Both are SSRIs & SNRIs. Here is how Lexapro and Cymbalta compare on class, mechanism, dosing, approval and supply.
Lexapro is indicated for the treatment of: • major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older. • generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults and pediatric patients 7 years of age and older. Lexapro is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) indicated for the: treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older ( 1 ) treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults and pediatric patients 7 years and older ( 1 )
CYMBALTA ® is indicated for the treatment of: Major depressive disorder in adults Generalized anxiety disorder in adults and pediatric patients 7 years of age and older Diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain in adults Fibromyalgia in adults and pediatric patients 13 years of age and older Chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults CYMBALTA ® is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) indicated for the treatment of the following conditions: Major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults ( 1 ) Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults and pediatric patients 7 years of age and older ( 1 ) Diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP) in adults ( 1 ) Fibromyalgia (FM) in adults and pediatric patients 13 years of age and older ( 1 ) Chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults ( 1 )
12.1 Mechanism of Action The mechanism of antidepressant action of escitalopram, the S-enantiomer of racemic citalopram, is presumed to be linked to potentiation of serotonergic activity in the central nervous system (CNS) resulting from its inhibition of CNS neuronal reuptake of serotonin (5-HT).
12.1 Mechanism of Action Although the exact mechanisms of the antidepressant, central pain inhibitory and anxiolytic actions of duloxetine in humans are unknown, these actions are believed to be related to its potentiation of serotonergic and noradrenergic activity in the CNS.
Which medicine is right for a given person depends on their diagnosis, other conditions, other medicines, kidney and liver function, pregnancy, and cost or reimbursement — none of which this page knows. Two drugs in the same class are not automatically interchangeable. Never start, stop or switch a prescription medicine on the basis of a web page; that decision belongs to you and your clinician or pharmacist.
Class and summary text is written by the Priya Life Science editorial team. Label, mechanism, route, manufacturer and approval data come from the U.S. FDA via the openFDA API; shortage status from the FDA Drug Shortage Database. Approvals, indications and brand names differ between the US, EU/Ireland (EMA/HPRA) and other regions — a drug approved in one may not be approved, or may carry a different name, in another.