Lexapro better than Zoloft?

Question

I like the results I get from Zoloft but the tiredness, weight gain, and sexual side effects are bad. I have gained 25 lbs in 1 year and I have no sex drive at all. I also have a lot of stomach problems due to anxiety which the Zoloft helped alot. I don't have to run to the bathroom when I'm in a crowd anymore. My doctor just switched me to Lexapro. Has anyone else been in this situation? Which one worked better for you?

Answer 1

Modern psychiatry is still primative. For example, any psychoactive medication that you ingest gets 95% filtered out before it ever even reaches the blood-brain barrier.

Plus, they never know exactly which medication will work best, it's trial and error because that's the best that can be done right now.

I would avoid Paxil as the rebound effect when you get off it is more intense than the original problem.

You could try St. John's Wart - which is much like Prozac, both in its effectiveness AND that it takes about six months to work.

I have seen great success with the mental exercises in a book called FEELING GOOD: THE NEW MOOD THERAPY.

And even better results from Dianetics. www.dianetics.org - it will allow you to find a center near you - try a "processing" session just once, and you'll be amazed.

Answer 2

I've taken both, and between the two, I'd say Lexapro is better. I didn't have any side effects with Lexapro, it helped my depression, and it eased my anxiety. I gained weight on Zoloft and had stomach problems. Plus it really just didn't help my depression that much. But each person is going to respond differently to different meds. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Zoloft made me crazy. I couldn't stand it. I was angrier by the minute and my anxiety and panick attacks got worse. My doctor switched me to Lexapro and it was better. Not the best for me either though because I had no emotions whatsoever. I didn't feel happy nor sad nor angry. I just felt nothing! But, I guess it's alot better than feeling depressed and wanting to cut yourself. I too gained weight but I didn't loose my sex drive. In my book, Lexapro is better.

Answer 4

I was on Zoloft but didn't feel any changes so my doctor switched me to lexapro and I feel find now just a little tired and sometimes headaches but my sex drive is still in gear. Also I have become constipated instead of diarrhea. So I vote for lexapro it is better for me in my case anyway.

Answer 5

I was up to 200mg of Zoloft and it barely helped my depression and did nothing for my anxiety. I gained some weight and lost my sex drive completely. I still had psychotic fits of anger and uncontrollable rage and crying spells. It was totally pointless for me.

Now I'm on 30mg of Lexapro with 1.5mg of Klonopin. I have lost about 10 lbs, still have about 90% of my sex drive, most of my depression and thoughts of suicide are gone. Its the best I've felt in 10-15 years. With the Klonopin, my anxiety levels and panic attacks are the lowest they've ever been. I'm very happy with Lexapro so far.

Answer 6

Lexapro gives me diarrhea. I feel well (emotionally) on the Lexapro, but agree about the side effects. I'm also taking Remeron and it really makes me tired. About the same with Zoloft.

Answer 7

Everybodys tolerance and acceptance of drugs is different. The good thing is that they do work. The bad thing is going through the trial and error process to find which suits you best. If you get 20 answers to this post, each answer will be different because everybody is different, and their reaction to the drugs is different.

My advice, for what it is worth, would be to keep talking to your doctor about how the Lexapro is making you feel. Remember it is his job to help you. Don't accept "This is normal and it should pass away in a few weeks (stock answer!)".

Hope this helps

Answer 8

LEXAPRO,works wonders,lexapro still stops sex drive but the results are excellent I've been using it for a few months now and my anxiety is sooooo much better now. good luck.
i was on zoloft=bad yuck I didn't like it.

Answer 9

When I started taking Lexapro, I had some flu-like symptoms, but they went away after about a week. My depression was going away, but I also couldn't feel any emotions at all, so I decided to quit. How you react to a medication varies from person to person, so your best bet is to wait it out and give it a shot.

Answer 10

Most anti-depressants or mood stabilizers make people gain weight... I'm not sure why, but they do. I have never been on zoloft or lexapro... i am on a mood stabilizer which is Depakote... it has made me gain some weight, and it has showed to do that to most people..