Compare Lexapro vs Sertraline

Compare Lexapro

vs Sertraline

Compare Lexapro to Sertraline. To make a decision about Lexapro vs Sertraline, click here for a Medication Risk Map to help you select Lexapro or Sertraline

Click here for Drug Interactions and Side Effects of Lexapro.
Click here for Drug Interactions and Side Effects of Sertraline.
Click here to see the effects of combining Lexapro and Sertraline.

Uses of Lexapro

Lexapro is also known by the generic name Escitalopram USES: Escitalopram is an antidepressant (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor-SSRI) used to treat depression and anxiety. It works by restoring the balance of certain natural substances (neurotransmitters such as serotonin) in the brain. Escitalopram may improve your feelings of well-being and energy level and decrease nervousness.

Uses of Sertraline

USES:
Sertraline is used to treat depression, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), and a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).

This medication may improve your mood, sleep, appetite, and energy level and may help restore your interest in daily living. It may decrease fear, anxiety, unwanted thoughts, and the number of panic attacks. It may also reduce the urge to perform repeated tasks (compulsions such as hand-washing, counting, and checking) that interfere with daily living. Sertraline is known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It works by helping to restore the balance of a certain natural substance (serotonin) in the brain.

Lexapro and Sertraline Have 8 Life Threatening (Major) Side Effects in Common

Critical Seriousness - Extrapyramidal Reaction - Extrapyramidal Disease is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Lexapro and Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Hemorrhage is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Lexapro and Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Behaving with Excessive Cheerfulness and Activity - Manic Disorder is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Lexapro and Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Lexapro and Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Serotonin Syndrome - Adverse Drug Interaction - Serotonin Syndrome is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Lexapro and Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Low Amount of Sodium in the Blood - Hyponatremia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Lexapro and Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Having Thoughts of Suicide - Suicidal Ideation is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Lexapro and Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Bleeding of the Stomach or Intestines - Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Lexapro and Sertraline.

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Life Threatening Side Effects associated with Lexapro and Sertraline.

Lexapro Has 25 Life Threatening (Major) Side Effects Not Found in Sertraline

Critical Seriousness - Slow Heartbeat - Bradycardia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Blood Clot in a Deep Vein - Deep Venous Thrombosis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Hallucination - Hallucinations is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Heart Attack - Myocardial Infarction is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Prolonged Q-T Interval on EKG - Prolonged QT Interval is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion - SIADH Syndrome is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Decreased Blood Platelets - Thrombocytopenic Disorder is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Mental Disorder with Loss of Normal Personality & Reality - Psychotic Disorder is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Abnormally Low Blood Pressure - Hypotension is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Acute Inflammation of the Pancreas - Acute Pancreatitis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Seizures - Seizure Disorder is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - High Blood Pressure - Hypertension is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Very Rapid Heartbeat - Torsades de Pointes - Torsades de Pointes is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Hepatitis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Involuntary Quivering - Tremors is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Giant Hives - Angioedema is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Atrial Fibrillation is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Aggressive Behavior is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Blood Clot in Lung - Pulmonary Thromboembolism is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Kidney Failure - Renal Failure is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Inflammation of the Lining of the Stomach and Intestines - Gastroenteritis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Rapid Ventricular Heartbeat - Ventricular Tachycardia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Serious Muscle Damage that may Lead to Kidney Failure - Rhabdomyolysis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Life Threatening Side Effects associated with Lexapro and Sertraline.

Sertraline Has 17 Life Threatening (Major) Side Effects Not Found in Lexapro

Critical Seriousness - Sexual Problems - Abnormal Sexual Function is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Itching - Pruritus of Skin is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Nosebleed - Epistaxis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Abnormal Liver Function Tests - Abnormal Hepatic Function Tests is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Heart Throbbing or Pounding - Palpitations is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Mild Degree of Mania - Hypomania is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Inflammation of Skin caused by an Allergy - Allergic Dermatitis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - A Feeling of Restlessness with Inability to Sit Still - Akathisia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Fever is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Discharge of Milk in Men or Women when Not Breastfeeding - Galactorrhea not associated with Childbirth is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Hives - Urticaria is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Altered Interest in Having Sexual Intercourse - Libido Changes is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Hepatitis caused by Drugs - Drug-Induced Hepatitis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Inability to have an Erection - Erectile Dysfunction is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Reaction due to an Allergy - Allergic Reactions is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Breast Tenderness - Mastalgia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Critical Seriousness - Rash - Skin Rash is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Life Threatening Side Effects associated with Lexapro and Sertraline.

Lexapro and Sertraline Have 7 Most Frequently Occurring Side Effects in Common

Dizzy - Dizziness is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of both Lexapro and Sertraline.

Feel Like Throwing Up - Nausea is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of both Lexapro and Sertraline.

Chronic Trouble Sleeping - Insomnia is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of both Lexapro and Sertraline.

