Synthroid vs Lexapro: side-by-side comparison
Synthroid (Hormones et contraception) and Lexapro (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 | Synthroid | Lexapro |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Levothyroxine | Escitalopram |
| Manufacturer | AbbVie | Forest/Allergan |
| Class | Hormones et contraception | Antidépresseurs |
| Strengths | 25mcg, 50mcg, 75mcg, 100mcg, 150mcg | 5mg, 10mg, 20mg |
| Forms | tablet | tablet |
What's the same
Synthroid and Lexapro 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
Synthroid belongs to Hormones et contraception while Lexapro 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
Synthroid: La lévothyroxine remplace la thyroxine endogène déficitaire, convertie dans les tissus en hormone active, la triiodothyronine (T3), par les enzymes désiodases. Lexapro: Lexapro agit en inhibant sélectivement le transporteur de recapture de la sérotonine (SERT) au niveau de la synapse, augmentant la disponibilité de la sérotonine pour les récepteurs postsynaptiques.
When Synthroid is preferred
Synthroid est autorisé dans l'hypothyroïdie de toute cause (thyroïdite de Hashimoto, post-thyroïdectomie, post-iode radioactif, congénitale), dans le goitre et dans la freination de la TSH après cancer thyroïdien différencié.
When Lexapro is preferred
Lexapro est autorisé dans la dépression caractérisée et le trouble anxieux généralisé chez l'adulte, ainsi que chez l'adolescent à partir de 12 ans pour la dépression.
Questions fréquentes
Is Synthroid or Lexapro better? ▾
Synthroid and Lexapro 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 Synthroid to Lexapro? ▾
Switching between Synthroid and Lexapro 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 Synthroid and Lexapro 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 Synthroid 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.