Depression and anxiety medications: What you need to know about Prozac and Lexapro

If you or someone you know has a mental health problem like depression or anxiety, medication is a key part of the treatment plan. Two medications that doctors often prescribe and that help many people are Prozac and Lexapro. There are a few important things you should know about both of these medications. Let's talk about them today.

How does this medicine work? It's very simple!

Both of these medications work by increasing the amount of a chemical in our bodies called serotonin. Simply put, serotonin is a very important messenger in the brain that controls things like our mood, happiness, and feelings of well-being. It also helps with things like sleep, digestion, and appetite.

Both Prozac and Lexapro belong to a class of drugs called SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) . While the name may sound complicated, the mechanism is very simple. Think of it like the way our brain uses serotonin to send a message between two nerve cells. What this drug does is it stops the serotonin from being reabsorbed quickly after the message has been sent. This means that there is more serotonin between the two cells, allowing the message to flow more easily. This is what helps improve your mood. They are called "selective" because they specifically target serotonin.

What conditions is this medicine used for?

Both of these medications are used to treat a variety of mental health issues. Let's take a look at the situations in which a doctor would typically prescribe these medications.

What are the common side effects of both medications?

As with any medicine, side effects can occur. But that doesn't mean you will get them all. Most of the time, these side effects occur in the first few weeks and go away as your body gets used to the medicine.

• Common side effects for both Lexapro and Prozac:
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Diarrhea
• Excessive sweating
• Feeling restless
• Anxiety
• Drowsiness or fatigue

• Additional things that may be a little specific to Prozac:
• Skin irritation, itching, or rash
• Feeling cold or feverish
• Joint or muscle pain

In addition to these common side effects, both medications can cause sexual health problems (e.g., decreased libido) in the long term. There are also rare but serious side effects, such as low sodium levels or a slightly increased risk of bleeding. If you experience anything unusual, tell your doctor right away.

Important things to be very careful about

There are a few things you should definitely be aware of when using this medication.

The dangerous condition called Serotonin Syndrome

This is a bit serious, but it's important to be aware of it. If you take two of these types of medications together, or if you take certain other medications (especially painkillers, migraine medications) or herbal supplements like St. John's wort with this medication, the amount of serotonin in your body can increase dangerously. This is called serotonin syndrome . This is a condition that requires emergency medical treatment. Symptoms include:

• Severe anxiety and agitation
• High fever and sweating
• Confusion
• Tremors
• Restlessness
• Loss of body balance
• Big changes in blood pressure and heart rate

Interactions with other medications and alcohol

This is very important: Tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including medications for other conditions, vitamins, and herbal products). Also, avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medication.

Pregnancy and sudden discontinuation of medication

If you are planning to become pregnant or are already pregnant, talk to your doctor about taking these medications, as they can increase the risk of low birth weight or premature birth.

Also, no matter how much better you feel, do not stop taking this medication suddenly without consulting your doctor. Doing so may cause withdrawal symptoms such as nausea and bad dreams. Your mental symptoms may also return.

Suicidal thoughts in young people

This is also a very sensitive but important thing to know. There is a small risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior when a young person under the age of 25 uses this type of medication, especially in the first few weeks of starting the medication or when the dosage is changed. Therefore, parents and guardians should be very vigilant about this. If such thoughts occur, inform the doctor immediately.

How to get medicine and prices

Both of these medications are available in pill and liquid form. They are usually taken once a day. Prozac also comes in a once-weekly form (delayed release). Your doctor will determine the right dose and type for you.

Speaking of price, Prozac and Lexapro are brand names. Both of these medications have generic versions, namely Fluoxetine (for Prozac) and Escitalopram (for Lexapro) . These generic medications are much cheaper than the brand-name medications. There is no difference in quality. Therefore, talk to your doctor about these generic medications and ask if they are safe to use.