Key takeaways
Fluvoxamine (former brand name: Luvox) and Lexapro (generic name: escitalopram) are both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), but they are used to treat different conditions. Fluvoxamine is primarily prescribed for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and is available only in generic form, while Lexapro is used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and is available as both a brand name and generic medication. Fluvoxamine can be taken once or twice daily, depending on the form, and may cause more side effects like nausea and sleep problems compared to other SSRIs. Lexapro is typically taken once daily and may start showing effects within a week, though full benefits can take up to two months. Both medications can cause withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly and have risks of serious side effects like suicidal thoughts and serotonin syndrome. However, Lexapro is noted for having fewer drug interactions and side effects compared to some other SSRIs.
