Luvox vs. Sertraline

See how Luvox and Sertraline compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Luvox is FDA-approved only for obsessive-compulsive disorder, while sertraline is approved for six conditions including depression, PTSD, and panic disorder.

  • Both drugs commonly cause nausea and insomnia, but Luvox is more likely to cause somnolence and headache, while sertraline is more likely to cause sexual side effects.

  • Luvox strongly inhibits the liver enzyme CYP1A2, causing more drug interactions than sertraline, including with caffeine, theophylline, and clozapine.

Luvox vs. Sertraline Drug Summary

Luvox

Luvox (fluvoxamine) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) approved to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults and children ages 8 and older. It comes as an oral tablet, with the dose increased gradually until OCD symptoms improve. Doctors sometimes prescribe it off-label for depression or anxiety disorders, though this use is not FDA-approved.

Sertraline

Sertraline, sold under the brand name Zoloft, is an SSRI approved for six psychiatric conditions, including depression, OCD, panic disorder, PTSD, social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. It comes as a once-daily oral tablet, started at a low dose and increased as needed based on response and tolerability.

Luvox vs. Sertraline Side Effects

Luvox

Most common
nausea (up to 40%)
insomnia (up to 35%)
headache (up to 35%)
somnolence (up to 27%)

Sertraline

Most common
nausea (up to 26%)
insomnia (up to 21%)
diarrhea (up to 20%)
ejaculation failure (up to 14%)

Luvox vs. Sertraline Dosage

Luvox

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 25 mg once daily At the start
Maximum dose 50 mg once daily Days 1-7
Dose changes 1 increase As tolerated

Sertraline

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 50 mg once daily At the start
Maximum dose 200 mg once daily If needed
Dose changes 3 increases As tolerated

Luvox vs. Sertraline Indications

Luvox

Luvox is FDA-approved only for obsessive-compulsive disorder, in both adults and children ages 8 to 17. It is sometimes prescribed off-label for depression, social anxiety disorder, or panic disorder, though these uses fall outside its approved labeling.

  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults

  • OCD in children and adolescents ages 8-17

  • Off-label: major depressive disorder

  • Off-label: social anxiety disorder

  • Off-label: panic disorder

Sertraline

Sertraline carries FDA approval for six conditions, more than most other SSRIs, including major depressive disorder, OCD, panic disorder, PTSD, social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. This broad approval makes it a common first-choice option for a range of mood and anxiety disorders.

  • Major depressive disorder (MDD)

  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

  • Panic disorder

  • Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

  • Social anxiety disorder

Luvox vs. Sertraline Pros and Cons

Luvox

Luvox has decades of clinical use specifically for OCD, but its FDA approval does not extend to depression or other anxiety disorders the way sertraline's does. It also has more pronounced effects on the liver enzyme CYP1A2, raising the risk of interactions with common substances like caffeine.

Pros

  • FDA-approved for OCD in children as young as age 8

  • Long clinical track record specifically for OCD symptom control

  • Generic extended-release capsule available for once-daily dosing

Cons

  • FDA-approved only for OCD; other uses are off-label

  • Strong inhibitor of CYP1A2, causing interactions with caffeine, theophylline, and clozapine

  • Higher reported rates of nausea, somnolence, and asthenia than sertraline

Sertraline

Sertraline's broad FDA approval across six conditions gives prescribers more flexibility than fluvoxamine offers, and its drug interaction profile is generally more manageable. Its side effect profile, including sexual dysfunction, is a common reason patients consider switching medications.

Pros

  • FDA-approved for six conditions, including depression, PTSD, and PMDD

  • Fewer significant CYP450 drug interactions than fluvoxamine

  • Simpler titration schedule with fewer dose-adjustment steps

Cons

  • Sexual side effects, including ejaculation failure, reported in up to 14% of men

  • Not studied for OCD as extensively as fluvoxamine over the years

  • Available in multiple forms (tablet, capsule, liquid) that can complicate dosing consistency

Common Symptoms and Related Diseases You Can Explore

Explore a range of common symptoms the Doctronic Symptom Checker can help you understand.