Paxil vs. Lexapro?

Question

The doctor gave been Paxil for anxiety and it worked well but I had caused huge weight gain (18 lbs in a year) and had sexual side effects. He has now switched me to Lexapro saying its relatively new and does not have these two side effects. Has everyone tried Lexapro and not had these or other side effects?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Both of them made me suicidal. It didn't stop the voices in my head either...

Answer 2

Lexapro is great. take it and love it. no weight gain and im still hot in bed ;)

Answer 3

Lexapro works well, with not as many side effects, gives you a good edge without being jumpy. Try it, it is so much better than Paxil.

Answer 4

My doctor prescribed Paxil to me, not for anxiety though, for depression. I too experienced sexual side effects (I am male, and basically, it made my wee-wee go woo-woo.) He switched me to another antidepressant called Effexor XL, and I did not experience the side effects. Not sure if Effexor XL is used to relieve anxiety though.

Answer 5

paxil when not taken can have some very bad effects...it's a withdrawl issue...big time. bones hurt, headaches....depression just as bad when starting paxil.

lexapro? go for it. it is the best one out there for many as the side effects are very few compaired to any other.

my question for you is this....are you aware that depression does not happen as a disease itself? depression is a symptom of something going wrong in the body.....

i'd see a pcp doc, and see if he can suggest what you need to be tested for (viruses that pass the blood brain barrier)

good luck!

Source(s):

life experience...no anti-depressants now for almost 5 years (had hcv and did not know it, did treatment and no depression now the virus is gone!)

Answer 6

I was put on lexapro, and did gain a little bit of weight, but not too much. It didn't cause any sexual side effects with me. I personally didn't have much luck with it. It helped a very little bit with my anxiety. I eventually went off of it. It wasn't worth the price. Best of luck to you!!

Answer 7

Don't take it.

Answer 8

I'm on Lexapro, and have not had these problems. Check out Lexapro's website for a list of side effects thou.

Answer 9

I think Lexapro will k.o. Paxil by the 4th round.

Answer 10

Check out L-Theanine online and at your health food store. It costs about 17 cents per tablet. It works the day you take it and it is not addictive. I'm not aware of any side effects, but the articles online can fill you in. It may be healthier than what a pharmaceutical company can produce.

Answer 11

Weight gain is a common side-effect of Paxil. Lexapro is a good alternative. It is one of the newer antidepressant, though it can also be used to treat anxiety. I should mention that almost without exceptions antidepressants have sexual side-effects. Wellbutrin is one antidepressant which has a lower incidence of sexual side-effects, which is why many doctors prescribe it for patients who experience sexual side-effects on other drugs. You might mention it to your doctor the next time you see him or her.

Answer 12

I love lexapro! no weight gain. my only side effect (and it went away after a few weeks) was that my leg would bounce and i couldn't stop it. you know, its like a nervous habit.

Answer 13

My Father has taken, is taking Paxil for quite a while, never had weight gain at all.