Health guides > Antidepressants > Celexa vs Zoloft

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Celexa vs Zoloft: Which is Right for Me?

By Alicia Wooldridge, MD

Medically reviewed

March 17, 2022

Although Celexa and Zoloft may both be prescribed to treat depression, there are some key differences between the two drugs.

While Celexa and Zoloft are both SSRIs and work to balance the amount of serotonin available to the brain, they have other major differences.

This article will discuss how they are similar, common uses, precautions, and how your doctor might decide which one is better for you.

What is Celexa?

Celexa is a brand name of citalopram, an FDA-approved antidepressant.

It is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).

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Celexa uses

Celexa is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of depression.

It is also used off-label for other purposes, at your doctor’s discretion, which may include:

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Panic disorder
Social anxiety disorder (SAD)
Separation anxiety disorder
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
Binge eating disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

How Celexa works

Celexa and other SSRIs work to support balanced neurotransmitter levels in the brain.

Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that send messages.

In some people, neurotransmitters like serotonin are cleared too quickly.

Without enough serotonin, the brain may not function properly.

Since serotonin is associated with balance, calm, and a regulated mood, not having enough serotonin can be a trigger of depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders.

Celexa prevents your central nervous system (CNS) from clearing serotonin too quickly, increasing your brain’s access to this balancing neurotransmitter.

It is highly selective when it comes to serotonin, and has very little impact on other neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine.

What is Zoloft?

Zoloft (sertraline HCl) is an FDA-approved medication used for treating depression and other mood disorders.

Like Celexa, it is an SSRI.

Zoloft uses

Zoloft is approved for the treatment of several conditions, including:

Major depressive disorder (MDD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Panic disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Social anxiety disorder
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

How Zoloft works

Zoloft works to block the clearance of serotonin from the brain, increasing the amount that your brain has access to.

Since serotonin is a mood-stabilizing neurotransmitter, this can help to decrease symptoms of depression and other mood disorders.

How Are They Similar?

Zoloft and Celexa have many similarities.

Both:

Are SSRI antidepressants
Increase the brain’s access to serotonin
Have similar side effects
Are taken once daily
Are FDA-approved to treat depression
Are available in tablet or liquid forms

Drug class

Zoloft and Celexa are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which work to prevent the clearance of serotonin too quickly from the brain.

They do not affect the other neurotransmitters.

Effectiveness at treating depression

Both Celexa and Zoloft are effective at treating depression.

How they work depends partially on a person’s genetic profile and other health conditions.

In a 6-week placebo-controlled trial, Celexa was found to be effective at improving symptoms of depression in doses of 40 or 60 mg.

In a longer-term study, patients who received Celexa for six months compared to patients who received placebo had lower relapse rates and overall steadier moods.

A review of 59 studies found that Zoloft tends to be favored in comparison to multiple other antidepressants.

Zoloft, paired with psychotherapy, was found to improve all participants in a study of postpartum depression.

It also has a less pronounced effect on how the body metabolizes other drugs and may cause fewer side effects, and as a result, is considered a first-line treatment choice for depression.

How Are They Different?

While Zoloft and Celexa are both in the same drug class, they are not the same and are not used interchangeably.

Conditions treated

Celexa is only FDA-approved for the treatment of depression, while Zoloft is FDA-approved for major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and social anxiety disorder.

Both may be used off-label for other purposes at the discretion of your doctor.

Off-label uses of Celexa may include:

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Panic disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Social anxiety disorder (SAD)
Separation anxiety disorder
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
Binge eating disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Off-label uses of Zoloft may include:

Binge eating disorder
Body dysmorphic disorder
Bulimia nervosa
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Premature ejaculation

Standard dosage

Celexa and Zoloft have different dosages.

Celexa: 10-60 mg per day in adults

Zoloft: 50-200 mg per day in adults

Potential side effects

Zoloft and Celexa have similar side effects.

