Celexa and Lexapro are the branding names for the drug named Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), which is used to treat the disorder known as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) or Depression.
Depression has become a major concern as about 3% of the world’s population faces it.
Depression is a disorder where the person feels low almost all the time, lacks interest in many social activities, and tends to take medications or therapy sessions.
Key Takeaways
- Celexa (citalopram) and Lexapro (escitalopram) are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) used to treat depression and anxiety disorders.
- Lexapro is a more potent drug, requiring lower dosages than Celexa for similar therapeutic effects.
- Both drugs have similar side effects, but Lexapro may cause fewer side effects due to its potency and targeted action.
Celexa vs Lexapro
The difference between Celexa and Lexapro is their generic names. Celexa represents its generic name which is Citalopram while on the other hand, while Lexapro has a different generic term known as Escitalopram.
Celexa is an oral antidepressant medication that contains a mix of R-enantiomer and S-enantiomer of Citalopram and works great for the patients.
Generally, these medications are available in two variants,: oral pills and oral liquids. The strengths of each type also vary from the other.
On the other hand, Lexapro is a more effective medication,. It contains a single variant of enantiomer which is S-enantiomer, and this works as the active isomer and hence results from a tremendous serotonergic effect.
The strengths are availed in two forms,: pills and liquids. There are three strengths for the drugs and one strength in beverages.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Celexa | Lexapro |
|---|---|---|
| Generic Name | Celexa is the generic name for Citalopram. | Escitalopram represents a generic name for the brand Lexapro. |
| Usage | Lexapro mainly treats two types of disorders, and these include Unipolar Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. | Some common side effects for Celexa are nausea, sleepiness, insomnia, dry mouth etc. |
| FDA | FDA approved Celexa on 17th July 1998. | On 27th November 2002, Lexapro was certified by FDA. |
| Side-Effects | Diarrhoea, headaches, decreased sex drive, sleepiness, etc are the most common side-effects of Lexapro. | It has been noticed that Lexapro quickly shows its effect on the patient. |
| Effectiveness | Celexa is a bit less effective than Lexapro. | It has been noticed that Lexapro quickly shows its effect upon the patient. |
What is Celexa?
Celexa is one of the antidepressant medications and is the brand name for Citalopram. It is found in invariants which are in oral tablets and oral liquids.
One can choose any of these variants accordingly. Celexa is available in three oral pill strengths those includes 10mg, 20mg, and 40mg. And on the other side, the liquid strengths are 10mg/5ml and 20mg/5ml.
And generally, the doctors prescribe the standard dosage for Celexa as 20mg once daily and not more than that.
Celexa works perfectly for everyone but, in general, the drug named Citalopram (Celexa) is not prescribed to children below the age of 18 years. Still, if the doctors approve it in some cases, then even these children have it.
Without consultation, you should never consume such medicines as they can lead to side effects and therefore, they can majorly affect the body.
Celexa came into the market after the final approval by FDA on 17th July 1998. Since then, doctors recommended it to patients.
Even though Celexa is highly beneficial for Depression, it can also have side effects, like headache, stomach ache, nausea, insomnia, etc.
If such signs are seen, then immediately consult the doctor.
What is Lexapro?
Lexapro is a medications brand for Escitalopram. It is specifically designed to treat Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorders.
It is also one of the essential drugs, as per the World Health Organization’s list. For the first time, Lexapro was approved by FDA for medicinal purposes on 27th November 2002.
Lexapro is available in two different variations, and they are in pills and liquid. It not only helps with Depression but other concerns like insomnia, symptoms of menopause, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
And Lexapro is highly efficient than the other Antidepressants on the market.
Since we have come to know that Lexapro is found in two types,, its strengths are 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg are the main strengths for oral pills, and for oral liquids, the strengths come in a single 5mg/5ml form.
And the dosage for it is 10mg once daily.
Some people might experience side effects as well, and those are diarrhoea, headaches, decreased sex drive, sleepiness, etc.
Hence such medications should only be consumed per the doctor’s guidance since these drugs are vital. Children from age between 12 years and to 17years and adults are prescribed Lexapro.
Main Differences Between Celexa and Lexapro
- Celexa has been chosen as the generic name for Citalopram, while on the other hand, the generic name Lexapro is known for the drug name Escitalopram.
- The Unipolar Depression types are cured using Celexa while on the other hand, Lexapro treats two variants of depression which include Unipolar Depression and Generalized Anxiety Depression.
- On the date 17th July 1998, Celexa was approved for the first time by FDA while on the other hand, while Lexapro was initially approved by FDA on 27th November 2002.
- Celexa includes varieties of side effects, and they are nausea, sleepiness, insomnia, dry mouth etc. while on the other hand, Lexapro gives side effects such as diarrhoea, headaches, decreased sex drive, sleepiness, etc.
- Celexa works great but it lacks a bit than the Lexapro while on the other hand, Lexapro is highly effective.
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00213-002-1364-z
- https://journals.lww.com/behaviouralpharm/Fulltext/2003/09000/R_citalopram_counteracts_the_antidepressant_like.10.aspx
Last Updated : 30 June, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
It is quite amusing how closely related these two medications are, yet their differences are still worth considering when prescribing them.
It’s certainly interesting, but these types of articles often overemphasize differences which may not be clinically significant
It’s quite ironic that Lexapro is referred to as a more effective medication, yet its side effects seem to be more pronounced than those of Celexa.
I was not aware that these medications come in liquid form, fascinating information, thank you!
This article fails to address the fact that regardless of the differences in side effects, the safety and efficacy of these drugs is highly variable from patient to patient, factors which are not considered here
This is highly informative, it’s very important to be clear on the differences between these two drugs, thanks for sharing!
This article provides a very interesting comparison, as well as some key differences between the medications. However, it lacks discussion on the cost differences between the two, which is important to consider.
However, the sheer number of side effects to look out for with these medications is quite surprising