Additionally, SSRIs can help stimulate the growth of new cells and create stronger connections, particularly in an area of the brain called the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex DLPFC.
New cell growth in the DLPFC can balance areas of your brain that control anger, fear, memories, and mood. Lexapro has been approved to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder, and Prozac is an antidepressant that can be used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, panic attacks, and more.
Although both Prozac and Lexapro are antidepressants, there are a few key differences between them that may be useful to know if you are on the search for the right medication for your individual needs. This is your complete guide to everything you need to know about Prozac and Lexapro. There are a few key factors that you may want to take into consideration when working with your provider to find the right medication, such as:. This means that both of these antidepressants work by preventing your body from reabsorbing serotonin, thus leading to increased available levels of this neurotransmitter.
With Brightside , you just need to fill out our free online assessment that allows us to get a better understanding of your individual needs and concerns, and then we connect you with a psychiatric provider who will match you with the right medication for your individual needs. If medication is prescribed your medication can even be delivered to your doorstep in most states.
Living with a mental health condition can be tough, but with Brightside, you can get the care you deserve right from the comfort of your home. Prozac is the brand name for the drug fluoxetine, and Prozac specifically can be used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, certain eating disorders, and panic attacks.
Fluoxetine is also sometimes used to treat other mental health conditions, like premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Prozac is available in a few different forms, including capsules, tablets, and liquid, and it can generally be taken with or without food.
When you start taking Prozac, it can take 4 or 5 weeks for you to really start feeling the benefits , so it is important to be patient when starting a new prescription. Even if you do start feeling the effects, you should continue taking your medication unless instructed otherwise by your provider. It is also important to keep in mind that it is not a good idea to suddenly stop taking your Prozac medication — instead, if you need to switch medications or otherwise stop using Prozac, your provider will work with you to craft a plan to wean you off of your medication.
Suddenly stopping can lead to discontinuation syndrome which causes withdrawal-like symptoms such as mood changes, dizziness, irritability, anxiety, headaches, confusion, and sweating. Prozac and Lexapro are antidepressant medications. They belong to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs. They help treat depression by boosting the activity of the chemical serotonin. Serotonin is made in both your brain and intestines.
By enhancing serotonin, these drugs treat symptoms of depression. Prozac and Lexapro are each available as generic drugs. In general, generic drugs cost less than their brand-name counterparts. Most health insurance companies cover both drugs.
As brand-name drugs, Prozac and Lexapro cost about the same. However, your out-of-pocket costs will depend on your health insurance plan. Both medications are available at most pharmacies. The side effects of Prozac and Lexapro are fairly similar. For example, Prozac is linked with more nausea and diarrhea, especially when you first start taking it. Sleeping problems also tend to be more intense with Prozac. Seniors tend to process drugs more slowly.
A drug that goes through the body more quickly, such as Lexapro, may cause fewer side effects. This means that Lexapro may be a better choice for older adults. Some antidepressants are not safe for younger people, but both Prozac and Lexapro are approved for use in children and adolescents. Young people who use Prozac or Lexapro may have side effects, such as extreme thirst. Girls may have heavier menstrual periods. Young people who take Lexapro may also have trouble urinating, while young people who take Prozac may need to urinate more often.
If you talk to your doctor about these drugs, be sure to factor in how the side effects may affect you. These drugs can interact with other medications. These include monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs and other drugs. Lexapro is generally covered by insurance and Medicare Part D. The generic version usually has a much lower copay, whereas the brand-name version usually has a much higher copay or may not be covered at all.
Prozac is also generally covered by insurance and Medicare Part D; choosing generic will save a great deal of money. The brand generally has a much higher copay or may not be covered. The most common side effects of Lexapro are headaches, nausea, sexual problems, drowsiness, and insomnia. With each new or refilled prescription of Lexapro or Prozac, you will receive a medication guide that discusses side effects, warnings, and other important information.
This is not a full list of side effects. Other adverse effects may occur. Consult your healthcare provider for a full list of side effects. The combination may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome , a life-threatening medical emergency due to a buildup of serotonin. Triptans used to treat migraines, such as Imitrex sumatriptan , as well as other antidepressants, such as Elavil or Cymbalta, should not be used in combination with Lexapro or Prozac due to the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Also, the cough suppressant dextromethorphan—which is found in Robitussin-DM as well as a number of other cough and cold products—should be avoided as it can also cause serotonin syndrome when combined with Lexapro or Prozac. Other drugs that may interact with Lexapro or Prozac include macrolide antibiotics such as Zithromax , NSAIDs non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, or painkillers such as Ultram tramadol.
Alcohol should be avoided when taking Lexapro or Prozac. This is not a full list of drug interactions. Consult your healthcare provider for a full list of drug interactions. Children, adolescents, and young adults up to 24 years old who take antidepressants have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. All patients on antidepressants should be carefully monitored. Lexapro or Prozac should only be used in pregnancy if the benefit to the mother is greater than the risk to the baby.
Stopping the medication may cause a relapse of depression or anxiety. Therefore, patients should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Your healthcare provider can weigh the risk versus benefits of using an SSRI during pregnancy.
Neonates exposed to SSRIs in the third trimester have developed complications requiring prolonged hospitalization, respiratory support, and tube feeding. If you are already on Lexapro or Prozac and find out you are pregnant, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Lexapro is an SSRI selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that is used for depression and anxiety. It is available in both brand and generic escitalopram. Prozac is an SSRI that treats depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, bulimia nervosa, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and panic disorder. Its generic name is fluoxetine. Prozac is available in brand and generic. They are similar, but not exactly the same.
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