LEXAPRO vs PAROXETINE MESYLATE

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 16, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. LEXAPRO and PAROXETINE MESYLATE are different prescription medicines. Combining or switching between them can cause interactions — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber before making changes. This page is not medical advice.

Attribute	LEXAPRO	PAROXETINE MESYLATE
Rating	72/100	70/100
Pharmacy pays	$0.16 /mL	~$2.84 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	ESCITALOPRAM OXALATE	PAROXETINE MESYLATE
Manufacturer	Abbvie	Actavis Labs Fl Inc
Dosage forms	Tablet	Capsule
Drug class	Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor	Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
Boxed warning	None	None
Half-life	about 27 to 32 hours	about 21 hours on average (the label reports a mean of approximately 21 hours, with 32% variability between people)
Treats	Major Depressive Disorder	Feeding and Eating Disorders, Depressive Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

lexapro paroxetine mesylate

Rating

72/100

70/100

Pharmacy pays

$0.16 /mL

~$2.84 /30

Type

Active ingredient

ESCITALOPRAM OXALATE

PAROXETINE MESYLATE

Manufacturer

Abbvie

Actavis Labs Fl Inc

Dosage forms

Tablet

Capsule

Drug class

Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor

Boxed warning

None

Half-life

about 27 to 32 hours

about 21 hours on average (the label reports a mean of approximately 21 hours, with 32% variability between people)

Treats

Major Depressive Disorder

Feeding and Eating Disorders, Depressive Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Get paroxetine mesylate

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Frequently asked questions

Which is better-rated, Lexapro or Paroxetine Mesylate?

By our independent rating, Lexapro scores higher — 3.6 vs 3.5 out of 5 for Paroxetine Mesylate. Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data.

What is the difference between Lexapro and Paroxetine Mesylate?

Lexapro contains Escitalopram Oxalate, while Paroxetine Mesylate contains Paroxetine Mesylate — they have different active ingredients.

Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.