Common side effects of Celexa may include:

Some side effects of Celexa only occur with higher doses, such as:

Drowsiness
Insomnia
Dizziness
Headache
Ejaculation disorder

Side effects of Zoloft may include:

Fainting
Lightheadedness or dizziness
Diarrhea
Nausea
Sweating
Dry mouth
Confusion or hallucinations
Tremor
Disorder of ejaculation
Fatigue
Female sexual dysfunction

Celexa Precautions

All antidepressants, including Celexa, come with black box warnings because they have the potential to increase the risk for suicidal ideation or suicide in some people.

If you or someone you love is taking Celexa or any other antidepressant, watch for the following warning signs:

Agitation, aggression, or hostility
Increased or worsening anxiety
Panic attacks
Irritability
Insomnia
Impulsiveness
Unusual changes in behavior
Suicidal thoughts or discussion
Restlessness
Manic behavior

Report these or other symptoms of concern to healthcare providers immediately.

Do not discontinue Celexa without talking to your doctor.

Celexa should be tapered to wean you off slowly.

This will prevent side effects and decrease the risk of a serious relapse.

Celexa is contraindicated for some people who take other medications or have certain health conditions.

If any of the following apply to you, make sure that your doctor knows:

Takes monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Takes pimozide
Is 60 or older
Have liver problems
Have a bleeding disorder or take anticoagulants

Zoloft Precautions

Zoloft precautions include the same black box warning as Celexa and other antidepressants.

Warning signs like the following need to be reported to a healthcare provider:

Agitation, aggression, or hostility
Increased or worsening anxiety
Panic attacks
Irritability
Insomnia
Impulsiveness
Unusual changes in behavior
Suicidal thoughts or discussion
Restlessness
Manic behavior

Do not stop taking Zoloft suddenly.

If you need to stop taking it, your doctor will taper your medication to help avoid side effects.

Zoloft is contraindicated for people with certain health conditions or who take specific medications. If any of the following are applicable to you, Zoloft may not be appropriate:

Takes MAOIs or has within the past 14 days
Takes pimozide
Is sensitive to sertraline or any ingredients in Zoloft
Takes disulfiram (for liquid Zoloft only)

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When to See a Doctor for Depression

If you are experiencing symptoms of depression or feel like you are struggling to function with a low mood, speak to your doctor.

There are many different treatment options available, both prescription and non-medication.

You should not feel alone in your struggle and many times an outside perspective from a healthcare provider can help you understand what may be normal and what requires treatment.

How K Health Can Help

Think you might need a prescription for Celexa (citalopram) or a prescription for Zoloft (sertraline)?

K Health has clinicians standing by 24/7 to evaluate your symptoms and determine which prescription is right for you.

Get started with our free assessment, which will tell you in minutes if treatment could be a good fit. If yes, we’ll connect you right to a clinician who can prescribe medication and have it shipped right to your door.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Celexa similar to Zoloft?

Celexa and Zoloft are both SSRIs. They are both antidepressant medications that work to increase the mood-balancing neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. But they are different drugs and may not work the same way.

Is Celexa better for anxiety or depression?

Celexa is FDA-approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder, but many doctors use it off-label for anxiety.

What is better than Zoloft for anxiety?

Lexapro may be more effective for anxiety in general, according to some research, but how you respond to a medication is based on your genetic makeup, your health conditions, and other factors unique to you. Your doctor will work to find a prescription that is effective for your needs while causing minimal side effects.

Does Celexa make you feel happy?

Celexa helps your brain maintain levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with calm, balance, and well-being. It may not directly cause you to be happy, but over time, it can decrease symptoms associated with depression like sadness, low mood, hopelessness, or lack of motivation. Celexa may help to improve your quality of life, which can improve how happy you feel.

K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.

K Health has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.

Alicia Wooldridge, MD

Dr. Alicia Wooldridge is a board certified Family Medicine physician with over a decade of experience.

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