Diarrhea is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of both Lexapro and Sertraline.

Dry Mouth - Xerostomia is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of both Lexapro and Sertraline.

Excessive Sweating - Hyperhidrosis is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of both Lexapro and Sertraline.

Low Energy - Fatigue is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of both Lexapro and Sertraline.

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Side Effects associated with Lexapro and Sertraline.

Lexapro Has 3 Most Frequently Occurring Side Effects Not Found in Sertraline

Incomplete or Infrequent Bowel Movements - Constipation is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Problem with Ejaculation - Disorder of Ejaculation is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Inability to have an Erection - Erectile Dysfunction is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Lexapro but not Sertraline.

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Side Effects associated with Lexapro and Sertraline.

Sertraline Has 11 Most Frequently Occurring Side Effects Not Found in Sertraline

Sexual Problems - Abnormal Sexual Function is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Sertraline but not Lexapro.

Head Pain - Headache Disorder is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Sertraline but not Lexapro.

Drowsiness - Drowsy is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Sertraline but not Lexapro.

Loss of Appetite - Anorexia is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Sertraline but not Lexapro.

Feeling Weak - General Weakness is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Sertraline but not Lexapro.

Gas - Flatulence is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Sertraline but not Lexapro.

Involuntary Quivering - Tremors is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Sertraline but not Lexapro.

Altered Interest in Having Sexual Intercourse - Libido Changes is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Sertraline but not Lexapro.

Inability to have an Erection - Erectile Dysfunction is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Sertraline but not Lexapro.

Weight Loss is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Sertraline but not Lexapro.

Stomach Cramps - Abdominal Pain with Cramps is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Sertraline but not Lexapro.

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Side Effects associated with Lexapro and Sertraline.

Lexapro and Sertraline Treat 8 Conditions in Common

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is treated by both Lexapro and Sertraline.

Panic Disorder is treated by both Lexapro and Sertraline.

Posttraumatic Stress Syndrome - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is treated by both Lexapro and Sertraline.

Bipolar Depression - Depression associated with Manic Depressive Disorder is treated by both Lexapro and Sertraline.

Lexapro has 13 Condition Contraindications

If you have any of these Conditions then you should carefully evaluate the risks of taking Lexapro.

Lexapro Oral Contraindications
(grouped by decreasing seriousness level)

Relative Contraindications

Hyponatremia - Low Amount of Sodium in the Blood is a contraindication of Lexapro.

Suicidal Ideation - Having Thoughts of Suicide is a contraindication of Lexapro.

Upper GI Bleed - Bleeding from Stomach, Esophagus or Duodenum is a contraindication of Lexapro.

Contraindication Warnings

Bipolar Disorder - Manic-Depression is a contraindication of Lexapro.

Cardiac Disease - Heart Disease is a contraindication of Lexapro.

Disease of Liver - Liver Problems is a contraindication of Lexapro.

Epilepsy - Epileptic Seizure is a contraindication of Lexapro.

Increased Risk of Bleeding is a contraindication of Lexapro.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome is a contraindication of Lexapro.

Recovery Phase Following Myocardial Infarct - Recent Heart Attack is a contraindication of Lexapro.

SIADH Syndrome - Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion is a contraindication of Lexapro.

Serotonin Syndrome - Serotonin Syndrome - Adverse Drug Interaction is a contraindication of Lexapro.

Severe Renal Disease - Serious Kidney Problems is a contraindication of Lexapro.

Sertraline has 13 Condition Contraindications

If you have any of these Conditions then you should carefully evaluate the risks of taking Sertraline.

Sertraline Oral Contraindications
(grouped by decreasing seriouosness level)

Relative Contraindications

Bipolar Disorder - Manic-Depression is a contraindication of Sertraline.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome is a contraindication of Sertraline.

Serotonin Syndrome - Serotonin Syndrome - Adverse Drug Interaction is a contraindication of Sertraline.

Suicidal Ideation - Having Thoughts of Suicide is a contraindication of Sertraline.

Upper GI Bleed - Bleeding from Stomach, Esophagus or Duodenum is a contraindication of Sertraline.

Contraindication Warnings

Disease of Liver - Liver Problems is a contraindication of Sertraline.

Hypomania - Mild Degree of Mania is a contraindication of Sertraline.

Hyponatremia - Low Amount of Sodium in the Blood is a contraindication of Sertraline.

Increased Risk of Bleeding is a contraindication of Sertraline.

Manic Disorder - Behaving with Excessive Cheerfulness and Activity is a contraindication of Sertraline.

SIADH Syndrome - Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion is a contraindication of Sertraline.

Seizure Disorder - Seizures is a contraindication of Sertraline.

Weight Loss is a contraindication of Sertraline.

Lexapro - Symptoms of overdose may include
If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Sertraline - Symptoms of overdose may include
severe dizziness, fainting.

Contact poison control
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.