Zoloft vs. Luvox
See how Zoloft and Luvox compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Zoloft is FDA-approved for six conditions including depression, OCD, panic disorder, PTSD, social anxiety, and PMDD, while Luvox is approved only for OCD.
Both drugs share nausea, insomnia, and diarrhea as common side effects, with Luvox generally showing higher rates for these.
Zoloft uses simple once-daily dosing, while Luvox often requires splitting doses into two at higher amounts for OCD.
Zoloft vs. Luvox Drug Summary
Zoloft
Zoloft (sertraline) is an SSRI antidepressant approved by the FDA for depression, OCD, panic disorder, PTSD, social anxiety disorder, and PMDD. It's taken as a tablet or oral solution once a day, usually starting at 25-50 mg and adjusted weekly.
Luvox
Luvox (fluvoxamine) is an SSRI approved by the FDA only for obsessive-compulsive disorder, in adults and children age 8 and up. It's taken as a tablet once or twice a day, starting low and split into two doses at higher amounts.
Zoloft vs. Luvox Side Effects
Zoloft
Luvox
Zoloft vs. Luvox Dosage
Zoloft
Luvox
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 25 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 200 mg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 4 increases | As tolerated |
| 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 |
Zoloft
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 25 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 200 mg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 4 increases | As tolerated |
Luvox
| 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 |
Zoloft vs. Luvox Indications
Zoloft
Zoloft is FDA-approved for six mental health conditions, more than most SSRIs. It treats depression, OCD in adults and children, panic disorder, PTSD, social anxiety, and PMDD.
Major depressive disorder (MDD)
OCD in adults and children 6 and up
Panic disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
Luvox
Luvox is FDA-approved only for obsessive-compulsive disorder, in adults and children as young as 8. It is often prescribed off-label for depression, social anxiety, and panic disorder.
OCD in adults
OCD in children ages 8 to 17
Off-label: major depressive disorder
Off-label: panic disorder
Off-label: social anxiety disorder
Zoloft vs. Luvox Pros and Cons
Zoloft
Zoloft has the broadest FDA-approved indication list of any SSRI, covering depression, OCD, and several anxiety disorders. As a decades-old generic, it is stocked at nearly every pharmacy and accepted by nearly all insurance plans.
Pros
FDA-approved for six conditions: depression, OCD, panic disorder, PTSD, social anxiety, and PMDD
Approved for OCD in children as young as 6, a broader pediatric range than Luvox
Simple once-daily dosing that doesn't need to be split into multiple doses
Cons
Sexual side effects like ejaculation failure and decreased libido are common and can persist
GI upset such as nausea and diarrhea is frequent, especially in the first few weeks
Not FDA-approved for generalized anxiety disorder, a common off-label use
Luvox
Luvox is FDA-approved only for OCD, though prescribers commonly use it off-label for depression and anxiety. Its potent effect on the CYP1A2 liver enzyme means it interacts with more medications than many other SSRIs.
Pros
FDA-approved specifically for OCD in both adults and children as young as 8
Maintenance dosing can be split and pushed to 300 mg/day for severe OCD symptoms
Long track record for OCD specifically, approved since 1994
Cons
FDA-approved only for OCD; use for depression or anxiety is off-label
Strong CYP1A2 inhibition causes significant interactions with caffeine, theophylline, and clozapine
Higher reported rates of nausea, somnolence, and asthenia than many other SSRIs
Common Symptoms and Related Diseases You Can Explore
Explore a range of common symptoms the Doctronic Symptom Checker can help you understand.