Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMain DifferencesUsesWhich Is More Effective?Side EffectsSafety PrecautionsDrug InteractionsWhich One Should You Take?How to Talk to Your Provider About Treatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Main Differences
Uses
Which Is More Effective?
Side Effects
Safety Precautions
Drug Interactions
Which One Should You Take?
How to Talk to Your Provider About Treatment
While they share many similarities, they differ in various aspects that can influence their effectiveness and suitability for different individuals.
Choosing between Paxil vs. Lexapro involves evaluating various factors. Communicating your concerns and treatment goals with your healthcare provider is beneficial. Ultimately, treatment plans are personalized to each individual and should be a decision that you and your provider reach together.
Getty Images /Joe Raedle/ Staff
Help Is AvailableIf you are experiencing symptoms of depression, talk to your healthcare provider. If you or someone you know is in a suicidal crisis or emotional distress, you can call or text988for the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.The line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the United States, and provides free, confidential support. Call911or go to the nearest emergency room if you or someone you know is in a life-threatening crisis.
Help Is Available
If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, talk to your healthcare provider. If you or someone you know is in a suicidal crisis or emotional distress, you can call or text988for the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.The line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the United States, and provides free, confidential support. Call911or go to the nearest emergency room if you or someone you know is in a life-threatening crisis.
If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, talk to your healthcare provider. If you or someone you know is in a suicidal crisis or emotional distress, you can call or text988for the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
The line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the United States, and provides free, confidential support. Call911or go to the nearest emergency room if you or someone you know is in a life-threatening crisis.
Paxil
Approved uses:
Off-label uses:
Lexapro
For Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Paxil and Lexapro belong to the same medication class known asSSRIs.
A study comparing the two medications found both similarly effective for MDD. However, in people who were severely depressed, Lexapro was shown to be more effective when compared to the group who was taking Paxil.
For Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
In another study completed for individuals with GAD, Lexapro was also shown to be better tolerated and more effective than Paxil. Lexapro showed a greater improvement in anxiety symptoms using theHamilton Anxiety Rating Scale.
What to Know Before Starting Your MedicationWhen starting on either medication, be patient as your body adjusts. Both Paxil and Lexapro can take up to a few weeks to reach their full effect.Talk to your healthcare provider about other treatment options if you feel as though your medication isn’t improving your symptoms. Do not suddenly stop taking your medication, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms.
What to Know Before Starting Your Medication
When starting on either medication, be patient as your body adjusts. Both Paxil and Lexapro can take up to a few weeks to reach their full effect.Talk to your healthcare provider about other treatment options if you feel as though your medication isn’t improving your symptoms. Do not suddenly stop taking your medication, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms.
When starting on either medication, be patient as your body adjusts. Both Paxil and Lexapro can take up to a few weeks to reach their full effect.
Talk to your healthcare provider about other treatment options if you feel as though your medication isn’t improving your symptoms. Do not suddenly stop taking your medication, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms.
Since Paxil and Lexapro are in the same medication class, they share many similar side effects. A list of common side effects that can occur with either medication is:
While both Paxil and Lexapro share certain side effects, some differentiating side effects include both mild and potentially severe reactions.
Lexapro can sometimes cause weight loss orlow sodium levels, particularly in older adults, and heart rhythm changes, which are rare but serious.
Paxil is commonly associated with more significant weight gain when compared to Lexapro, low blood pressure upon standing, and more severity in withdrawal symptoms if not tapered off gradually.
Important precautions to be aware of include:
When deciding between Paxil or Lexapro, several factors influence which medication may be prescribed. A list of factors that healthcare providers may consider include:
Although weight gain is possible with the use of SSRIs, it is more common in Paxil than in Lexapro and should be considered when choosing between the two. Let your healthcare provider know if this is something that concerns you.
Discussing mental health with your healthcare provider can feel daunting, but it is an important step in finding the right treatment plan and medication for you. Know that your healthcare provider is there to support you and your well-being.
Here are some tips to help guide your conversation:
Being open and honest is crucial so your provider can understand your concerns, symptoms, and treatment expectations to offer the best possible care and therapy.
Summary
In the search to find the right medication for you, understanding the differences between Paxil and Lexapro can empower you to make informed decisions about your treatment. While both medications are effective for treating conditions like depression and anxiety, one may be more suitable for you than the other based on the differences in side effects, potential for withdrawal, and drug interactions.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.DailyMed.Lexapro label.DailyMed.Paxil label.Horowitz MA, Framer A, Hengartner MP, et al.Estimating risk of antidepressant withdrawal from a review of published data.CNS Drugs. 2023;37(2):143-157. doi:10.1007/s40263-022-00960-yDailyMed.Label: Paxil CR- paroxetine hydrochloride tablet, film coated, extended release.PDR.Paxil.PDR.Lexapro.Sanchez C, Reines EH, Montgomery SA.A comparative review of escitalopram, paroxetine, and sertraline: are they all alike?Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2014;29(4):185-196. doi:10.1097/YIC.0000000000000023Kong W, Deng H, Wan J, et al.Comparative remission rates and tolerability of drugs for generalised anxiety disorder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of double-blind randomized controlled trials.Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:580858. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.580858
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.DailyMed.Lexapro label.DailyMed.Paxil label.Horowitz MA, Framer A, Hengartner MP, et al.Estimating risk of antidepressant withdrawal from a review of published data.CNS Drugs. 2023;37(2):143-157. doi:10.1007/s40263-022-00960-yDailyMed.Label: Paxil CR- paroxetine hydrochloride tablet, film coated, extended release.PDR.Paxil.PDR.Lexapro.Sanchez C, Reines EH, Montgomery SA.A comparative review of escitalopram, paroxetine, and sertraline: are they all alike?Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2014;29(4):185-196. doi:10.1097/YIC.0000000000000023Kong W, Deng H, Wan J, et al.Comparative remission rates and tolerability of drugs for generalised anxiety disorder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of double-blind randomized controlled trials.Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:580858. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.580858
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
DailyMed.Lexapro label.DailyMed.Paxil label.Horowitz MA, Framer A, Hengartner MP, et al.Estimating risk of antidepressant withdrawal from a review of published data.CNS Drugs. 2023;37(2):143-157. doi:10.1007/s40263-022-00960-yDailyMed.Label: Paxil CR- paroxetine hydrochloride tablet, film coated, extended release.PDR.Paxil.PDR.Lexapro.Sanchez C, Reines EH, Montgomery SA.A comparative review of escitalopram, paroxetine, and sertraline: are they all alike?Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2014;29(4):185-196. doi:10.1097/YIC.0000000000000023Kong W, Deng H, Wan J, et al.Comparative remission rates and tolerability of drugs for generalised anxiety disorder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of double-blind randomized controlled trials.Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:580858. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.580858
DailyMed.Lexapro label.
DailyMed.Paxil label.
Horowitz MA, Framer A, Hengartner MP, et al.Estimating risk of antidepressant withdrawal from a review of published data.CNS Drugs. 2023;37(2):143-157. doi:10.1007/s40263-022-00960-y
DailyMed.Label: Paxil CR- paroxetine hydrochloride tablet, film coated, extended release.
PDR.Paxil.
PDR.Lexapro.
Sanchez C, Reines EH, Montgomery SA.A comparative review of escitalopram, paroxetine, and sertraline: are they all alike?Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2014;29(4):185-196. doi:10.1097/YIC.0000000000000023
Kong W, Deng H, Wan J, et al.Comparative remission rates and tolerability of drugs for generalised anxiety disorder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of double-blind randomized controlled trials.Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:580858. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.580858
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