Two medicines, side by side
Vilazodone vs escitalopram
Vilazodone and escitalopram are both labeled for depression. Drugs@FDA records approvals of vilazodone since 2011 and of escitalopram since 2002. Pharmacies paid $0.732 per vilazodone HCl 10 mg tablet and $0.0632 per escitalopram 20 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the vilazodone FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 22, 2024); the escitalopram FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 1, 2023).
Highlights of the vilazodone record
Vilazodone (Viibryd) · label of May 22, 2024
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 )]. Vilazodone hydrochloride tablets are not approved for use in pediatric patients [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsVilazodone hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )]. Vilazodone hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 21, 2011
- Generic labelers
- 12 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.732 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the escitalopram record
Escitalopram (Lexapro) · label of October 1, 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 monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. Lexapro is not approved for use in pediatric patients less than 7 years of age [ s ee Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 )].
Used for
From the label: indicationsLexapro is indicated for the treatment of: • major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older. • generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults and pediatric patients 7 years of age and older. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 14, 2002
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0632 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Vilazodone label of May 22, 2024, Escitalopram label of October 1, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do vilazodone and escitalopram differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Vilazodone, “The mechanism of action of vilazodone in the treatment of major depressive disorder is not fully understood, but is thought to be related to its enhancement of serotonergic activity in the CNS …”; Escitalopram, “The mechanism of antidepressant action of escitalopram, the S-enantiomer of racemic citalopram, is presumed to be linked to potentiation of serotonergic activity in the central nervous system (CNS) …”
Half-life, in each label's words: Vilazodone, “Elimination of vilazodone is primarily by hepatic metabolism with a terminal half-life of approximately 25 hours.”; Escitalopram, “Elimination Biotransformation of escitalopram is mainly hepatic, with a mean terminal half-life of about 27-32 hours.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: vilazodone since 2019; escitalopram since 2007 (Drugs@FDA).
| Vilazodone | Escitalopram | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression | Depression, Anxiety |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | The mechanism of action of vilazodone in the treatment of major depressive disorder is not fully understood, but is thought to be related to its enhancement of serotonergic activity in the CNS through selective inhibition of serotonin … | The mechanism of antidepressant action of escitalopram, the S-enantiomer of racemic citalopram, is presumed to be linked to potentiation of serotonergic activity in the central nervous system (CNS) resulting from its inhibition of CNS … |
| Half-life (label) | Elimination of vilazodone is primarily by hepatic metabolism with a terminal half-life of approximately 25 hours. | Elimination Biotransformation of escitalopram is mainly hepatic, with a mean terminal half-life of about 27-32 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | January 21, 2011 | August 14, 2002 |
| First generic approved | September 30, 2019 | July 31, 2007 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 12 labelers | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.732 per tablet (Vilazodone HCl 10 mg tablet) | $0.0632 per tablet (Escitalopram 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -29% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 9,170 | 139,519 |
| 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?
Vilazodone label, drug interactionsOther Serotonergic Drugs Concomitant use of vilazodone hydrochloride with 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.
Escitalopram label, drug interactionsConcomitant use of Lexapro 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 vilazodone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions