Two medicines, side by side
Amitriptyline vs quetiapine
Amitriptyline and quetiapine are both labeled for depression. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amitriptyline since 1961 and of quetiapine since 1997. Pharmacies paid $0.03 per amitriptyline HCl 10 mg tablet and $0.127 per quetiapine fumarate 300 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant and quetiapine an atypical antipsychotic.
Check it at the source: the amitriptyline FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 8, 2026); the quetiapine FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 10, 2026).
Highlights of the amitriptyline record
Amitriptyline (Elavil) · label of September 8, 2026
Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs: Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of amitriptyline hydrochloride or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need.
Used for
From the label: indicationsFor the relief of symptoms of depression. Endogenous depression is more likely to be alleviated than are other depressive states.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 7, 1961
- Generic labelers
- 34 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.03 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Highlights of the quetiapine record
Quetiapine (Seroquel) · label of April 10, 2026
INCREASED MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED PSYCHOSIS; and SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. SEROQUEL is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsSEROQUEL is an atypical antipsychotic indicated for the treatment of: • Schizophrenia ( 1.1 ) • Bipolar I disorder manic episodes (1.2) • Bipolar disorder, depressive episodes (1.2) 1.1 Schizophrenia SEROQUEL is indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia. The efficacy of SEROQUEL in schizophrenia was established in three 6-week trials in adults and one 6-week trial in adolescents (13-17 years). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 26, 1997
- Generic labelers
- 48 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.127 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 10
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amitriptyline label of September 8, 2026, Quetiapine label of April 10, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do amitriptyline and quetiapine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant and quetiapine an atypical antipsychotic.
How each works, in its label's words: Amitriptyline, “It is not a monoamine oxidase inhibitor and it does not act primarily by stimulation of the central nervous system.”; Quetiapine, “The mechanism of action of quetiapine in the listed indications is unclear.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: amitriptyline since 1976; quetiapine since 2012 (Drugs@FDA).
| Amitriptyline | Quetiapine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression | Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, Depression |
| Pharmacologic class | Tricyclic Antidepressant | Atypical Antipsychotic |
| How it works (label) | in man is not known. It is not a monoamine oxidase inhibitor and it does not act primarily by stimulation of the central nervous system. | The mechanism of action of quetiapine in the listed indications is unclear. However, the efficacy of quetiapine in these indications could be mediated through a combination of dopamine type 2 (D 2 ) and serotonin type 2 (5HT 2 ) antagonism. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Elimination of quetiapine is mainly via hepatic metabolism with a mean terminal half-life of about 6 hours within the proposed clinical dose range. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 7, 1961 | September 26, 1997 |
| First generic approved | November 16, 1976 | March 27, 2012 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 34 labelers | 48 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.03 per tablet (Amitriptyline HCl 10 mg tablet) | $0.127 per tablet (Quetiapine fumarate 300 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -19% | -9% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 10 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 17,441 | 191,480 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Amitriptyline label, warningsIf concomitant use of amitriptyline hydrochloride with other serotonergic drugs, including triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, buspirone, tryptophan, and St. John’s Wort is clinically warranted, patients should be made aware of a potential increased risk for serotonin syndrome, particularly during treatment initiation and dose increases.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to amitriptyline
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions