Two medicines, side by side
Lorazepam vs sertraline
Lorazepam and sertraline are both labeled for anxiety. Drugs@FDA records approvals of lorazepam since 1977 and of sertraline since 1991. Pharmacies paid $0.0344 per lorazepam 0.5 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, lorazepam is a benzodiazepine and sertraline a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the lorazepam FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 9, 2025); the sertraline FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 8, 2023).
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
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 (Lorazepam label of July 9, 2025, Sertraline label of August 8, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do lorazepam and sertraline differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, lorazepam is a benzodiazepine and sertraline a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
Half-life, in each label's words: Lorazepam, “The mean half-life of unconjugated lorazepam in human plasma is about 12 hours and for its major metabolite, lorazepam …”; 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: lorazepam since 1985; sertraline since 2006 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: lorazepam CIV; sertraline none.
| Lorazepam | Sertraline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | 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 mean half-life of unconjugated lorazepam in human plasma is about 12 hours and for its major metabolite, lorazepam glucuronide, about 18 hours. | The average terminal elimination half-life of plasma sertraline is about 26 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | September 30, 1977 | December 30, 1991 |
| First generic approved | December 10, 1985 | June 30, 2006 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 36 labelers | 47 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0344 per tablet (Lorazepam 0.5 mg tablet) | $0.0507 per tablet (Sertraline HCl 100 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -18% | -3% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | In shortage | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 8 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 178,731 | 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)
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:
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 lorazepam
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions