Is Lexapro In The Same Family As Paxil?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Are Paxil and Lexapro the same? Paxil and Lexapro are both antidepressants classified as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, but

they are not the same

. They are both used in the treatment of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, but Paxil carries additional approved indications.

What is the best combination of antidepressants?

Using fluoxetine as the reference medication, the researchers analyzed various second-generation antidepressants. Sertraline and escitalopram had the best combination of efficacy and acceptability.

Can you take Paxil and Lexapro together?

Using PARoxetine together with escitalopram may

increase side effects

such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination.

What medications should not be taken with Lexapro?

Do not use escitalopram with

buspirone (Buspar®)

, fentanyl (Abstral®, Duragesic®), lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®), tryptophan, St. John’s wort, amphetamines, or some pain or migraine medicines (eg, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, tramadol, Frova®, Imitrex®, Maxalt®, Relpax®, Ultram®, Zomig®).

What medications should not be taken with Paxil?

Do not use paroxetine with

buspirone (Buspar®)

, fentanyl (Abstral®, Duragesic®), lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®), tryptophan, St. John’s wort, amphetamines, or some pain or migraine medicines (eg, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, tramadol, Frova®, Imitrex®, Maxalt®, Relpax®, Ultram®, Zomig®).

Is it better to take Paxil in the morning or at night?

When is the best time of day to take paxil? – it as long as you take it about the same time everyday. I would recommend

first thing in the morning

unless it happens to make you sleepy, in which case, take at night.

Which is better for anxiety Zoloft or Paxil?

In a randomized, double-blind study comparing the two drugs for the treatment of panic disorder,

Paxil and Zoloft

were found to be equally effective; however, Zoloft was slightly better tolerated, and patients did better when discontinuing the drug.

Is it better to take Lexapro in the morning or at night?

You can take escitalopram at any time of day, as long as you stick to the same time every day. If you have trouble sleeping, it’s best to take it

in the morning

.

Is it OK to not take Lexapro?

Missing doses of escitalopram

may increase your risk for relapse in your symptoms

. Stopping escitalopram abruptly may result in one or more of the following withdrawal symptoms: irritability, nausea, feeling dizzy, vomiting, nightmares, headache, and/or paresthesias (prickling, tingling sensation on the skin).

Can Lexapro make you feel weird?

Lexapro (escitalopram) can

cause very low sodium levels in your blood

. Tell your healtcare provider right away if you experience weakness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, headache or memory problems.

Is Paxil bad for your heart?

On December 8, 2005, the FDA alerted health care professionals and patients about preliminary test results of studies for Paxil (paroxetine) suggesting that the

drug increases the risk for birth defects

, particularly heart defects, when women take Paxil during the first trimester.

How do you know if Paxil is working?


Sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first 1-2 weeks

. Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working. Depressed mood and lack of interest in activities may need up to 6-8 weeks to fully improve.

What are the dangers of taking Paxil?


Nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, weakness, dry mouth, sweating, blurred vision, and yawning may occur

. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Does PARoxetine calm you down?

It’s often used to treat depression and also sometimes for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic attacks, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Paroxetine

helps many people recover from depression

, and it has fewer unwanted effects than older antidepressants.

Is 20 mg of PARoxetine a lot?

Immediate-release oral tablets (Paxil, Pexeva): The typical starting dose is

20 mg per day

. If a 20-mg dose is not enough, your doctor will start increasing your dose each week by 10 mg per day. Your maximum daily dose shouldn’t exceed 50 mg per day.

What antidepressant helps with anxiety and sleep?

  • Citalopram (Celexa)
  • Fluoxetine (Prozac)
  • Paroxetine (Paxil)
  • Sertraline (Zoloft)
Rebecca Patel
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Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.