Two medicines, side by side
Clonazepam vs sertraline
Clonazepam and sertraline are both labeled for anxiety. Drugs@FDA records approvals of clonazepam since 1975 and of sertraline since 1991. Pharmacies paid $0.0244 per clonazepam 1 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, clonazepam is a benzodiazepine and sertraline a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the clonazepam FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 1, 2025); the sertraline FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 8, 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 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 (Clonazepam label of December 1, 2025, Sertraline label of August 8, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do clonazepam and sertraline differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, clonazepam is a benzodiazepine and sertraline a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
Half-life, in each label's words: Clonazepam, “The elimination half-life of clonazepam is typically 30 to 40 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: clonazepam since 1996; sertraline since 2006 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: clonazepam CIV; sertraline none.
| Clonazepam | Sertraline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Seizures and epilepsy, Anxiety | Depression, Anxiety |
| Pharmacologic class | Benzodiazepine | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Sertraline potentiates serotonergic activity in the central nervous system through inhibition of neuronal reuptake of serotonin (5-HT). |
| Half-life (label) | The elimination half-life of clonazepam is typically 30 to 40 hours. | The average terminal elimination half-life of plasma sertraline is about 26 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | June 4, 1975 | December 30, 1991 |
| First generic approved | September 10, 1996 | June 30, 2006 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 31 labelers | 47 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0244 per tablet (Clonazepam 1 mg tablet) | $0.0507 per tablet (Sertraline HCl 100 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -14% | -3% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | In shortage | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 7 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 159,283 | 218,311 |
| 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Clonazepam label, drug interactionsThe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors sertraline (weak CYP3A4 inducer) and fluoxetine (CYP2D6 inhibitor), and the anti-epileptic drug felbamate (CYP2C19 inhibitor and CYP3A4 inducer) do not affect the pharmacokinetics of clonazepam.
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 clonazepam
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions