Two medicines, side by side
Sertraline vs olanzapine
Sertraline and olanzapine are both labeled for depression. Drugs@FDA records approvals of sertraline since 1991 and of olanzapine since 1996. Pharmacies paid $0.0507 per sertraline HCl 100 mg tablet and $0.147 per olanzapine 20 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, sertraline is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and olanzapine an atypical antipsychotic.
Check it at the source: the sertraline FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 8, 2023); the olanzapine FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 5, 2026).
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
Highlights of the olanzapine record
Olanzapine (Zyprexa) · label of March 5, 2026
INCREASED MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED PSYCHOSIS Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Analyses of seventeen placebo-controlled trials (modal duration of 10 weeks), largely in patients taking atypical antipsychotic drugs, revealed a risk of death in drug-treated patients of between 1.6 to 1.7 times the risk of death in placebo-treated patients.
Used for
From the label: indicationsOlanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic indicated: As oral formulation for the: · Treatment of schizophrenia. ( 1.1 ) · Adults: Efficacy was established in three clinical trials in patients with schizophrenia: two 6-week trials and one maintenance trial. ( 14.1 ) · Adolescents (ages 13-17): Efficacy was established in one 6-week trial in patients with schizophrenia ( 14.1 ). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 30, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.147 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 14
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Sertraline label of August 8, 2023, Olanzapine label of March 5, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do sertraline and olanzapine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, sertraline is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and olanzapine an atypical antipsychotic.
How each works, in its label's words: Sertraline, “Sertraline potentiates serotonergic activity in the central nervous system through inhibition of neuronal reuptake of serotonin (5-HT).”; Olanzapine, “The mechanism of action of olanzapine, in the listed indications is unclear.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Sertraline, “The average terminal elimination half-life of plasma sertraline is about 26 hours.”; Olanzapine, “Its half-life ranges from 21 to 54 hours (5th to 95th percentile; mean of 30 hr), and apparent plasma clearance ranges …”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: sertraline since 2006; olanzapine since 2011 (Drugs@FDA).
| Sertraline | Olanzapine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Anxiety | Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, Depression |
| Pharmacologic class | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor | Atypical Antipsychotic |
| How it works (label) | Sertraline potentiates serotonergic activity in the central nervous system through inhibition of neuronal reuptake of serotonin (5-HT). | The mechanism of action of olanzapine, in the listed indications is unclear. However, the efficacy of olanzapine in schizophrenia could be mediated through a combination of dopamine and serotonin type 2 (5HT 2 ) antagonism. |
| Half-life (label) | The average terminal elimination half-life of plasma sertraline is about 26 hours. | Its half-life ranges from 21 to 54 hours (5th to 95th percentile; mean of 30 hr), and apparent plasma clearance ranges from 12 to 47 L/hr (5th to 95th percentile; mean of 25 L/hr). |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 30, 1991 | September 30, 1996 |
| First generic approved | June 30, 2006 | October 24, 2011 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 47 labelers | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0507 per tablet (Sertraline HCl 100 mg tablet) | $0.147 per tablet (Olanzapine 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | -5% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 3 | 14 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 218,311 | 107,881 |
| 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?
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 sertraline
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions