LEXAPRO vs PAXIL

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 12, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. LEXAPRO and PAXIL 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	PAXIL
Rating	72/100	66/100
Pharmacy pays	$0.16 /mL	~$2.87 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	ESCITALOPRAM OXALATE	PAROXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE
Manufacturer	Abbvie	Apotex
Dosage forms	Tablet	Tablet
Drug class	Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor	Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
Boxed warning	None	Boxed warning
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 paxil

Rating

72/100

66/100

Pharmacy pays

$0.16 /mL

~$2.87 /30

Type

Active ingredient

ESCITALOPRAM OXALATE

PAROXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE

Manufacturer

Abbvie

Apotex

Dosage forms

Tablet

Drug class

Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor

Boxed warning

None

Boxed warning

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

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Frequently asked questions

Which is better-rated, Lexapro or Paxil?

By our independent rating, Lexapro scores higher — 3.6 vs 3.3 out of 5 for Paxil. Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data.

What is the difference between Lexapro and Paxil?

Lexapro contains Escitalopram Oxalate, while Paxil contains Paroxetine Hydrochloride — 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.