Prozac vs Lexapro: Which Is Best for You

Prozac vs Lexapro: Differences and Similarities

Prozac and Lexapro are both antidepressants that are effective at treating depression and anxiety. Despite their similarities, there are some differences in them that might mean one is better for you than the other. 

Whenever taking medication, it’s important to do so only under the supervision and guidance of a Psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health and can diagnose and prescribe and manage medication for mental health disorders. 

What to know more about different antidepressants? Read our guide to antidepressants here. 

Prozac: Quick Facts

• Prozac is the brand name for a medicine called fluoxetine. 
• It is taken via an immediate-release pill, delayed-release pill, or a liquid
• The immediate-release pill and liquid are taken once or twice daily
• The delayed-release pill is taken weekly. 
• Prozac takes a few weeks to begin working. 

What It Treats

Prozac is the more versatile of the two medicines, frequently prescribed to treat anxiety and panic disorders as well as depression. This makes it a good option for people with comorbid disorders. Doctors prescribe Prozac to treat: 

• Major depressive disorder (MDD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Panic disorder (PD)
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
• Bulimia  
• Bipolar Disorder
• Social anxiety disorder
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Side Effects

Both Prozac and Lexapro have many shared side effects. Prozac has these side effects:

• Anxiety
• Headache, confusion, weakness  
• Difficulty concentrating, or memory problems
• Unusual dreams
• Excessive sweating
• Sexual problems, including decreased libido in men and women
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Dry mouth
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Heartburn

Prozac can also make people more energetic. This is an added bonus to some people, but others find it makes their anxiety worse. 

Lexapro: Quick Facts

• Lexapro is the brand name for escitalopram. 
• It can be taken as a tablet or a liquid. 
• Lexapro is usually taken once a day. 
• It usually takes a few weeks to work, but some people begin to feel the positive effects sooner, making it possibly a faster-acting option than Prozac.

What It Treats

• Major depressive disorder (MDD)  
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)  
• Social anxiety disorder
• OCD
• Panic disorder
• PTSD
• PMDD

Side Effects

• Constipation
• Drowsiness
• Shaking
• Dizziness
• Increased sweating
• Sexual problems, including decreased libido in men and women
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Dry mouth
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Heartburn

Which One Is Better, Lexapro or Prozac?

Every person’s body will respond differently to different medications. Sometimes, you don’t know which one is better until you try them. That is one of the many reasons why working with a psychiatrist is very important when taking medications for your mental health. Some side effects are normal, especially when you’re first starting and your body hasn’t adjusted to the medication. However, some side effects are abnormal and potentially dangerous. Always communicate all of your side effects to your psychiatrist, so they can change your medication and get you on something better. 

In general, neither Lexapro nor Prozac are better or worse than the other. Because Lexapro tends to act faster than Prozac, that might be ideal for someone who needs quicker relief from depression symptoms. Prozac’s energizing factor may be important to someone who especially suffers from the low energy of depression, but may be a limiting factor for someone who has restless anxiety. 

Talk to a medication manager to learn which medication would be right for you. 

How Do Lexapro and Prozac Work?

Both Lexapro and Prozac are SSRIs, which stand for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. SSRIs work to increase the levels of serotonin in your brain. One of the potential causes of depression and anxiety is low levels of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that helps control your mood. It also has a big influence on your sleep, pain sensitivity, well-being, and sexual desire. 

How to Get Prescribed Lexapro or Prozac

To get prescribed with Lexapro or Prozac, there are three steps:

1. Get diagnosed with depression, anxiety, or a mental health condition. Most psychiatrists will only give medication to those with a diagnosed health condition. You can get diagnosed by meeting with a therapist, psychiatrist, or primary care physician. (Although a PCP may not be able to diagnose all mental health conditions.)
2. Talk to a psychiatrist or a primary care physician. Therapists can’t prescribe medication, so you’ll have to see a Psychiatrist or your PCP. A Psychiatrist has special training in managing medication for mental health and will likely have more extensive and specific knowledge to help you. 
3. Manage your medication with a Psychiatrist or PCP. It’s important to check in every few months with your provider about how you’re feeling. If your symptoms haven’t improved or if you have a large amount of side effects, your psychiatrist may increase your dose or switch you to a different medication. Sometimes medication for mental health requires a trial period in which you try two or three before finding the one that really helped you. This is normal and not a sign that you are broken or hopeless. People’s bodies respond differently to different medications. Be patient and communicate well with your psychiatrist or PCP for the best results. 

Lifebub has psychiatrists who can diagnose and treat mental health disorders. If you think Lexapro or Prozac could be helpful to you, contact our support team to be matched with a therapist near you. Alternatively, you could browse our list of therapists and psychiatrists to find one that fits your needs. 

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