Two medicines, side by side
Vilazodone vs sertraline
Vilazodone and sertraline are both labeled for depression. Drugs@FDA records approvals of vilazodone since 2011 and of sertraline since 1991. Pharmacies paid $0.732 per vilazodone HCl 10 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 vilazodone FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 22, 2024); the sertraline FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 8, 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 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 (Vilazodone label of May 22, 2024, Sertraline label of August 8, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do vilazodone and sertraline 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 …”; 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: Vilazodone, “Elimination of vilazodone is primarily by hepatic metabolism with a terminal half-life of approximately 25 hours.”; 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: vilazodone since 2019; sertraline since 2006 (Drugs@FDA).
| Vilazodone | Sertraline | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 … | Sertraline potentiates serotonergic activity in the central nervous system through inhibition of neuronal reuptake of serotonin (5-HT). |
| Half-life (label) | Elimination of vilazodone is primarily by hepatic metabolism with a terminal half-life of approximately 25 hours. | The average terminal elimination half-life of plasma sertraline is about 26 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | January 21, 2011 | December 30, 1991 |
| First generic approved | September 30, 2019 | June 30, 2006 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 12 labelers | 47 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.732 per tablet (Vilazodone HCl 10 mg tablet) | $0.0507 per tablet (Sertraline HCl 100 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -29% | -3% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 9,170 | 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?
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.
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 vilazodone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions