Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CELEXA versus ZOLOFT.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CELEXA versus ZOLOFT.
CELEXA vs ZOLOFT
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI); potentiates serotonergic activity in the CNS by blocking reuptake of serotonin into presynaptic neurons.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI); potentiates serotonergic activity in the CNS by blocking the reuptake of serotonin at the presynaptic neuronal membrane, resulting in increased serotonin concentrations in the synaptic cleft.
20 mg orally once daily initially, may increase to 40 mg once daily after at least 1 week; maximum 40 mg/day.
50 mg orally once daily, increased by 50 mg increments at 1-week intervals up to 200 mg/day for depression, OCD, panic disorder, PTSD, PMDD, social anxiety disorder.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life is approximately 35 hours (range 23–45 h) in healthy adults. This long half-life allows once-daily dosing; steady state is reached in about 1 week. In elderly patients, half-life may extend to 45–90 hours.
26 hours (terminal elimination half-life); steady state achieved in ~1 week; metabolite desmethylsertraline half-life 66 hours.
Primarily renal: 75% as metabolites (10% as parent citalopram, 65% as desmethylcitalopram, didesmethylcitalopram, and citalopram-N-oxide). Fecal excretion accounts for approximately 20% of the dose. Biliary excretion minimal.
Renal: <0.5% unchanged; extensive hepatic metabolism; metabolites excreted renally and fecally.
Category C
Category C
SSRI Antidepressant
SSRI Antidepressant