Ativan vs Celexa: side-by-side comparison
Ativan (Anxiolytiques) and Celexa (Antidépresseurs) belong to different therapeutic classes and are rarely interchangeable. This page compares the medications' purposes, mechanisms and the situations where each is used.
| Property | Ativan | Celexa |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Lorazepam | Citalopram |
| Manufacturer | Pfizer | Forest Laboratories / AbbVie |
| Class | Anxiolytiques | Antidépresseurs |
| Strengths | 0.5mg, 1mg, 2mg | 10mg, 20mg, 40mg |
| Forms | tablet, oral concentrate, injection | tablet |
What's the same
Ativan and Celexa are used in very different patients, and the points in common are limited. The main shared element is that both meet regulatory standards for efficacy and safety and benefit from pharmacist oversight.
Key differences
Ativan belongs to Anxiolytiques while Celexa belongs to Antidépresseurs. Indications, mechanisms and target populations differ. The comparison is most useful when a clinician has mentioned both medications and the patient wants to understand where each fits.
Mechanism and action
Ativan: Le lorazépam se lie au site benzodiazépine du récepteur GABA-A et renforce de façon allostérique la conductance chlorure inhibitrice. Celexa: Le citalopram inhibe sélectivement le transporteur de recapture de la sérotonine, augmentant sa disponibilité synaptique avec une affinité limitée pour les transporteurs de la noradrénaline ou les autres récepteurs.
When Ativan is preferred
Ativan est autorisé chez l'adulte dans la prise en charge de courte durée des troubles anxieux et de l'insomnie liée à l'anxiété.
When Celexa is preferred
Celexa est autorisé dans la dépression caractérisée.
Questions fréquentes
Is Ativan or Celexa better? ▾
Ativan and Celexa are not interchangeable — they treat different conditions. Asking which is "better" is meaningful only when a clinician has weighed both for the same specific clinical scenario.
Can I switch from Ativan to Celexa? ▾
Switching between Ativan and Celexa is rarely an appropriate decision since they belong to different classes and treat different conditions. The real question is usually whether the diagnosis calls for one medication or the other — which the prescriber resolves.
Do Ativan and Celexa have the same side effects? ▾
No — they belong to different classes and have distinct side-effect profiles. Each medication has its own prescribing information.
More Ativan comparisons
Les informations publiées sur ce site sont fournies à titre documentaire et pédagogique. Elles ne remplacent pas l'avis d'un professionnel de santé qualifié.