Two medicines, side by side
Nortriptyline vs citalopram
Nortriptyline and citalopram are both labeled for depression. Drugs@FDA records approvals of nortriptyline since 1964 and of citalopram since 1998. Pharmacies paid $0.113 per nortriptyline HCl 10 mg capsule and $0.026 per citalopram hbr 10 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026). In FDA's classes, nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant and citalopram a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the nortriptyline FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 4, 2024); the citalopram FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 9, 2023).
Highlights of the nortriptyline record
Nortriptyline (Pamelor) · label of December 4, 2024
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 nortriptyline 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: indicationsPamelor™ (nortriptyline HCl) is indicated for the relief of symptoms of depression. Endogenous depressions are more likely to be alleviated than are other depressive states.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 6, 1964
- Generic labelers
- 25 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.113 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Highlights of the citalopram record
Citalopram (Celexa) · label of October 9, 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 m onitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. CELEXA is not approved for use in pediatric patients [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 )].
Used for
From the label: indicationsCELEXA is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )]. CELEXA is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults ( 1 ).
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 17, 1998
- Generic labelers
- 35 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.026 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Nortriptyline label of December 4, 2024, Citalopram label of October 9, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do nortriptyline and citalopram differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant and citalopram a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: nortriptyline since 1992; citalopram since 2004 (Drugs@FDA).
| Nortriptyline | Citalopram | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression | Depression |
| Pharmacologic class | Tricyclic Antidepressant | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | n/a | The mechanism of action of citalopram is unclear, but is presumed to be related to potentiation of serotonergic activity in the central nervous system (CNS) resulting from its inhibition of CNS neuronal reuptake of serotonin (5-HT). |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Biotransformation of citalopram is mainly hepatic, with a mean terminal half-life of about 35 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 6, 1964 | July 17, 1998 |
| First generic approved | March 30, 1992 | October 28, 2004 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 25 labelers | 35 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.113 per capsule (Nortriptyline HCl 10 mg capsule) | $0.026 per tablet (Citalopram hbr 10 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -2% | +6% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 5,761 | 136,040 |
| 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?
Nortriptyline label, warningsIf concomitant use of Pamelor with other serotonergic drugs, including triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, buspirone, tryptophan, and St. John’s Wort is clinically warranted, patients should be made aware of a potential increased risk for serotonin syndrome, particularly during treatment initiation and dose increases.
Citalopram label, drug interactionsConcomitant use of CELEXA 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.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to nortriptyline
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions