Escitalopram Alternatives Compared

View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Escitalopram	Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan)	Vraylar (cariprazine)	Enter another drug to compare

Escitalopram

Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan)

Vraylar (cariprazine)

Prescription only

Escitalopram relieves depression and anxiety and may have less potential for side effects than some other antidepressants. Escitalopram may have fewer side effects than citalopram, a related drug... View more

Prescription only

Auvelity is an oral combination antidepressant tablet containing bupropion and dextromethorphan that has a novel way of working to treat adults with severe depression. Research has shown it is... View more

Prescription only

Vraylar is an atypical antipsychotic that is effective for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. Vraylar is usually well-tolerated and less likely than some other antipsychotics to... View more

More about Escitalopram

More about Auvelity (bupropion / dextromethorphan)

More about Vraylar (cariprazine)

Ratings & Reviews

Escitalopram has an average rating of 7.5 out of 10 from a total of 3986 ratings on Drugs.com. 66% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 16% reported a negative effect.

Auvelity has an average rating of 8.5 out of 10 from a total of 145 ratings on Drugs.com. 79% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 6% reported a negative effect.

Vraylar has an average rating of 6.1 out of 10 from a total of 527 ratings on Drugs.com. 49% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 32% reported a negative effect.

View all 3986 reviews

View all 145 reviews

View all 527 reviews

Side Effects Experienced by Users Side effects are reported in Drugs.com user reviews and not clinically verified.

Anxiety (17.2%)
Nausea (12.3%)
Insomnia (10.7%)
Tiredness (10.2%)
Sexual dysfunction (8.0%)
Headaches (7.9%)
Weight gain (6.9%)

View all Escitalopram side effects

Anxiety (8.3%)
Dizziness (5.5%)
Headaches (4.1%)
Sexual dysfunction (4.1%)
Hallucinations (2.8%)
Nausea (2.8%)
Sweating (2.8%)

View all Auvelity side effects

Restlessness (16.3%)
Insomnia (14.6%)
Weight gain (12.3%)
Nausea (9.9%)
Anxiety (8.9%)
Tiredness (5.9%)
Hallucinations (5.5%)

View all Vraylar side effects

Drug Class

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Miscellaneous antidepressants

Atypical antipsychotics

Generic Availability

Lower cost generic

No lower cost generic approved

Pricing and Coupons * Prices are without insurance

Quantity	100 each
Strength	10 mg
Per unit^*	$1.44
Cost^*	$144.20

View all Escitalopram prices

Quantity	30 tablet, extended release
Strength	105 mg-45 mg
Per unit^*	$21.28
Cost^*	$638.51

View all Auvelity prices

Quantity	20 each
Strength	1.5 mg
Per unit^*	$54.55
Cost^*	$1,090.96

View all Vraylar prices

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Dosage Forms

Oral solution
Oral tablet

Oral tablet, extended release

Oral capsule

Half Life Drug half-life is the time required for plasma concentration to reduce to half its original value.

32 hours

30 hours

504 hours

CSA Schedule ¹ View glossary of CSA terms

Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.

Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.

Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.

Pregnancy Category

Category C Risk cannot be ruled out

See the full pregnancy warnings document.

Summary unavailable.

See the full pregnancy warnings document.

Summary unavailable.

See the full pregnancy warnings document.

Drug Interactions

A total of 708 drugs are known to interact with Escitalopram:

266 major drug interactions (951 brand and generic names)
395 moderate drug interactions (1786 brand and generic names)
47 minor drug interactions (147 brand and generic names)

A total of 697 drugs are known to interact with Auvelity:

240 major drug interactions (1019 brand and generic names)
453 moderate drug interactions (2234 brand and generic names)
4 minor drug interactions (9 brand and generic names)

A total of 578 drugs are known to interact with Vraylar:

94 major drug interactions (385 brand and generic names)
482 moderate drug interactions (1837 brand and generic names)
2 minor drug interactions (5 brand and generic names)

Alcohol/Food/Lifestyle Interactions

Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of escitalopram such as dizziness, drowsiness... View more

Using buPROPion with alcohol may increase the risk of uncommon side effects such as seizures... View more

Grapefruit juice can increase the blood levels of cariprazine. This may increase side effects such... View more
Using cariprazine together with alcohol may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness... View more

Disease Interactions

First Approval Date

August 14, 2002

August 18, 2022

September 17, 2015

WADA Class View classifications

N/A

More Information

Patient Resources

Escitalopram uses

Auvelity uses

Vraylar uses

Professional Resources

Prescribing information

Prescribing information

¹ The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) schedule information displayed applies to substances regulated under federal law. There may be variations in CSA schedules between individual states.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Escitalopram Alternatives Compared

See also:

Auvelity

Lexapro

Vraylar

Xanax

Cymbalta

Paroxetine

Diazepam

Lorazepam

Venlafaxine

Buspirone

Further information

Escitalopram Alternatives Compared

See also:

Further information

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