Two medicines, side by side
Doxepin vs lorazepam
Doxepin and lorazepam are both labeled for anxiety. Drugs@FDA records approvals of doxepin since 1969 and of lorazepam since 1977. Pharmacies paid $0.0779 per doxepin 10 mg capsule and $0.0344 per lorazepam 0.5 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, doxepin is a tricyclic antidepressant and lorazepam a benzodiazepine.
Check it at the source: the doxepin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 30, 2025); the lorazepam FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 9, 2025).
Highlights of the doxepin record
Doxepin (Sinequan) · label of December 30, 2025
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 doxepin 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: indicationsDoxepin Hydrochloride is recommended for the treatment of: Psychoneurotic patients with depression and/or anxiety. Depression and/or anxiety associated with alcoholism (not to be taken concomitantly with alcohol). Depression and/or anxiety associated with organic disease (the possibility of drug interaction should be considered if the patient is receiving other drugs concomitantly). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 23, 1969
- Generic labelers
- 49 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0779 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Highlights of the lorazepam record
Lorazepam (Ativan) · label of July 9, 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: indicationsAtivan (lorazepam) is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety or anxiety associated with depressive symptoms. Anxiety or tension associated with the stress of everyday life usually does not require treatment with an anxiolytic. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 30, 1977
- Generic labelers
- 36 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0344 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 8
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Doxepin label of December 30, 2025, Lorazepam label of July 9, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do doxepin and lorazepam differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, doxepin is a tricyclic antidepressant and lorazepam a benzodiazepine.
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: doxepin since 1986; lorazepam since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: doxepin none; lorazepam CIV.
| Doxepin | Lorazepam | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Anxiety, Eczema (atopic dermatitis), Insomnia | Anxiety |
| Pharmacologic class | Tricyclic Antidepressant | Benzodiazepine |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The mean half-life of unconjugated lorazepam in human plasma is about 12 hours and for its major metabolite, lorazepam glucuronide, about 18 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | September 23, 1969 | September 30, 1977 |
| First generic approved | May 13, 1986 | December 10, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 49 labelers | 36 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0779 per capsule (Doxepin 10 mg capsule) | $0.0344 per tablet (Lorazepam 0.5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -9% | -18% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 8 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 12,554 | 178,731 |
| DEA schedule | none | CIV |
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?
Lorazepam label, warningsUse of benzodiazepines, including lorazepam, both used alone and in combination with other CNS depressants, may lead to potentially fatal respiratory depression (see PRECAUTIONS:
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to doxepin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions