Author: Charles Frank
Top escitalopram alternatives and how to switch your Rx
These effects can be positive for those suffering from insomnia and weight loss. Over half of people with chronic migraine have depression, demonstrating how commonly comorbid these conditions are. The SNRI Effexor XR may provide both reliefs of depression symptoms and prevention of migraine. Effexor XR can be used off-label for migraine headache prophylaxis at times. Combining antidepressants with alcohol can worsen symptoms of depression or anxiety, impair your thinking and alertness, and increase sedation and drowsiness. A medication guide will be given to you with a new or refill prescription of Lexapro or Zoloft with information about side effects and other warnings.
SNRIs, like Cymbalta, Effexor XR, Pristiq, and Fetzima, are often called upon next when SSRIs are ineffective or intolerable. These agents offer some potential additional benefits that could be appealing to you. Cymbalta has approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating diabetic neuropathy pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic musculoskeletal pain. If you have another of these conditions in addition to depression, you can get dual benefits.
However, another study found that Zoloft led to outcomes that were at least as good as or better than patients using Lexapro or Celexa in terms of adherence, drug costs, and medical spending. At CareCard, we are passionate about helping make your prescription payments more affordable, saving members up to 85% on prescription drugs and medications. You can search for antidepressant medication coupons here and learn how CareCard can help make your medication payments more manageable. Whatever the case, there are different medications and treatment options other than Lexapro. We put together this guide to provide an overview of these alternative treatments so that you can make an informed decision about which treatment plan is best for you. Antidepressants are a popular treatment choice for depression.
Compare escitalopram alternatives
Dr. Samuel Lee is a board-certified psychiatrist, specializing in a spiritually-based mental health discipline and integrative approaches. He graduated with an MD at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and did a residency in psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. He has also been an inpatient adult psychiatrist at Kaweah Delta Mental Health Hospital and the primary attending geriatric psychiatrist at the Auerbach Inpatient Psychiatric Jewish Home Hospital. In addition, he served as the general adult outpatient psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente.
Additionally, you may experience other, more common adverse effects from Lexapro or Zoloft. The right alternative treatment varies from person to person. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized recommendations based on your specific mental health needs and medical history.
- He has also been an inpatient adult psychiatrist at Kaweah Delta Mental Health Hospital and the primary attending geriatric psychiatrist at the Auerbach Inpatient Psychiatric Jewish Home Hospital.
- This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
- Some limited evidence exists for using carnitine, creatinine, glycyrrhizic acid, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc, mostly as adjuncts added to antidepressants.
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are often the following choices, offering the potential to increase synaptic levels of two neurotransmitter brain chemicals. In other circumstances, atypical antidepressants and serotonin modulators are two different options that could make sense. Antipsychotics are sometimes called upon for the treatment of depression, most often to augment the effects of antidepressants. Older antidepressant medications like tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are also in use. For anxiety alone, buspirone and benzodiazepine can be considered.
Can I use Lexapro vs. Zoloft while pregnant?
Because both drugs are in the same category, they have similar drug interactions. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. It’s important to remember the right type of therapy will differ from person to person. Consult your healthcare provider for recommendations if you need help deciding where to start.
To view a report comparing 3 (or more) medications, please sign in or create an account. Yes, several other SSRIs, such as Celexa (Citalopram), Prozac (Fluoxetine), Pexeva (Paroxetine Mesylate), Paxil (Paroxetine Hydrochloride), and Zoloft (Sertraline), are commonly prescribed alternatives to Lexapro. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication. Lyle Murphy is the founder of the Alternative to Meds Center, a licensed residential program that helps people overcome dependence on psychiatric medication and addiction issues using holistic and psychotherapeutic methods. MAO inhibitors such as selegiline should not be used within 14 days of Lexapro or Zoloft; the combination may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, a life-threatening medical emergency due to a buildup of serotonin. Zoloft is typically covered by both insurance and Medicare Part D, generic will have a much lower copay, whereas brand may have a much higher copay or not be covered at all.
