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Sertraline: Everything you need to know about generic Zoloft

The biggest difference between brand vs. generic Zoloft is the cost difference of $420
Stephanie Melby, Pharm.D., medical writer and reviewer for SingleCare
By | Jul. 17, 2023
Rx prescription pd and Rx pill bottle: Zoloft generic

Key takeaways

  • Sertraline, the generic version of Zoloft, offers a more affordable option for treating various mental health conditions, with a cost difference of $420 compared to the brand-name drug.

  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ensures that generic drugs like sertraline meet the same standards of safety, effectiveness, and quality as their brand-name counterparts.

  • A study found that generic drugs, including sertraline, provide comparable clinical outcomes to brand-name drugs, helping to increase confidence in generic medication’s ability to manage chronic diseases.

  • Switching from brand-name Zoloft to generic sertraline is straightforward and can result in significant cost savings, with the possibility of paying as little as $6 for a supply with coupons.

In this article:

Zoloft is a common antidepressant that can help treat a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Zoloft is a brand-name medication with a generic option available called sertraline. Sertraline is the second most commonly prescribed antidepressant of 2023 so far (second to generic Lexapro), according to SingleCare script data. With a generic option of Zoloft available, sertraline is often a more affordable option for people. 

RELATED: Is Zoloft good for anxiety and when does it start working?

Is a generic for Zoloft available?

Yes, Zoloft is available as a generic medication called sertraline. The generic form of Zoloft became available in 2006 and is a more affordable option. Brand-name and generic Zoloft are available in a few different formulations: tablets, capsules, and oral liquid.

Sertraline vs. Zoloft: Is there a difference?

According to the U.S. Food Drug Administration (FDA), a generic medicine works in the same way and provides the same clinical benefit as brand-name medicine. Generic medications must have the same dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics, and intended use. The FDA Generic Drugs Program conducts a rigorous review to ensure generic drugs meet standards. 

A generic drug may have certain minor differences from the brand-name drug, like different inactive ingredients.

A large United States database study comparing the effectiveness of brand-name drugs versus generic-name drugs determined that the use of generics was associated with comparable clinical outcomes to the use of brand-name products. The study included a wide range of medical conditions and prescription drugs to compare many brand and generic products. Because there can often be bias in favoring brand-name drugs, the study results aimed to help promote educational interventions aimed at increasing patient and provider confidence in the ability of generic medicines to manage chronic diseases.

The primary difference between generic vs. brand-name drugs is the cost.

RELATED: Are generic drugs as good as brand-name medicines?

How much is generic Zoloft?

The generic form of Zoloft is a more affordable option as generic drugs tend to cost less than brand drugs. Generic medications do not have to repeat animal studies and human clinical trials to show the safety and effectiveness that were required of the brand-name drugs; therefore, research and development cost significantly less for generic drugs than brand names.

The cost of sertraline without insurance can vary depending on various factors, such as the pharmacy location and the strength or quantity prescribed. The average retail price of Zoloft is $491 for 30 of the 50 mg tablets; whereas, the average retail price of sertraline is $70 for 30, 50 mg tablets. With a SingleCare coupon, you could pay as little as $6 for 30, 50 mg tablets of sertraline. In some cases, paying with a prescription discount card could save more than with insurance.

Note: There may also be a significant difference in brand-name and generic-name pricing among different forms of medication (tablets vs. oral liquid).

Brand vs. generic Zoloft prices
Brand-name Zoloft Zoloft generic (sertraline)
Average cost without insurance $491 for 30, 50 mg tablets of Zoloft $70 for 30, 50 mg tablets of sertraline
SingleCare’s lowest price $410 for 30, 50 mg tablets of Zoloft $6 for 30, 50 mg tablets of sertraline
Free coupons Zoloft coupons Sertraline coupons

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. Click the link under “Free coupons” to see the latest drug prices.

How to switch from Zoloft to sertraline

Switching from brand-name Zoloft to generic sertraline is a simple change. Prescribers can indicate “substitution permissible” on the prescription or write the prescription with the generic name. Pharmacists can then fill the prescription with the generic. Always ask the pharmacist before the prescription is filled if there are any questions on pricing, availability of generic alternatives, and any other prescription drug information. 

The generic form can be started right away when switching from the brand name as they both contain the same active ingredient.

While changing from a brand-name drug to a generic-name drug can help save costs, there may be some isolated cases where a medical doctor wants to keep a person on a brand-name drug. For example, a healthcare provider may be trying to avoid certain inactive ingredients in a medication that a person may have sensitivity or allergic reaction to such as dyes, preservatives, or fillers. However, inactive ingredients are usually harmless and do not affect the body. 

For medications labeled as “narrow therapeutic index drugs”, like certain anti-seizure medicines, a doctor may prefer sticking with a brand name. This is because, with narrow therapeutic index drugs, small differences in the dose or blood concentration may lead to serious failure in therapy and possible adverse reactions that are life-threatening. However, this does not apply to Zoloft (sertraline).

Ultimately, choosing a generic or brand-name drug comes down to price, health insurance coverage, and personal or prescriber preference. Generally switching to the generic form of Zoloft will be the right choice for most people and save them some money at each pharmacy visit. Search singlecare.com to see how much these savings can be on the generic version of medications.

What can I take instead of Zoloft (sertraline)?

While Zoloft is an effective treatment for major depressive disorder, clinical guidelines recommend a variety of antidepressants as equally effective medicines. This is helpful for people who need to change the type of antidepressant as they may have side effects of Zoloft that they want to avoid or potential drug interactions with other medications. 

Zoloft belongs to a group of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs work by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain, which can help regulate mood and improve feelings of well-being. Some of the other effective antidepressants include serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), bupropion, mirtazapine, trazodone, vilazodone (Viibryd), and Trintellix. 

RELATED: Zoloft alternatives

Like Zoloft, many of these other depression treatment options are available as more affordable generic options.

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