Are Lexapro and Cymbalta similar?

[weescott]

I've been on Zoloft for five years 100 mgs now on 50 mgs and trying Lexapro . Past two weks my anxiety has tripled so my doc put me on cymbalta. Will Cymbalta increase my anxiety like the Lexapro I hear they are similiar? Are there any odd side effects. Doc is starting me on 30 mgs.

[Loozum]

I've been taking Lexapro for some years now, and my rheumatologist has just added cymbalta to the mix.  She claims that the Cymbalta will act on my muscle soreness (I have  plymialgia).  And I seem to be going through a rougher emotional time just now. Can these two be taken simultaneously? And if so - for how long.

[Paxiled]

Very different meds.  Lexapro is an ssri, while Cymbalta is an snri. ssris target serotonin receptors, while snris target both serotonin and norepinephrine receptors.  Your post is a little confusing -- did you taper off the Zoloft, or go off cold turkey, or switch to Lexapro, or are you on both Zoloft and Lexapro and now Cymbalta?  Going off any of these meds abruptly, even if you switch to another, can trigger a withdrawal, which is why I'm asking.