TWO anti-depressant drugs, Lexapro (Escitalopram) and Celexa (Citalopram), are close ‘relatives’ in terms of their chemistry and a comparison between their respective efficacies would therefore be interesting. Lexapro is the newest member of the SSRI family of drugs and Celexa could be considered its precursor. The difference between Lexapro and Celexa is essentially a difference in their chemical composition. Celexa is a combination of two equal parts known as S- and R-enantiomer. However, R-enantiomer was found to be of no use in the anti-depressant role of Celexa, it was removed from the combination, leaving only the S-enantiomer/S-isomer. This split led to the formulation of Lexapro, the newest member of the SSRI family of drugs.
THERE are many drugs available in the US market for the treatment of depression. Two widely used drugs are: Lexapro (escitalopram) and Paxil (paroxetine). A number of studies have been conducted to compare the usefulness of these two drugs. Overall, it has been observed that Lexapro scores over Paxil in the matters of efficacy and tolerance in the treatment of both depression and generalized anxiety disorders (GADs). Lexapro and Paxil belong to the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) family of drugs that are used in the treatment of depression and generalized anxiety disorders. They help restore the serotonin balance in the brain (serotonin is the mood-influencing neurotransmitter in the central nervous system) and thus help the patient feel better. Let’s look at the differences and similarities between Lexapro and Paxil:
AS a thumb rule, all kinds of medication are best avoided during pregnancy. Yet, there are conditions of the mother that call for medication. One such condition is: depression and general anxiety. One anti-depressant that has proved to be very successful in the treatment of such conditions is: Lexapro. This is the newest member of the Seletive Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) family of drugs. However, it should be remembered that Lexapro is a pregnancy category ‘C’ medicine. This means it should be prescribed to pregnant women only if the benefits outweigh the risks to the newborn. |