Lexapro and Zoloft have both proved to be extremely beneficial medications for many people with depression and other mental health concerns. What’s the difference between Lexapro vs. Zoloft, and how can you decide which one is right for you?
At Valor Behavioral Health, our team of experienced professionals can help you evaluate medications and other treatment options to find the solutions that best align with your needs and goals. To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, contact us today.
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What Are Lexapro & Zoloft?
Lexapro and Zoloft are prescription medications that are most frequently used to treat depression, though they are both prescribed for other purposes as well.
Zoloft was initially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1991, while Lexapro first earned FDA approval in 2002.
Both medications are classified as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. The are usually taken once per day in either tablet or liquid form.
What Are SSRIs?
SSRIs are a category of medications that increase the amount of serotonin in a person’s central nervous system (CNS).
What Is Serotonin?
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, or chemical messenger, that sometimes also functions as a hormone. It is involved in regulating several vital functions, including mood, memory, stress response, and sexual desire.
Activities such as exercise and exposure to sunlight prompt the body to release serotonin, which has the effect of improving mood and reinforcing these behaviors.
How Do SSRIs Work?
Typically, a neuron (nerve cell) will release serotonin into the synapse, or miniscule gap, that separates it from neighboring nerve cells. Once the serotonin has crossed the synapse and delivered its message, a special protein transports it back to the originating cell, where it is reabsorbed and stored for later reuse.
SSRIs prevent the transporter proteins from returning the serotonin, which leads to a buildup of the neurotransmitter in the synapse. This has the effect of amplifying the message that the serotonin is delivering.
For some people, this buildup and message amplification can lead to an easing of depression and certain other mental health symptoms.
Who Uses Lexapro & Zoloft?
The uses of prescription medications are commonly divided into two categories, FDA-approved and off-label.
FDA-Approved Uses
The FDA’s approval means that the drug’s manufacturer has submitted ample research to confirm that the medication is safe and effective for a specific use.
Lexapro has two FDA-approved uses:
- Major depressive disorder (MDD)
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
The FDA has approved Zoloft to treat six conditions:
- Major depressive disorder (MDD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Panic disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Social anxiety disorder (social phobia)
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
Off-Label Uses
Off-label use doesn’t mean that a drug is ineffective or risky. It simply means that the FDA has not evaluated its use for that purpose.
Common off-label uses of Lexapro include:
- Social anxiety disorder
- OCD
- Panic disorder
- PTSD
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Vasomotor symptoms of menopause
Physicians may prescribe Zoloft on an off-label basis to treat:
- Binge-eating disorder
- Body dysmorphic disorder
- Bulimia nervosa
- GAD
- Premature ejaculation
Differences Between Lexapro vs. Zoloft
Lexapro and Zoloft are both classified as SSRIs, and both treat several of the same conditions. So, how do doctors decide which medication to use?
Key differences between Lexapro vs. Zoloft include:
- Ingredients: The primary active ingredient in Lexapro is escitalopram. In Zoloft, the primary active ingredient is sertraline.
- History: Zoloft has been available in the U.S. for 11 years longer than Lexapro has, though both have decades of research and anecdotal reports to document their safety and effectiveness.
- Scope of use: Zoloft has three times as many FDA-approved uses as Lexapro, and is the only one of the two that is used to treat eating disorder patients. Lexapro is the only one that is FDA-approved to treat generalized anxiety disorder, which is one of the most common mental health conditions.
- Recommended dosage range: A daily dose of Lexapro is usually about 10mg-20mg, while those who use Zoloft typically take 50mg-200mg per day.
- Pediatric patients: The FDA has approved Zoloft for OCD patients as young as age 6. The youngest FDA-approved patients for Lexapro are 7-year-olds with generalized anxiety disorder.
- Side effects: Though both drugs cause similar side effects, Zoloft is a bit more likely to cause nausea and diarrhea. Lexapro use is associated with a slightly higher risk of weight gain.
Alternatives to Lexapro & Zoloft
If you’ve been struggling with anxiety or depression, your treatment options aren’t limited to Lexapro vs. Zoloft. There are a range of other meds that may be more appropriate for you. Also, several types of therapy can be helpful.
Other Medications
In addition to Lexapro and Zoloft, other frequently prescribed meds within the SSRI category include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and citalopram (Celexa).
Outside of SSRIs, other medication options for depression and anxiety include:
- Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): Meds in this category include duloxetine (Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), and levomilnacipran (Fetzima).
- Atypical antidepressants: This class of meds includes bupropion (Wellbutrin), trazodone, and mirtazapine (Remeron).
- Tricyclics: This is an older category of antidepressants that aren’t usually prescribed unless a person hasn’t been helped by SSRIs, SNRIs, or atypical antidepressants. Options include imipramine, amitriptyline, and protriptyline.
- Benzodiazepines: Also known as benzos, and usually used to treat anxiety, this category includes alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), triazolam (Halcion), and clonazepam (Klonopin)
Types of Therapy
Even if you’re taking a medication that has eased your symptoms, you may also benefit from therapy to help you better understand the disorder you’ve been living with and develop more effective strategies for managing your emotions.
Therapies that can be valuable for people with depression and/or anxiety include:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Holistic therapies
- Trauma therapies
Remember: There’s no medication, therapy, or course of treatment that works for everyone who has depression, anxiety, or any other mental health condition. This is why it’s so important to find a treatment provider who will take the time to understand your unique needs and goals, then develop a truly customized plan just for you.
Find Depression Treatment in Atlanta
Valor Behavioral Health is a trusted source of comprehensive outpatient care for individuals whose lives have been disrupted by anxiety, depression, other mental health disorders, and co-occurring addiction.
Treatment options at our center in Atlanta, GA, include a partial hospitalization program (PHP), intensive outpatient program (IOP), evening IOP, virtual (online) IOP, outpatient program (OP), and adolescent program. In each program, you can expect to receive personalized, evidence-based clinical services and compassionate support from a team of highly skilled professionals.
Call 866-859-3442 today to learn more, or verify your insurance now.