Both Lexapro and Zoloft come with an FDA black box warning for antidepressants and suicidality. Children, adolescents, and young adults (up to age 24) taking antidepressants have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. All patients on antidepressants should be carefully monitored. Other drugs that may interact with Lexapro or Zoloft include macrolide antibiotics such as Zithromax, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as Mobic, or painkillers such as Ultram. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records.
No prescription drug carries a guarantee of effectiveness, and every medicine has the potential for adverse effects. These accepted facets of drug treatment motivate many to look for nonpharmacologic interventions for their mental health. Psychotherapy with a professional therapist could be considered based on supportive evidence from clinical trials. In comparison, light therapy has less support but still has some interest. Other Lexapro substitutes include holistic and alternative medicine.
What is Zoloft?
Other drugs in the SSRI class of medications are Prozac (fluoxetine), Celexa (citalopram), and Paxil (paroxetine). Although Lexapro and Zoloft are similar, they have notable differences in their indications as well as cost. Treatment at Alternative to Meds Center aims to discover any medical reasons why an individual may be depressed. Please take time to review the amazing roster of treatments available at the center on our services overview page. Beyond SSRIs, there are several options you might be interested in.
In some cases, children, teenagers and young adults under 25 may have an increase in suicidal thoughts or behavior when taking antidepressants, especially in the first few weeks after starting or when the dose is changed. With persistence, you and your health care provider can find one that works so that you can enjoy life more fully again. The following are some of the most common alternatives to escitalopram. Your doctor will weigh the benefits of taking an antidepressant vs. the risk to the baby. Some doctors will prescribe a low dose of antidepressant while pregnant. If you are already on Lexapro or Zoloft and find out that you are pregnant, consult your OB/GYN immediately for advice.
Antidepressants and risk of suicide
Consult your healthcare professional for a complete list of side effects. The most effective medication, though, should only be determined by your doctor taking into account your medical condition(s), medical history, and other medications you are taking. Lexapro was shown in clinical studies to be significantly more effective than placebo in the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe, especially if you stop abruptly. Never stop taking Lexapro without consulting your healthcare provider, as they can help you slowly taper down to minimize any adverse reactions. As with most antidepressants, some side effects may occur, especially when first taking it.
Zoloft is available in 25, 50, or 100 mg tablets (brand or generic) and as a liquid in 20 mg/ml oral solution (generic). Zoloft costs about $365 for 30 tablets of 100 mg brand name tablets; the Medicare Part D copay for generic (100 mg, 30 tablets) typically ranges from $0-13, and with a SingleCare card you can expect to pay $9 to $31. Lexapro is typically covered by both insurance and Medicare Part D, the generic will have a much lower copay, whereas brand name may have a much higher copay or may not be covered at all. Lexapro is available in 5, 10, or 20 mg tablets (brand or generic) and as a liquid in 5 mg/5 ml oral solution (generic).
He is board-certified in psychiatry and neurology and has a B.A. His specialty is in natural healing techniques that promote the body’s innate ability to heal itself. We invite you to give us a call and talk, so you can get an understanding of the comprehensive array of resources for Lexapro alternatives that are the backbone of our programs for natural mental health.
Psychodynamic therapy looks at the real underlying cause(s) of anxiety or depression, such as traumatizing events, repressed emotions, or social problems. Lexapro (escitalopram) is an SSRI indicated for acute and maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adolescents aged years and adults, and acute treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults. Zoloft was shown in clinical studies to be significantly more effective than placebo in the treatment of major depressive disorder, panic disorder, PTSD, OCD, SAD, and PMDD. While the number of prescriptions written continues to rise, we also see a rise in the lack of results. Prescription drug overuse may actually worsen psychiatric symptoms.22 At Alternative to Meds Center, we believe that holistic and psychotherapeutic interventions are poised to resolve what is causing the symptoms. These effective alternatives to Lexapro can allow constant growth and progress toward natural mental health for life.