Lexapro and Zoloft can 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.
Various medications can treat depression and other mental health conditions. Lexapro and Zoloft are two of the more commonly prescribed medications for mood disorders such as depression.
Both medications are part of a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs increase your 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 and Zoloft.
Doctors prescribe Lexapro (escitalopram) to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). They may prescribe Zoloft (sertraline) to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and several other mental health conditions.
The table below shows the conditions that each drug is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat.
| Condition | Zoloft | Lexapro |
|---|---|---|
| major depressive disorder (MDD) | X | X |
| GAD | X | |
| OCD | X | |
| panic disorder | X | |
| post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) | X | |
| social anxiety disorder | X | |
| premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) | X |
Doctors
- social anxiety disorder
- OCD
- panic disorder
- PTSD
- PMDD
Additionally, doctors may prescribe Lexapro off-label to help manage vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause.
Doctors
- binge eating disorder
- body dysmorphic disorder
- bulimia nervosa
- GAD
- premature ejaculation
The table below compares other key aspects of Zoloft and Lexapro.
| 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 ages 18 years and older* | • For MDD: people ages 12 years and older • For GAD: people ages 7 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? | at room temperature away from excess heat or moisture | at room temperature away from excess heat or moisture |
| Is there a risk of discontinuation symptoms 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 discontinuation symptoms, some of which can be serious.
Both medications are available in most pharmacies in brand-name and generic versions. Generics are generally cheaper than brand-name drugs. According to Optum Perks, the prices for the brand-name and generic versions of Zoloft were slightly cheaper than those of Lexapro at the time this article was published.
Health insurance plans typically cover antidepressant medications such as Lexapro and Zoloft but may prefer that you take the generic form.
The tables below list examples of side effects of Lexapro and Zoloft. Because both drugs are SSRIs, they have many of the same side effects.
| Common side effects | ||
|---|---|---|
| nausea | X | X |
| sleepiness | X | X |
| weakness | X | X |
| dizziness | X | X |
| anxiety | X | X |
| trouble sleeping | 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, such as blurry vision, double vision, dry eyes, and pressure | X | X |
Serotonin syndrome
Serotonin syndrome is a condition that can happen when your levels of serotonin (a chemical produced by your body) become too high. It can be life threatening.
Antidepressants and weight gain
Many antidepressants can cause weight gain, but some drugs may cause less weight gain than others. Lexapro and Zoloft are two antidepressants that may cause less weight gain than other drugs in this class. If you’re concerned about gaining weight while taking an antidepressant, talk with your prescribing doctor.
Lexapro and Zoloft have similar drug interactions. Before starting either medication, tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and herbs you take, especially if they’re listed below. This information can help your doctor prevent possible interactions.
The table below lists examples of drugs that can interact with Lexapro or Zoloft.
| Interacting drugs | Lexapro | Zoloft |
|---|---|---|
| monoamine oxidase inhibitors, including selegiline and phenelzine | X | X |
| pimozide | X | X |
| blood thinners, including warfarin and aspirin | X | X |
| nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including ibuprofen and naproxen | X | X |
| lithium | X | X |
| antidepressants, including amitriptyline, venlafaxine, and duloxetine | X | X |
| anti-anxiety drugs, including buspirone | X | X |
| medications for mental health conditions, such as aripiprazole and risperidone | X | X |
| antiseizure drugs, such as phenytoin and carbamazepine | X | X |
| medications for migraine episodes, such as sumatriptan and ergotamine | X | X |
| sleeping medications, such as zolpidem | X | X |
| metoprolol | X | X |
| disulfiram | X (if taking the liquid form) | |
| medications for irregular heartbeat, such as amiodarone and sotalol | X | X |
Lexapro and Zoloft have many of the same warnings for use with other medical conditions.
Conditions of concern
Talk with a doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant and you’re taking either of these medications.
According to the FDA, taking SSRIs, particularly later in pregnancy, may increase the risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension and poor adaptation in newborns.
The table below lists other medical conditions you should discuss with your doctor before you take Lexapro or Zoloft.
Risk of suicide
Both Lexapro and Zoloft increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults. Zoloft is not approved by the FDA for use in children younger than 18 years, except to treat OCD. Lexapro is not approved for use in children younger than 12 years for depression or younger than 7 years for GAD.
Read more about antidepressant use and the risk of suicide.
Help is out there
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
- Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
- Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
- Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
- Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
Possible discontinuation symptoms
Suddenly stopping an SSRI such as Lexapro or Zoloft
- flu-like symptoms
- agitation
- dizziness
- confusion
- headache
- anxiety
- trouble sleeping
- seizures
Talk with your doctor if you need to stop taking one of these medications. They will usually slowly decrease your dosage to help prevent discontinuation symptoms.
Read more about the dangers of abruptly stopping an antidepressant.
To learn more about how Lexapro and Zoloft are alike and different, talk with a doctor. They’ll be able to tell you whether one of these drugs or a different drug could help with your mental health condition.
Questions that might be helpful to ask 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 works for you. If neither of these medications works for you, your doctor may recommend trying a different antidepressant.
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