Lexapro vs Paroxetine
 | Lexapro |  | Paroxetine |  |
| Escitalopram is an antidepressant (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor-SSRI) used to treat depression and anxiety. It works by restoring the balance of certain natural substances (neurotransmitters such as serotonin) in the brain. Escitalopram may improve your feelings of well-being and energy level and decrease nervousness. | Paroxetine is used to treat depression, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder. It works by helping to restore the balance of a certain natural substance (serotonin) in the brain. Paroxetine is known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). This medication may improve your mood, sleep, appetite, and energy level and may help restore your interest in daily living. It may decrease fear, anxiety, unwanted thoughts, and the number of panic attacks. It may also reduce the urge to perform repeated tasks (compulsions such as hand-washing, counting, and checking) that interfere with daily living. OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional. This medication may also be used to treat a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual dysphoric disorder). It may also be used to treat hot flashes that occur with menopause. | |||
Alternatives
Reviews
| Add Lexapro review I have experienced excessive sweating with this medication. This has been a disaster. I've been on various medications for the last ten years due to persistent, low-grade depression. Celexta gave me bruxism, Zoloft made me want to do nothing but sleep, and Cymbalta was great for me, but just stopped working after a couple of years. So my doc started me on this and it did nothing. Until I tried to stop taking it! Since then (and I've tapered off very slow ... Lexapro ruined my family's life. I would not recommend this drug to anyone! It created aggression, hostility, weight gain, alchoholism, and it made the person into a total zombie. Lexapro is EVIL. A friend of mine was taking Lexapro and highly recommened it. After fighting depression, I consulted my doctor and she prescribed 10mg to start. I felt it working immediately. 3 months later, she increased the dosage to 20mg and I am completely satisfied. I am not edgy, short tempered and I sleep like a baby. This drug saved my life! Lexapro helped my depression a few years back when both Wellbutrin and another did not work out well for me.Lexapro did help my depression but I felt it kind of brought me to a mellow happy medium. I wasn't back to being excited about everything and being full of life, but I could get through the normal day fine and was overall happy. It got my life back on track. I did notice the sexual side ... | Add Paroxetine review I have been on this medication for years...at this point, I guess it works, hahaha! I do have issues when I have tried to go off of it, but I would rather be on it, and happy, than off of it and miserable. this stuff is horrible. I was prescribed this for depression and anxiety. I totally shut down mentally on this, living without any emotional feeling at all. After about 6 weeks developed migraines with loss of vision. This was terrifying. Eye doctor said the pill was causing it but MD said it wasn't the pill and prescribed a medication for the migraines. Weaned myself off of this, the headaches went away and once again I feel like living. I had some withdrawal symptoms for a few days but it was worth it to get off this and get rid of the side effects. I will never let anyone talk me into taking any type of drug like this again. i had increased heart rate and pulse, more panic attacks than normal, in fact daily. feeling like i cannot breath. i went to the ER and the doctor encouraged me to stop taking them. i had only been on them for two weeks 60mg per day has effectively controlled my severe depression for 18 years. Several times I have ceased taking the medication (inadvisedly) and suicidal depression has returned within a month. I now accept that I need to remain medicated. For anyone who wishes to stop taking this medication - don't stop suddenly! Reduce your dose gradually over a period of weeks to avoid withdrawal symptoms. And advise your doctor. | |||
