{"id":2918,"date":"2020-01-07T09:03:56","date_gmt":"2020-01-07T14:03:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=2918"},"modified":"2026-02-17T14:26:27","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T19:26:27","slug":"zoloft-vs-prozac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/zoloft-vs-prozac\/","title":{"rendered":"Compare Prozac vs. Zoloft"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are living with depression, your healthcare provider may recommend an <\/span>SSRI medication<\/span><\/a> to help manage symptoms. SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, increase serotonin levels in the brain, which may help improve mood and feelings of well-being. <\/span>Zoloft (sertraline)<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Prozac (fluoxetine)<\/span><\/a> are two SSRIs that can treat depression in addition to other mental health conditions. Although these antidepressants work similarly, Zoloft and Prozac have different uses and side effects.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Quick comparison: Zoloft vs. Prozac<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Drug information<\/b><\/td>\nZoloft<\/b><\/td>\nProzac<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/span><\/td>\nSSRI<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Generic status<\/span><\/td>\nBrand and generic versions available<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the generic name?<\/span><\/td>\nSertraline<\/span><\/td>\nFluoxetine<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What forms does the drug come in?<\/span><\/td>\nOral tablet<\/span><\/p>\n

Oral solution<\/span><\/td>\n

Oral tablet<\/span><\/p>\n

Oral solution<\/span><\/p>\n

Oral capsule<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

What is the standard dosage?<\/span><\/td>\n50-200 mg per day<\/span><\/td>\n20-60 mg per day<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How long is the typical treatment?<\/span><\/td>\nVaries<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/span><\/td>\nAdults and children, depending on the condition being treated<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Approved uses<\/span><\/td>\nDepression<\/span><\/p>\n

OCD<\/span><\/p>\n

Panic disorder<\/span><\/p>\n

PTSD<\/span><\/p>\n

Social anxiety<\/span><\/p>\n

PMDD<\/span><\/td>\n

Depression<\/span><\/p>\n

OCD<\/span><\/p>\n

Panic disorder<\/span><\/p>\n

Bulimia<\/span><\/p>\n

PMDD<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Insurance coverage<\/span><\/td>\nGeneric typically covered<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cost without insurance<\/span><\/td>\n$555 for 30, 50 mg tablets for brand-name Zoloft<\/span><\/td>\n$520 for 30, 20 mg capsules for brand-name Prozac<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cost with SingleCare<\/span><\/td>\n$9 for 30, 50 mg tablets at Kroger or Harris Teeter<\/span><\/td>\n$7 for 30, 20 mg capsules at Kroger or Harris Teeter<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Main difference between Zoloft and Prozac<\/span><\/h2>\n

A primary difference between Prozac and Zoloft is the conditions they are approved to treat. Both are approved to treat depression, OCD, PMDD, and panic disorder; however, each medication has several other indications and off-label uses.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Zoloft vs. Prozac uses<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Indications<\/b><\/td>\nZoloft<\/b><\/td>\nProzac<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Depression<\/span><\/td>\nApproved use<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
OCD<\/span><\/td>\nApproved use<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Panic disorder<\/span><\/td>\nApproved use<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)<\/span><\/td>\nApproved use<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bulimia nervosa<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nApproved use<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Binge eating disorder<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Body dysmorphic disorder<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PTSD<\/span><\/td>\nApproved use<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Social anxiety disorder<\/span><\/td>\nApproved use<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Generalized anxiety disorder<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Premature ejaculation<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Borderline personality disorder<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Raynaud phenomenon<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Selective mutism<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Note: Prozac can be used to treat bipolar depression or treatment-resistant depression when used in combination with olanzapine. However, this article focuses on Prozac alone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is Zoloft better than Prozac?<\/span><\/h2>\n

As SSRIs, both drugs are considered safe and effective for treating depression and other mental health conditions. SSRIs are often used as a <\/span>first choice for treatment<\/span><\/a> because they are safe and effective.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Because individuals may have different symptoms and respond to medications differently, one SSRI may be more suitable than another. Consult a healthcare professional to determine which SSRI will give you the best results. Sometimes, it is a matter of trial and error. Always consult your healthcare provider before switching from Zoloft to Prozac or another antidepressant.<\/span><\/p>\n

SingleCare prescription fill data shows slightly more prescription fills for generic Prozac (fluoxetine) than generic Zoloft (sertraline) in 2025, but that does not mean that Prozac is better than Zoloft.<\/span>
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