Sertraline oral tablet vs. Lexapro: A detailed guide

This article explains how sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro are similar and different. You can view detailed articles about sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro if you’d like more information about these drugs.

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Uses of sertraline and Lexapro

Here’s a summary of sertraline oral tablet’s and Lexapro’s approved uses:

If you’d like to know more about taking either medication for your condition, ask your doctor. They can recommend whether sertraline oral tablet or Lexapro is an option to consider.

Questions about sertraline and Lexapro

Below, you’ll find answers to some common questions about sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro.

Is it safe to switch from Lexapro to sertraline?

Yes, it’s safe to switch from Lexapro to sertraline oral tablet, if recommended by your doctor. Both these drugs belong to a group of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Your doctor may want to switch you from one SSRI to another for a few reasons, such as if:

• you’re having side effects that are bothersome or don’t go away
• your symptoms aren’t improving over time

Keep in mind, it can take a few weeks to see the full effect of an antidepressant. Also, your doctor may increase your dosage over time based on how your condition responds to a treatment.

If cost is a concern with treatment, talk with your pharmacist or doctor. Lexapro is a brand-name medication, but it also comes as the generic medication escitalopram. See the “Generic versions” section below to learn more.

There are several ways to switch from one antidepressant to another safely. Ask your doctor about the best option for you. You’ll need to follow your doctor’s instructions closely when switching.

If you have questions about switching from Lexapro to sertraline oral tablet, talk with your doctor. They can discuss the pros and cons of each drug. In some cases, your doctor may decide to switch you to a different type of antidepressant instead.

How do Lexapro and sertraline compare with other similar drugs?

Lexapro and sertraline oral tablet belong to the same group of drugs. Both are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Several other SSRIs are available, including:

• citalopram (Celexa)
• fluoxetine (Prozac)
• fluvoxamine (Luvox)
• paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR)

Serotonin is a chemical involved in many body functions, including mood. Certain drugs, including SSRIs, can affect levels of serotonin in the body. This may help treat certain mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety.

Overall, SSRIs are fairly similar in how well they work and the types of side effects they have. But they may be approved for different uses. And they may have other differences, such as whether they’re approved for use in children.

Some people may find that their condition responds better to one SSRI than another. Or they may tolerate one SSRI better than another.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about how Lexapro, sertraline oral tablet, and other SSRIs compare. Your doctor may prefer one medication over the other. Also check whether your insurance plan covers only one medication or the other.

Between sertraline and Lexapro, is one a better treatment for anxiety?

Doctors may prescribe either sertraline oral tablet or Lexapro to treat certain types of anxiety. But these drugs are approved for different uses.

Specifically, sertraline oral tablet is approved for conditions including social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Lexapro is approved for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). In studies, sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro were effective for each of these purposes.

Anxiety may also be a symptom of mental health or medical conditions, such as major depressive disorder. Both sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro are approved to treat depression.

In general, either sertraline oral tablet or Lexapro may be used for common anxiety conditions. You may find that you respond better to one or the other for treating anxiety. It may take some trial and error to find which drug works best for your anxiety. Keep in mind that your results from taking sertraline oral tablet or Lexapro may differ from those seen in studies.

That said, these medications differ in some ways. For instance, they may be used in different age groups and have different dosages.

Your doctor can help determine whether one drug is better for your condition. They’ll recommend this based on your specific needs and health factors. Talk with your doctor if you’d like to learn more about which drug is right for you.

Side effects of sertraline and Lexapro

Sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro may cause mild or serious side effects. Some of the more common mild side effects of each drug are listed below. Serious side effects of sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro are also listed.

Keep in mind that your side effects may differ from those listed below. They can vary based on your overall health, any other medications you take, and your age.

This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of these medications. To find more information, you can view the prescribing information for sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro. You can also check out these articles about sertraline oral tablet side effects and Lexapro side effects.

Mild side effects

Below are some of the mild side effects reported with sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro:

* An allergic reaction is possible with sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro. This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of Lexapro. But it has occurred in people after the drug was approved for use.

