Two medicines, side by side
Escitalopram vs lorazepam
Escitalopram and lorazepam are both labeled for anxiety. Drugs@FDA records approvals of escitalopram since 2002 and of lorazepam since 1977. Pharmacies paid $0.0632 per escitalopram 20 mg tablet 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, escitalopram is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and lorazepam a benzodiazepine.
Check it at the source: the escitalopram FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 1, 2023); the lorazepam FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 9, 2025).
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
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 (Escitalopram label of October 1, 2023, Lorazepam label of July 9, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do escitalopram and lorazepam differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, escitalopram is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and lorazepam a benzodiazepine.
Half-life, in each label's words: Escitalopram, “Elimination Biotransformation of escitalopram is mainly hepatic, with a mean terminal half-life of about 27-32 hours.”; Lorazepam, “The mean half-life of unconjugated lorazepam in human plasma is about 12 hours and for its major metabolite, lorazepam …”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: escitalopram since 2007; lorazepam since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: escitalopram none; lorazepam CIV.
| Escitalopram | Lorazepam | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Anxiety | Anxiety |
| Pharmacologic class | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor | Benzodiazepine |
| How it works (label) | 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 … | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | Elimination Biotransformation of escitalopram is mainly hepatic, with a mean terminal half-life of about 27-32 hours. | 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) | August 14, 2002 | September 30, 1977 |
| First generic approved | July 31, 2007 | December 10, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 43 labelers | 36 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0632 per tablet (Escitalopram 20 mg tablet) | $0.0344 per tablet (Lorazepam 0.5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | -18% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 8 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 139,519 | 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?
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.
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 escitalopram
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions