Two medicines, side by side
Mirtazapine vs sertraline
Mirtazapine and sertraline are both labeled for depression. Drugs@FDA records approvals of mirtazapine since 1996 and of sertraline since 1991. Pharmacies paid $0.063 per mirtazapine 15 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.
Check it at the source: the mirtazapine FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 6, 2025); the sertraline FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 8, 2023).
Highlights of the mirtazapine record
Mirtazapine (Remeron) · label of August 6, 2025
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) ]. REMERON/REMERONSolTab is not approved for use in pediatric patients [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsREMERON/REMERONSolTab are indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults [see Clinical Studies (14) ]. REMERON/REMERONSolTab is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 14, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 36 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.063 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
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 (Mirtazapine label of August 6, 2025, Sertraline label of August 8, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do mirtazapine and sertraline differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Mirtazapine, “The mechanism of action of mirtazapine for the treatment of major depressive disorder, is unclear.”; Sertraline, “Sertraline potentiates serotonergic activity in the central nervous system through inhibition of neuronal reuptake of serotonin (5-HT).”
Half-life, in each label's words: Mirtazapine, “Elimination Mirtazapine has a half-life of about 20 to 40 hours following oral administration of REMERON or …”; 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: mirtazapine since 2003; sertraline since 2006 (Drugs@FDA).
| Mirtazapine | Sertraline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression | Depression, Anxiety |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | The mechanism of action of mirtazapine for the treatment of major depressive disorder, is unclear. | Sertraline potentiates serotonergic activity in the central nervous system through inhibition of neuronal reuptake of serotonin (5-HT). |
| Half-life (label) | Elimination Mirtazapine has a half-life of about 20 to 40 hours following oral administration of REMERON or REMERONSolTab. | The average terminal elimination half-life of plasma sertraline is about 26 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | June 14, 1996 | December 30, 1991 |
| First generic approved | January 24, 2003 | June 30, 2006 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 36 labelers | 47 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.063 per tablet (Mirtazapine 15 mg tablet) | $0.0507 per tablet (Sertraline HCl 100 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | -3% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 91,057 | 218,311 |
| DEA schedule | none | 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?
Mirtazapine label, warnings and precautionsIncreased risk when co-administered with other serotonergic drugs (e.g., SSRI, SNRI, triptans), but also when taken alone.
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 mirtazapine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions