Two medicines, side by side
Sertraline vs quetiapine
Sertraline and quetiapine are both labeled for depression. Drugs@FDA records approvals of sertraline since 1991 and of quetiapine since 1997. Pharmacies paid $0.0507 per sertraline HCl 100 mg tablet and $0.127 per quetiapine fumarate 300 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 quetiapine an atypical antipsychotic.
Check it at the source: the sertraline FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 8, 2023); the quetiapine FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 10, 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 quetiapine record
Quetiapine (Seroquel) · label of April 10, 2026
INCREASED MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED PSYCHOSIS; and SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS 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 [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. SEROQUEL is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsSEROQUEL is an atypical antipsychotic indicated for the treatment of: • Schizophrenia ( 1.1 ) • Bipolar I disorder manic episodes (1.2) • Bipolar disorder, depressive episodes (1.2) 1.1 Schizophrenia SEROQUEL is indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia. The efficacy of SEROQUEL in schizophrenia was established in three 6-week trials in adults and one 6-week trial in adolescents (13-17 years). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 26, 1997
- Generic labelers
- 48 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.127 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 10
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Sertraline label of August 8, 2023, Quetiapine label of April 10, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do sertraline and quetiapine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, sertraline is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and quetiapine 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).”; Quetiapine, “The mechanism of action of quetiapine 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.”; Quetiapine, “Elimination of quetiapine is mainly via hepatic metabolism with a mean terminal half-life of about 6 hours within the …”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: sertraline since 2006; quetiapine since 2012 (Drugs@FDA).
| Sertraline | Quetiapine | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 quetiapine in the listed indications is unclear. However, the efficacy of quetiapine in these indications could be mediated through a combination of dopamine type 2 (D 2 ) and serotonin type 2 (5HT 2 ) antagonism. |
| Half-life (label) | The average terminal elimination half-life of plasma sertraline is about 26 hours. | Elimination of quetiapine is mainly via hepatic metabolism with a mean terminal half-life of about 6 hours within the proposed clinical dose range. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 30, 1991 | September 26, 1997 |
| First generic approved | June 30, 2006 | March 27, 2012 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 47 labelers | 48 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0507 per tablet (Sertraline HCl 100 mg tablet) | $0.127 per tablet (Quetiapine fumarate 300 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | -9% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 3 | 10 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 218,311 | 191,480 |
| 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