Serious side effects

Below are some examples of serious side effects reported with sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro:

* An allergic reaction is possible with sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro. This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of Lexapro. But it has occurred in people after the drug was approved for use.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Warnings for sertraline and Lexapro” section below.

With a lot of drugs, serious side effects are possible, but they’re not common. If you have serious side effects from sertraline oral tablet or Lexapro, call your doctor right away. If your symptoms are severe or you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Cost of sertraline and Lexapro

As with the cost of other medications, the cost of sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro can vary. Their price may be affected by:

• whether they’re covered by health insurance, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy they’re purchased from
• the supply you’re prescribed, such as 30 days or 90 days

Coupons and cost savings

To view drug prices when Optum Perks coupons are applied, see this coupon page for sertraline oral tablet and this coupon page for Lexapro. You can also check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

The options described in this article may also help you save on your prescription.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Generic versions

Below is information about brand-name and generic versions of sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.) Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.

Here’s a summary about generics and brand-name versions of sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro:

If your doctor prescribed sertraline oral tablet or Lexapro, but you’d like to know about taking the generic or brand-name version of either drug, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They can help determine which version is right for you.

Dosage of sertraline and Lexapro

Below is dosage information for the conditions that both sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro are prescribed to treat. To find detailed dosage information for all conditions that sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro treat, see these articles about sertraline oral tablet dosage and Lexapro dosage.

Below are dosages provided by the drugmakers of sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro. If your doctor prescribes either medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. They’ll advise the dosage that’s best for your condition. Do not adjust your dosage without first talking with your doctor.

Sertraline oral tablet’s dosage

Below is a summary of sertraline oral tablet’s recommended dosages in adults. Strength is measured in milligrams (mg).

Lexapro’s dosage

Below is a summary of Lexapro’s recommended dosages in adults and children. Strength is measured in milligrams (mg).

Warnings for sertraline and Lexapro

Some medications may not be recommended for you if you have certain factors affecting your health. These are referred to as a drug’s warnings.

Sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro should not be taken or should be taken cautiously by certain people.

Warnings for sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro are summarized below. Before taking either medication, talk with your doctor about your health conditions, past surgeries, and any medications you take. Your doctor can recommend whether either drug is safe for you.

Boxed warning for sertraline and Lexapro: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro each have a boxed warning about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In studies of antidepressants, such as sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro, there was a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults ages 24 years and younger. This side effect was uncommon, but it may be serious. The risk may be higher during the first few months of starting treatment or after any dosage changes.

Symptoms of suicidal thoughts and behaviors may include:

• new or worsening depression
• new or worsening anxiety or panic attacks
• feeling agitated, irritable, or restless
• trouble sleeping
• thoughts about suicide or dying
• attempts of suicide
• acting on dangerous impulses

It’s unknown whether the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors lasts long term in children and young adults. But in adults with depression, long-term treatment with antidepressants helps prevent depression from occurring again. Depression or other serious mental conditions can also cause suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

Keep in mind, sertraline oral tablet is only approved for use in children to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The drug is used for this purpose in children ages 6 years and older. Lexapro is approved to treat major depressive disorder in children ages 12 years and older and generalized anxiety disorder in children ages 7 years and older.

To learn more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Suicide prevention

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

• Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
• 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 are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Other warnings

Warnings for sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro are summarized in the table below:

You can view more detailed articles about sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro if you’d like to know more about warnings for these drugs. You can also view the prescribing information for sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro.

What to ask a doctor

If you’re trying to decide whether sertraline oral tablet or Lexapro is better for you, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the best option.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How do costs of sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro compare?
• Is sertraline oral tablet or Lexapro a better choice for treating my condition?
• How do side effects differ between sertraline oral tablet and Lexapro?
• Can sertraline oral tablet or Lexapro interact with other medications I take?
• Do I have any health factors that make sertraline oral tablet or Lexapro a better fit?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.