Two medicines, side by side
Aripiprazole vs sertraline
Aripiprazole and sertraline are both labeled for depression. Drugs@FDA records approvals of aripiprazole since 2002 and of sertraline since 1991. Pharmacies paid $0.110 per aripiprazole 5 mg tablet and $0.0507 per sertraline HCl 100 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic and sertraline a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the aripiprazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 29, 2025); the sertraline FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 8, 2023).
Highlights of the aripiprazole record
Aripiprazole (Abilify) · label of January 29, 2025
INCREASED MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED PSYCHOSIS and SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS WITH ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. ABILIFY is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsABILIFY (aripiprazole) Tablets are indicated for the treatment of: Schizophrenia Acute Treatment of Manic and Mixed Episodes associated with Bipolar I Disorder Adjunctive Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder Irritability Associated with Autistic Disorder Treatment of Tourette's Disorder ABILIFY is an atypical antipsychotic. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 15, 2002
- Generic labelers
- 47 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.110 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 25
Highlights of the sertraline record
Sertraline (Zoloft) · label of August 8, 2023
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in pediatric and young adult patients in short-term studies. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors [See Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.
Used for
From the label: indicationsZOLOFT is indicated for the treatment of the following [See Clinical Studies (14) ]: • Major depressive disorder (MDD) • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) • Panic disorder (PD) • Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) • Social anxiety disorder (SAD) • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) ZOLOFT is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) indicated for the treatment of ( 1 ): • Major depressive disorder […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 30, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 47 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0507 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Aripiprazole label of January 29, 2025, Sertraline label of August 8, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do aripiprazole and sertraline differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic and sertraline a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
How each works, in its label's words: Aripiprazole, “The mechanism of action of aripiprazole in schizophrenia or bipolar mania, is unclear.”; Sertraline, “Sertraline potentiates serotonergic activity in the central nervous system through inhibition of neuronal reuptake of serotonin (5-HT).”
Half-life, in each label's words: Aripiprazole, “For CYP2D6 poor metabolizers, the mean elimination half-life for aripiprazole is about 146 hours.”; Sertraline, “The average terminal elimination half-life of plasma sertraline is about 26 hours.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: aripiprazole since 2015; sertraline since 2006 (Drugs@FDA).
| Aripiprazole | Sertraline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia | Depression, Anxiety |
| Pharmacologic class | Atypical Antipsychotic | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | The mechanism of action of aripiprazole in schizophrenia or bipolar mania, is unclear. | Sertraline potentiates serotonergic activity in the central nervous system through inhibition of neuronal reuptake of serotonin (5-HT). |
| Half-life (label) | For CYP2D6 poor metabolizers, the mean elimination half-life for aripiprazole is about 146 hours. | The average terminal elimination half-life of plasma sertraline is about 26 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 15, 2002 | December 30, 1991 |
| First generic approved | April 28, 2015 | June 30, 2006 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 47 labelers | 47 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.110 per tablet (Aripiprazole 5 mg tablet) | $0.0507 per tablet (Sertraline HCl 100 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +3% | -3% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 25 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 121,736 | 218,311 |
| 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Aripiprazole label, drug interactionsAdditionally, no dosage adjustment is necessary for valproate, lithium, lamotrigine, lorazepam, or sertraline when coadministered with ABILIFY [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
Aripiprazole label, drug interactionsAdditionally, no dosage adjustment is necessary for valproate, lithium, lamotrigine, lorazepam, or sertraline when coadministered with ABILIFY MAINTENA. [See Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Sertraline label, warnings and precautionsIncreased risk when co-administered with other serotonergic agents, but also when taken alone.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to aripiprazole
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions