Lexapro and Zoloft can both treat depression and other mental health conditions. Doctors also prescribe Lexapro for generalized anxiety disorder and Zoloft for other mental health conditions, including panic disorder.
With all the different depression and anxiety medications on the market, it can be hard to know which drug is which. Lexapro and Zoloft are two of the more commonly prescribed medications for mood disorders such as depression.
These medications are a type of antidepressant called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs work by increasing levels of serotonin, a substance in your brain that helps maintain your mood.
Read on to learn more about the similarities and differences between Lexapro (escitalopram) and Zoloft (sertraline).
Lexapro is prescribed
The table below compares the conditions each drug is approved to treat.
| Condition | Zoloft | Lexapro |
|---|---|---|
| depression | X | X |
| generalized anxiety disorder | X | |
| obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) | X | |
| panic disorder | X | |
| post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) | X | |
| social anxiety disorder | X | |
| premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) | X |
The table below compares other key aspects of Zoloft and Lexapro.
| Brand name | Zoloft | Lexapro |
|---|---|---|
| What is the generic drug? | sertraline | escitalopram |
| What forms does it come in? | oral tablet, oral solution | oral tablet, oral solution |
| What strengths does it come in? | tablet: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg; solution: 20 mg/mL | tablet: 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg; solution: 1 mg/mL |
| Who can take it? | people 18 years and older* | people 12 years and older |
| What is the dosage? | determined by your doctor | determined by your doctor |
| What is the typical length of treatment? | long-term | long-term |
| How do I store this drug? | room temperature away from excess heat or moisture | room temperature away from excess heat or moisture |
| Is there a risk of withdrawal from this drug? | yes† | yes† |
*Except for treating OCD
† If you’ve been taking this drug for longer than a few weeks, do not stop taking it without talking with your doctor. They’ll guide you in tapering off the drug slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Both medications are available in most pharmacies in brand-name and generic versions. Generics are generally cheaper than brand-name products. At the time this article was written, the prices for the brand-name and generic versions of Zoloft were slightly cheaper than those of Lexapro, according to GoodRx.com.
Health insurance plans typically cover antidepressant medications such as Lexapro and Zoloft but may prefer you take the generic forms.
The charts below list examples of side effects of Lexapro and Zoloft. Because Lexapro and Zoloft are both SSRIs, they share many of the same side effects.
| Common side effects | ||
|---|---|---|
| nausea | X | X |
| sleepiness | X | X |
| weakness | X | X |
| dizziness | X | X |
| anxiety | X | X |
| sleeping trouble | X | X |
| sexual problems | X | X |
| sweating | X | X |
| shaking | X | X |
| loss of appetite | X | X |
| dry mouth | X | X |
| constipation | X | |
| respiratory infections | X | X |
| yawning | X | X |
| diarrhea | X | X |
| indigestion | X | X |
| Serious side effects | Lexapro | Zoloft |
|---|---|---|
| suicidal actions or thoughts | X | X |
| serotonin syndrome* | X | X |
| severe allergic reactions | X | X |
| abnormal bleeding | X | X |
| seizures or convulsions | X | X |
| manic episodes | X | X |
| weight gain or loss | X | X |
| low sodium (salt) levels in the blood | X | X |
| eye problems** | X | X |
*Serotonin syndrome is a condition that can occur when the levels of serotonin, a chemical produced by your body, become too high. Serotonin syndrome can be life threatening.
**Eye problems can include blurry vision, double vision, dry eyes, and pressure in the eyes.
Keep reading: Managing sexual side effects from antidepressants
A concern that many people have about taking antidepressants is weight gain. It’s true that many antidepressants can cause weight gain, but some drugs are thought to cause less weight gain than others. Lexapro and Zoloft are two antidepressants that may cause less weight gain. If you’re concerned about this effect of taking an antidepressant, talk with your doctor.
The drug interactions of Lexapro and Zoloft are very similar. Before starting Lexapro or Zoloft, tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you take, especially if they’re listed below. This information can help your doctor prevent possible interactions.
The chart below compares examples of drugs that can interact with Lexapro or Zoloft.
| Interacting drugs | Lexapro | Zoloft |
|---|---|---|
| monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as selegiline and phenelzine | X | X |
| pimozide | X | X |
| blood thinners such as warfarin and aspirin | X | X |
| nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen | X | X |
| lithium | X | X |
| antidepressants such as amitriptyline and venlafaxine | X | X |
| anti-anxiety drugs such as buspirone and duloxetine | X | X |
| medications for mental illness such as aripiprazole and risperidone | X | X |
| antiseizure drugs such as phenytoin and carbamazepine | X | X |
| medications for migraine headaches such as sumatriptan and ergotamine | X | X |
| sleeping medications such as zolpidem | X | X |
| metoprolol | X | X |
| disulfiram | X* | |
| medications for irregular heartbeat such as amiodarone and sotalol | X | X |
*interacts if you’re taking the liquid form of Zoloft
Conditions of concern
Lexapro and Zoloft contain many of the same warnings for use with other medical conditions.
For example, you should talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Research in animals has shown adverse effects on the fetus if you take either of these drugs. There haven’t been enough studies in humans to be certain of how Lexapro or Zoloft might affect the fetus. You should only take these drugs if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk.
The chart below lists other medical conditions you should discuss with your doctor before taking Lexapro or Zoloft.
| Medical conditions to discuss with your doctor | Lexapro | Zoloft |
|---|---|---|
| Liver problems | X | X |
| seizure disorder | X | X |
| bipolar disorder | X | X |
| kidney problems | X |
Risk of suicide
Both Lexapro and Zoloft raise the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults. In fact, Zoloft is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment in children younger than 18 years, except for OCD treatment. Lexapro is not approved for use in children younger than 12 years.
For more information, read about antidepressant use and the risk of suicide.
Possible withdrawal
You should not suddenly stop treatment with an SSRI such as Lexapro or Zoloft. Stopping these medications suddenly
- flu-like symptoms
- agitation
- dizziness
- confusion
- headache
- anxiety
- sleeping trouble
If you need to stop one of these medications, talk with your doctor. They will slowly decrease your dosage to help prevent withdrawal symptoms.
For more information, read about the dangers of abruptly stopping an antidepressant.
To learn more about how Lexapro and Zoloft are alike and different, talk with your doctor. They’ll be able to tell you if one of these drugs, or a different drug, could help you with your mental health condition.
Some questions that might be helpful to ask your doctor include:
- How long will it take before I feel the benefits of this medication?
- What is the appropriate time of day for me to take this medication?
- Which side effects should I expect from this medication, and will they go away?
You and your doctor can work together to find a drug that’s right for you. To learn about other medication options, check out this article on the different types of antidepressants.