For many people who have been diagnosed with anxiety or depression, medication plays a large role in their treatment. The goal of medication for mental health disorders is to help manage the symptoms on a day-to-day basis to reduce their impact on your overall quality of life.
Cymbalta and Lexapro are both common antidepressants. It’s important that you collaborate with your physician and psychiatrist to determine which one will be the safest and most effective option. By comparing Cymbalta versus Lexapro, you can understand how they will each affect your mind and body so you can gain a better idea of which one might be right for you.
In this blog post, we’ll talk about the basics of the two medications before diving into comparisons. Then we’ll discuss how to decide which option will be the best choice for you.
Comparing Cymbalta vs. Lexapro: How they work
Cymbalta and Lexapro are brand names for common antidepressants. The generic name for Cymbalta is duloxetine, while Lexapro is also known as escitalopram. The main thing that these two medications have in common is that they have both been approved by the FDA to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
While both types of medications treat depression and anxiety, they do so in different ways. Cymbalta is an SNRI, or a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, while Lexapro is an SSRI, or a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
Both medications impact your serotonin levels, which is a chemical in the brain that impacts your mood regulation. People with depression and GAD have been shown to have low serotonin levels. SSRIs like Lexapro work to increase serotonin levels by preventing serotonin from being reabsorbed back into the brain.
As an SNRI, Cymbalta prevents the reabsorption of norepinephrine as well as serotonin. Norepinephrine is a hormone and neurotransmitter that stimulates the brain’s “fight-or-flight” response. While high levels of norepinephrine can contribute to anxiety, low levels can play a role in both anxiety and depression.
Comparing Cymbalta vs. Lexapro: Side effects
Side effects are often a big deciding factor when it comes to prescription medication choices. Cymbalta and Lexapro have many of the same side effects; however, some side effects have a higher prevalence rate in individuals taking Cymbalta than those prescribed Lexapro.
All side effects for the medications tend to be mild for most people and last only for the first few weeks of the first prescription.
Cymbalta and Lexapro can both result in side effects including:
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
- Drowsiness
Additional Cymbalta side effects:
- Dizziness
- Headache
- High blood pressure
Additional Lexapro side effects:
- Dyspepsia (upper abdomen pain or discomfort)
- Decreased libido
Is Cymbalta or Lexapro right for you?
When looking at MDD treatment, escitalopram (Lexapro) has been shown to be more effective for treating depression in comparison to duloxetine (Cymbalta). The data comes from a study using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale to measure the clients’ results. Research also shows that it can be more tolerable for long-term treatment of MDD.
When it comes to anxiety disorders, both can be effective. However, there hasn’t been a ton of research on their efficacy for anxiety in particular. Lexapro is often prescribed over Cymbalta for anxiety diagnoses because it treats a variety of anxiety disorders. Beyond GAD, which is what Cymbalta can treat, Lexapro can also be prescribed for people with panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Age is an important factor to consider. While both Cymbalta and Lexapro are approved for ages 7 and up with generalized anxiety disorder, they have differing approval ages for major depressive disorder treatment. Ages 12 and up can take Lexapro for depression, while a person must be at least 18 to be prescribed Cymbalta for depression.
When it comes down to it, deciding which medication is right for you will be based on a collaborative decision between you and your doctors. It’s important to consider your particular diagnosis and symptoms as well as your medical history.
Lightfully can help you decide if Cymbalta or Lexapro is right for you
Medication management plays an important role in a person’s mental health treatment. That’s why we make sure that your medication, whether that be Cymbalta, Lexapro or another prescription, is what works best for you and your current stage in your mental health journey.
Throughout our levels of care, you’ll work with a psychiatrist, either on a weekly or as-needed basis, to evaluate your prescription and determine the best course of action moving forward. It’s important to remember that medications are meant to be adjusted or changed as needed to optimize your overall health and wellness.
Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.
