Two medicines, side by side
Clonazepam vs escitalopram
Clonazepam and escitalopram are both labeled for anxiety. Drugs@FDA records approvals of clonazepam since 1975 and of escitalopram since 2002. Pharmacies paid $0.0244 per clonazepam 1 mg tablet and $0.0632 per escitalopram 20 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, clonazepam is a benzodiazepine and escitalopram a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the clonazepam FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 1, 2025); the escitalopram FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 1, 2023).
Highlights of the clonazepam record
Clonazepam (Klonopin) · label of December 1, 2025
RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH OPIOIDS; ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION; and DEPENDENCE AND WITHDRAWAL REACTIONS Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required.
Used for
From the label: indicationsSeizure Disorders Klonopin is useful alone or as an adjunct in the treatment of the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (petit mal variant), akinetic, and myoclonic seizures. In patients with absence seizures (petit mal) who have failed to respond to succinimides, Klonopin may be useful. Some loss of effect may occur during the course of clonazepam treatment (see PRECAUTIONS: Loss of Effect ). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 4, 1975
- Generic labelers
- 31 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0244 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 7
Highlights of the escitalopram record
Escitalopram (Lexapro) · label of October 1, 2023
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors 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 )]. Lexapro is not approved for use in pediatric patients less than 7 years of age [ s ee Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 )].
Used for
From the label: indicationsLexapro is indicated for the treatment of: • major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older. • generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults and pediatric patients 7 years of age and older. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 14, 2002
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0632 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Clonazepam label of December 1, 2025, Escitalopram label of October 1, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do clonazepam and escitalopram differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, clonazepam is a benzodiazepine and escitalopram a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
Half-life, in each label's words: Clonazepam, “The elimination half-life of clonazepam is typically 30 to 40 hours.”; Escitalopram, “Elimination Biotransformation of escitalopram is mainly hepatic, with a mean terminal half-life of about 27-32 hours.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: clonazepam since 1996; escitalopram since 2007 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: clonazepam CIV; escitalopram none.
| Clonazepam | Escitalopram | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Seizures and epilepsy, Anxiety | Depression, Anxiety |
| Pharmacologic class | Benzodiazepine | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | n/a | The mechanism of antidepressant action of escitalopram, the S-enantiomer of racemic citalopram, is presumed to be linked to potentiation of serotonergic activity in the central nervous system (CNS) resulting from its inhibition of CNS … |
| Half-life (label) | The elimination half-life of clonazepam is typically 30 to 40 hours. | Elimination Biotransformation of escitalopram is mainly hepatic, with a mean terminal half-life of about 27-32 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | June 4, 1975 | August 14, 2002 |
| First generic approved | September 10, 1996 | July 31, 2007 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 31 labelers | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0244 per tablet (Clonazepam 1 mg tablet) | $0.0632 per tablet (Escitalopram 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -14% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | In shortage | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 7 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 159,283 | 139,519 |
| DEA schedule | CIV | 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?
Escitalopram label, drug interactionsConcomitant use of Lexapro and other serotonergic drugs (including other SSRIs, SNRIs, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, opioids, lithium, buspirone, amphetamines, tryptophan, and St. John's Wort) increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to clonazepam
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions