What’s the Difference Between Lexapro and Cymbalta?

• Lexapro (escitalopram) along with Cymbalta (duloxetine) can be prescribed to treat anxiety and depression. disorder.
• Cymbalta can also help treat pain caused by the diabetic neuropathy and Fibromyalgia as well as chronic muscle and joint pain..
• Lexapro and Cymbalta are part of distinct drug classes. Lexapro is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibition (SSRI) as well Cymbalta (duloxetine) can be described as an selective serotonin and NOREPINHrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI).
• Some of the side consequences of Lexapro and Cymbalta that are comparable include vomiting, dry mouth, diarrhea trouble sleeping and sexual issues (decreased sexual capacity or desire and delay in ejaculation),
• The side adverse effects from Lexapro that differ from Cymbalta are restlessness or agitation blurred vision, sleepiness frequently urinating headache, stomach indigestion as well as changes in appetite. more sweating, changes in taste as well as shakes (shaking) and weight fluctuations.
• The Cymbalta side effects that differ from Lexapro include constipation dizziness, fatigue, elevated blood pressure, and seizures.
• In the event of withdrawal, symptoms could occur if you stop abruptly the use of Lexapro and Cymbalta. Signs associated with withdrawal symptoms from Lexapro are dizziness or tingling fatigue intense dreams, irritation or a low mood. Signs associated with withdrawal Cymbalta are anxiety, dizziness nausea, vomiting, irritation, nervousness, diarrhea and insomnia.

What Are Lexapro and Cymbalta?

Lexapro (escitalopram) is an selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) which is prescribed to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorders. Additional SSRIs comprise citalopram (Celexa) and the fluoxetine (Prozac) as well as paroxetine (Paxil) along with sertraline (Zoloft). SSRIs are able to affect neurotransmitters in the brain. These are the chemical messengers nerves utilize to communicate with each other. Numerous specialists believe an imbalance in neurotransmitters is the reason for depression. Lexapro hinders the reuptake process of serotonin (a neurotransmitter) and causes more serotonin to enter the brain that binds to receptors.

Cymbalta (duloxetine) is an selective serotonin and norepinephrine receptor inhibitor (SNRI) that is used to treat depression, anxiety disorder and discomfort. Additional SNRIs are milnacipran (Savella) as well as Venlafaxine (Effexor) as well as desvenlafaxine (Pristiq). Cymbalta alters the neurotransmitters epinephrine and serotonin through preventing their reuptake leading to an increase in the effects of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain. The mechanism that Cymbalta uses to treat pain is unclear however it is believed to be related to its effects on norepinephrine and serotonin.

What Are the Side Effects of Lexapro and Cymbalta?

Lexapro

Common side effects that are associated with Lexapro are:

• Restlessness or agitation,
• blurred vision
• diarrhea,
• difficulties sleep,
• drowsiness,
• Dry mouth,
• fever,
• frequent urination,
• headache,
• indigestion,
• nausea,
• Increased or diminished appetite,
• more sweating,
• sexual issues (decreased sexual desire or ability and ejaculatory delays),
• Taste changes, tremor (shaking) and
• Weight changes.

Antidepressants increase their risk for suicidal behavior and thinking (suicidality) in short-term research in adolescents and children suffering from depression as well as other psychiatric disorders. Anyone who considers using Lexapro and any antidepressant for a child or teenager must weigh the risk against the need for clinical treatment. Short-term studies have not shown an increase in suicidal risk with antidepressants as compared to placebo for adults over 24 years old. There was a decrease in the risk of suicide in the presence of antidepressants, compared to placebo for adults who are over 65 years old or older. Depression and other disorders of the psyche are connected to increased possibility to suicidal behavior. Patients who are starting treatment with antidepressants must be observed closely for any signs of changes in behavior, suicidality, or any unusual behavior changes.

Other adverse side consequences may include the flu-like symptoms, as well as pain in shoulders or neck.

However, changes in sexual desires or sexual performance and sexual satisfaction are often in the context of depression, they might be due to the medications prescribed in treating depression. In particular, around 1 in 11 men who are prescribed Lexapro experience difficulties in having trouble ejaculating.

Potentially serious side effects from Lexapro are:

• Serotonin syndrome
• suicidal thoughts and behaviors
• Abnormal bleeding
• Seizures
• Manic Episodes
• Confusion
• High fever
• Speech slurred
• Muscle rigidity
• Low sodium
• Angle closure glaucoma.

WARNING: Side Effects Warning

Patients may suffer withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing SSRI treatment. The symptoms could include

• dizziness,
• tingling,
• tiredness,
• vivid dreams,
• irritability, or
• poor mood.

To avoid these side effects, the dosage of SSRI can be gradually reduced instead of abruptly stopping.

Paxil

The most frequent adverse reactions of duloxetine are the following: nausea dry mouth, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, sleepiness, and dizziness. An increase in blood pressure is possible and needs to be checked. Seizures have been observed. A sexually disorder ( decreased sex drive and delayed orgasm and Ejaculation) is associated with duloxetine.

Certain patients might be prone to withdrawal reactions after discontinuing duloxetine. The withdrawal symptoms include:

• dizziness,
• anxiety,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• nervousness,
• diarrhea,
• Irritation and
• insomnia.

The dosage of duloxetine must be reduced gradually as the treatment ceases to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Antidepressants increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (suicidality) in short-term research in adolescents and children suffering from depression as well as other mental disorders. Anyone who is considering using duloxetine or other antidepressants for a child or an adult must consider the risks against the clinical necessity. Patients who begin treatment should be monitored closely for signs of clinical deterioration, suicidal behavior or other unusual behavior changes.

What is the dose of Lexapro in comparison to. Cymbalta?

Lexapro

• The recommended starting dose for Lexapro to treat depression in adolescents or adults is 10 mg each day in the morning and in the evening. The dosage may be upped to 20 mg every day after three weeks.
• The benefits may not be evident until the treatment has been completed for up to four weeks. A daily dose of 20 mg could not be as effective as 10 mg daily to treat of depression.
• The dosage to treat the disorder of generalized anxiety is 10 mg per day.
• Lexapro is a medicine that can be taken either with food or not.

Cymbalta

• The dosage recommended to treat depression should be 20 mg or 30 mg once daily or 60 mg every day. Patients can start by taking 30 mg a day for a week prior to when the dose is increased to 60 mg a day.
• The dose recommended for patients suffering from anxiety disorders, pain that is caused by the diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia or chronic muscle and joint painfulness is 60 mg per day. Begin with 30 mg per day for a week prior to increasing to 60 mg a day can help patients to adjust to the medication.
• The evidence isn’t convincing to suggest doses of more than 60 mg/day can provide benefits in addition to the 60 mg daily dose. The maximum dosage for anxiety or depression is 120 mg per day.
• What Drugs interact With Lexapro as well as Cymbalta?

Lexapro

• All SSRIs such as Lexapro are not to be mixed with other drugs belonging to the monoamine oxide (MAO) inhibiting class in antidepressants, such as isocarboxazid (Marplan) and Phenelzine (Nardil) and the tranylcypromine (Parnate) and selegiline (Eldepryl) and procarbazine (Matulane) or any other medications that block monoamine oxidase, such lineszolid (Zyvox) or intravenous Methylene Blue. Combinations like these can result in confusedness, high blood pressure and hyperfever, the tremor or stiffness of the muscles, as well as increased activity. A minimum of 14 days should expire after stopping Lexapro prior to starting the treatment with an MAO inhibitor. At minimum 14 days must pass when you stop taking an MAO inhibitor prior to beginning Lexapro.
• Similar reactions can occur similar reactions occur when SSRIs are coupled with other drugs which increase serotonin production inside the brain. such as Tryptophan St. John’s wort meperidine (Demerol) and lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith), triptans (for instance, sumatriptan [Imitrex, Alsumaas well as sumatriptan [Imitrex, Alsuma]) or tramadol (Ultram)
• Utilizing selective serotonin inhibitors can cause an increase in the likelihood of bleeding from the stomach when patients are who take warfarin (Jantoven, Coumadin), aspirin, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as well as other drugs that cause bleeding.

Cymbalta

• Duloxetine shouldn’t be used when combined with an inhibitor of monoamine oxidase ( MAOI) like phenelzine (Nardil) or the tranylcypromine (Parnate) and isocarboxazid (Marplan) as well as selegiline (Eldepryl) at least 14 days of stopping the MAOI. A minimum of 5 days must be allowed following the cessation of duloxetine prior beginning an MAOI. Mixing SNRIs or MAOIs can cause serious reactions that can be fatal that include extremely high body temperatures muscles rigidity, quick variations in blood pressure and heart rate extreme agitation that can lead into delirium or the onset of coma. Similar reactions could occur if duloxetine is paired in combination with other antipsychotics tricyclic antidepressants or other medications that alter serotonin inside the brain. Examples include sumatriptan, tryptophan (Imitrex) as well as lithium linezolid (Zyvox) and tramadol (Ultram) and St. John’s Wort.
• Fluoxetine (Prozac, Serafem), paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR, Pexeva) and fluvoxamine (Luvox) as well as quinidine raise the level of duloxetine in the bloodstream through reducing its metabolism in the liver. The combination of these drugs can cause an increase in adverse side effects caused by duloxetine.
• Combining duloxetine with aspirin nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medications (NSAIDs) warfarin (Coumadin) or any other medication that cause bleeding could increase the risk of bleeding because duloxetine is itself associated with bleeding.
• Duloxetine is coated with an enteric layer which prevents it from dissolving until it reaches a part of the gastrointestinal system that is pH greater than 5.5. Theoretically, medications which raise the pH in the digestive system (for instance, Prilosec) could cause duloxetine to be released prematurely, when conditions that delay gastric emptying (for instance, diabetes) could lead to the breakdown of duloxetine to be premature. However, administration of duloxetine by an anti-inflammatory drug and/or the famotidine ( Axid) was not a significant influence on how duloxetine is absorbed.
• Duloxetine could slow degrading desipramine (Norpramine) which can lead to higher blood levels of desipramine, as well as potential negative side consequences.

Are Lexapro and Cymbalta Safe to Take While Pregnant and Breastfeeding?

Lexapro

• The security that comes with Lexapro in the pregnancy or breastfeeding has not been proven. Thus, Lexapro should not be utilized during pregnancy unless, according to the physician, the advantages to the patient outweigh any unknown risks for the embryo.
• Lexapro is excreted into the human milk. Lexapro is not recommended to nursing mothers unless, according to the opinion of the doctor that the anticipated benefits for the patient are greater than the potential risks for the child.

Cymbalta

• Duloxetine is excreted into milk of lactating mothers. Since its safety for infants is unknown breastfeeding while taking duloxetine isn’t recommended.

Summary

Lexapro (escitalopram) along with Cymbalta (duloxetine) can be both used to combat depression and generalized anxiety disorder. 

Cymbalta can also be used to alleviate pain caused by the fibromyalgia and diabetic neuropathy, and chronic musculoskeletal discomfort. 

Lexapro and Cymbalta are part of two different classes of drugs that include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and a selective serotonin as well as NOREPHYRINE RESUPTPTORS (SNRI) in addition to.