There are many mental health treatment medications available, with two of the most common being Lexapro and Zoloft. Both drugs are prescribed for a range of anxiety conditions, major depressive disorder, and even PTSD and OCD. What are the differences between these medications, and is one better than the other for certain conditions?
This article will aim to look at Lexapro vs Zoloft and what they have to offer for common mental health conditions, what the benefits are, as well as potential side effects. When under medical supervision, these treatments offer the potential for managing or alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life.
Lexapro vs Zoloft for Mental Health Treatment
Both Lexapro and Zoloft have FDA-approved and off-label uses for mental health conditions. Here’s a comparison look at the most common.
Both Treat Depression
It’s estimated 21 million adults in the United States suffer from Major Depressive Disorder. The FDA has approved Lexapro to treat both adults and adolescents from the ages 12-17 for Major Depressive Disorder (MMD). Zoloft is currently approved for use in adults and is one of the most widely prescribed prescriptions for this condition.
Common Anxiety Conditions
Anxiety conditions are the most common mental health issues, and in 2019, roughly 301 million people were affected by anxiety. Zoloft has FDA approval for the treatments of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and panic disorder. It’s also used off-label for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), whereas Lexapro is specifically approved to treat GAD.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
2.5 million adults have obsessive-compulsive disorder in the United States. Lexapro is prescribed off-label to treat OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder), but it doesn’t have FDA approval to treat this condition. Zoloft does have FDA approval to treat OCD in adults, adolescents, and children aged 6-17.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Zoloft has been approved by the FDA to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and is used widely to treat this condition. There are some instances of Lexapro being prescribed off-label for PTSD, so it’s best to discuss with your doctor what’s best for you.
What Benefits Can Zoloft and Lexapro offer?
There are several benefits that Lexapro and Zoloft can offer someone suffering from a mental health condition.
Manage Your Symptoms
Lexapro and Zoloft are effective at lessening the intensity of symptoms because they stabilize the mood and improve overall mental well-being. By altering neurotransmitters’ levels in the brain, they help regulate mood and the body’s response to anxiety.
Life Quality Improves
When taken on a regular schedule guided by your doctor, Lexapro and Zoloft can help you rebalance your emotions and improve day-to-day function, restoring your quality of life.
Help with Serotonin Regulation
Both of these medicines can increase the body’s levels of serotonin. By improving these levels, individuals can feel more productive and balanced with their mood.
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Side Effects: Lexapro vs Zoloft
Both Zoloft and Lexapro have the same potential side effects as nausea, weakness, dizziness, nausea, anxiety, sleeping trouble, sexual problems, shaking, sweating, loss of appetite, and dry mouth.
Some of these side effects may be more pronounced than others. For example, Lexapro is known to cause more sleep issues, while Zoloft is more common to cause diarrhea.
There’s a lot to consider with Lexapro vs Zoloft for mental health conditions. Which one is better suited for what condition might need to be answered by a healthcare professional who can take into account a person’s medical history?