Two medicines, side by side
Fluoxetine vs lorazepam
Fluoxetine and lorazepam are both labeled for anxiety. Drugs@FDA records approvals of fluoxetine since 1987 and of lorazepam since 1977. Pharmacies paid $0.0519 per fluoxetine HCl 40 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, fluoxetine is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and lorazepam a benzodiazepine.
Check it at the source: the fluoxetine FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 8, 2026); the lorazepam FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 9, 2025).
Highlights of the fluoxetine record
Fluoxetine (Prozac) · label of January 8, 2026
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies. These studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior with antidepressant use in patients over age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressant use in patients aged 65 and older [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )].
Used for
From the label: indicationsPROZAC ® is indicated for the treatment of: Acute and maintenance treatment of Major Depressive Disorder [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )]. Acute and maintenance treatment of obsessions and compulsions in patients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) [see Clinical Studies ( 14.2 )]. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 29, 1987
- Generic labelers
- 58 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0519 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
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 (Fluoxetine label of January 8, 2026, Lorazepam label of July 9, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do fluoxetine and lorazepam differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, fluoxetine is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and lorazepam a benzodiazepine.
Half-life, in each label's words: Fluoxetine, “Its mean terminal half-life after a single dose was 8.6 days and after multiple dosing was 9.3 days.”; 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: fluoxetine since 2001; lorazepam since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: fluoxetine none; lorazepam CIV.
| Fluoxetine | Lorazepam | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder | Anxiety |
| Pharmacologic class | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor | Benzodiazepine |
| How it works (label) | Although the exact mechanism of PROZAC is unknown, it is presumed to be linked to its inhibition of CNS neuronal uptake of serotonin. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | Its mean terminal half-life after a single dose was 8.6 days and after multiple dosing was 9.3 days. | 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) | December 29, 1987 | September 30, 1977 |
| First generic approved | August 2, 2001 | December 10, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 58 labelers | 36 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0519 per capsule (Fluoxetine HCl 40 mg capsule) | $0.0344 per tablet (Lorazepam 0.5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -20% | -18% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 9 | 8 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 131,827 | 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?
Fluoxetine label, warnings and precautionsSerotonin syndrome has been reported with SSRIs and SNRIs, including PROZAC, both when taken alone, but especially when co-administered with other serotonergic agents.
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 fluoxetine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions