Lexapro’s Similarities for Anxiety

Both of these medications are SSRIs, which block serotonin reuptake. By encouraging improved communication between the nerve cells in the brain, they lessen the feelings of anxiety. When a patient stops taking Lexapro or Celexa, they both experience withdrawal symptoms. They also have comparable adverse effects, such as dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, and increased perspiration. Additionally, generic versions of both medications are available and are priced similarly. Citalopram is the generic form of Celexa, while escitalopram is the generic form of Lexapro.

Although neither Celexa nor Lexapro is a restricted substance, they are both prescribed drugs. In addition to treating anxiety, they can be used off-label to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), binge-eating disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Both medications are used once daily, come in liquid and tablet form, and are equally likely to interact with other medications such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tramadol, and St. John’s Wort. They do not, however, have many drug-to-drug interactions since they both have a poor capacity to inhibit hepatic enzymes.

The distinction between Lexapro and Celexa

1. Composition

The primary distinction between citalopram and escitalopram is their makeup. There are two stereo-isomers of citalopram. S-citalopram and R-citalopram are these. Compounds with the same chemical formula but distinct atomic configurations are known as stereo-isomers. S-citalopram, on the other hand, is the only isomer of Lexapro.

2. Permitted Use

Although Celexa can be used off-label for GAD, it is only FDA authorized for treating major depressive disorder, whereas Lexapro is licensed for treating both anxiety and depression. Taking medications to address a medical condition even if the FDA has not approved them is known as off-label. The doctor must decide if the advantages of taking the medication exceed any possible hazards in this situation. The off-label uses of the two medications are not necessarily the same. Celexa, for instance, can be used off-label to treat dementia-related aggressive disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.

3. Dosage

Even though the two medications may be administered to treat the same disease, their doses differ. Lexapro typically has a dose that is around half that of Celexa. Celexa’s dosage range is 20 to 40 milligrams per day, but Lexapro’s is typically 10 to 20 mg per day. Each medication’s dose may vary based on several variables. For instance, the dosage range for Celexa drops to 10 to 20 milligrams per day in the elderly, whereas the dosage range for Lexapro drops to 5 to 10 mg per day.

4. Adverse Reactions and Tolerance

Their adverse effects also differ in a few ways. Some of them happen more frequently with one medication than the other, but many of them are shared. Celexa users, for instance, are more likely to feel agitated and exhausted, and at higher dosages, they may have QT prolongation. On the other hand, heartburn, appetite loss, and difficulty sleeping are more common in Lexapro users.

According to the information that is currently available, Lexapro is typically easier to tolerate than Celexa and other SSRIs.

The best anxiety medicine can only be selected by a licensed mental health practitioner.

5. Weight Gain with Celexa vs. Lexapro

Gaining weight while taking antidepressants is one of the concerns of many MDD or GAD sufferers. The main cause, which is not directly related to medicine, is that the patient’s increased hunger is a result of their better symptoms. Although this is a common side effect of antidepressants, some may cause greater weight gain than others. However, there are no appreciable variations in the weight gain caused by Lexapro and Celexa.

How Much Time Does Celexa Take to Start Working?

Depending on the individual, certain anxiety symptoms, such as difficulty sleeping, will go away in the first two weeks. By the eighth week, more noticeable symptoms will be seen.

How Much Time Does Lexapro Take to Start Working?

Similar to other SSRIs, Lexapro will increase serotonin levels after it has built up in the body. During the first two weeks, you will notice improvements in your appetite, activity levels, and sleep. You will observe a further notable improvement in the other symptoms by the sixth or eighth week.

Which Is Better, Celexa or Lexapro?

Fast acting is one of Lexapro’s advantages over Celexa, which makes it a superior depression medicine. According to one study↗, patients’ depressed symptoms significantly improved in the first week of using Lexapro, compared to those of Celexa users in the fourth week.

Would it be possible to move from Celexa to Lexapro?

Given the aforementioned distinctions, it might be alluring to think about moving from Celexa to Lexapro. Usually, if symptoms don’t significantly improve after a long period of time, doctors may think about modifying their patients’ medicines. How long does it take for a patient to detect a change after transitioning from Celexa to Lexapro? The individual and your condition’s previous status will determine that. Typically, you won’t notice certain symptoms getting better for two weeks.

Concluding remarks

Although Lexapro can seem like the superior drug, Celexa works better for some people. To discover a workable solution, doctors experiment with different antidepressant dosages. The two should not be taken simultaneously, and the appropriate dosage is determined by several circumstances. Seeking and adhering to your doctor’s advice about the appropriate medicine is crucial, as is giving thorough feedback on the results of the recommended course of therapy.