Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: LEXAPRO versus PROZAC.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: LEXAPRO versus PROZAC.
LEXAPRO vs PROZAC
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI); inhibits serotonin reuptake at the presynaptic neuron, potentiating serotonergic activity.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI); potentiates serotonergic activity in the CNS by blocking the reuptake of serotonin into presynaptic neurons.
10 mg orally once daily; may increase to 20 mg once daily after at least 1 week.
20 mg orally once daily, initially; may increase to 40 mg once daily after several weeks; maximum 80 mg once daily.
None Documented
None Documented
27-32 hours (mean ~30 h); steady state reached in ~1 week; linear kinetics at therapeutic doses.
Fluoxetine: 4-6 days; norfluoxetine: 4-16 days; extensive accumulation with chronic dosing, steady-state in 4-5 weeks
Primarily renal (approx. 80% as metabolites, 8% as unchanged drug); biliary/fecal elimination accounts for ~15%.
Renal: ~80% (primarily as metabolites, <10% unchanged); fecal: ~15%
Category C
Category C
SSRI Antidepressant
SSRI Antidepressant