Two medicines, side by side
Diazepam vs escitalopram
Diazepam and escitalopram are both labeled for anxiety. Drugs@FDA records approvals of diazepam since 1963 and of escitalopram since 2002. Pharmacies paid $0.0283 per diazepam 10 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, diazepam is a benzodiazepine and escitalopram a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the diazepam FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 11, 2026); the escitalopram FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 1, 2023).
Highlights of the diazepam record
Diazepam (Valium) · label of August 11, 2026
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 in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required.
Used for
From the label: indicationsValium is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or for the short- term relief of the symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety or tension associated with the stress of everyday life usually does not require treatment with an anxiolytic. In acute alcohol withdrawal, Valium may be useful in the symptomatic relief of acute agitation, tremor, impending or acute delirium tremens and hallucinosis. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 15, 1963
- Generic labelers
- 45 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0283 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 8
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 (Diazepam label of August 11, 2026, Escitalopram label of October 1, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do diazepam and escitalopram differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, diazepam is a benzodiazepine and escitalopram a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
Half-life, in each label's words: Diazepam, “The initial distribution phase has a half-life of approximately 1 hour, although it may range up to >3 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: diazepam since 1985; escitalopram since 2007 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: diazepam CIV; escitalopram none.
| Diazepam | Escitalopram | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Anxiety, Muscle spasms and spasticity | 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 initial distribution phase has a half-life of approximately 1 hour, although it may range up to >3 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) | November 15, 1963 | August 14, 2002 |
| First generic approved | September 4, 1985 | July 31, 2007 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 45 labelers | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0283 per tablet (Diazepam 10 mg tablet) | $0.0632 per tablet (Escitalopram 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -5% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 8 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 121,010 | 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?
Diazepam label, drug interactionsCentrally Acting Agents If Valium is to be combined with other centrally acting agents, careful consideration should be given to the pharmacology of the agents employed particularly with compounds that may potentiate or be potentiated by the action of Valium, such as phenothiazines, antipsychotics, anxiolytics/sedatives, hypnotics, anticonvulsants, narcotic analgesics, anesthetics, sedative antihistamines …
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 diazepam
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions