Duloxetine vs Sertraline: side-by-side comparison
Duloxetine (Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI)) and Sertraline (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)) belong to different therapeutic classes and are rarely substitutes for each other. The comparison is useful when a single patient is weighing both options for adjacent or overlapping needs.
| Property | Duloxetine | Sertraline |
|---|---|---|
| Therapeutic class | Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) | Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) |
| CAS | 116539-59-4 | 79617-96-2 |
| ATC | N06AX21 | N06AB06 |
| Molecular weight | 297.41 g/mol | 306.2 g/mol |
| Brands with this active ingredient | 1 | 2 |
What they share
Duloxetine and Sertraline share the common regulatory framework for prescription active ingredients, bioequivalence standards for generics, and pharmacist oversight. Beyond that, points in common are limited.
Key differences
Duloxetine acts by a different mechanism than Sertraline, with indications that barely overlap. Comparing the two is useful when a clinician has mentioned both in the same context or the patient wants to understand why one was prescribed instead of the other.
Mechanisms compared
Duloxetine: La duloxétine inhibe la recapture synaptique de la sérotonine et de la noradrénaline, avec un effet plus faible sur la dopamine. Sertraline: La sertraline bloque sélectivement la recapture de la sérotonine (5-HT) par le neurone présynaptique, ce qui augmente la concentration de sérotonine dans la fente synaptique.
Indications compared
Duloxetine: La duloxétine est autorisée dans la dépression caractérisée, le trouble anxieux généralisé, les douleurs neuropathiques périphériques diabétiques, la fibromyalgie, les douleurs musculosquelettiques chroniques (lombalgies… Sertraline: La sertraline est autorisée dans plusieurs indications psychiatriques chez l'adulte : dépression caractérisée, trouble panique avec ou sans agoraphobie, trouble obsessionnel compulsif (TOC), état de stress post-traumatiq…
Safety profile
Duloxetine: Les effets indésirables fréquents comprennent nausées (surtout les 1 à 2 premières semaines), sécheresse buccale, céphalées, fatigue, troubles du sommeil et troubles de la fonction sexuelle. Sertraline: Les effets indésirables fréquents comprennent nausées, diarrhée, insomnie, troubles de la fonction sexuelle, sécheresse buccale et sudation, surtout durant les premières semaines.
Questions fréquentes
Is Duloxetine better than Sertraline? ▾
Duloxetine and Sertraline are not "better or worse" — they treat different things. The sensible question is which fits your specific need.
Can Duloxetine and Sertraline be combined? ▾
Whether they can be combined depends on the indications and the interaction profile of each. If both are in a single prescription, the prescriber has weighed it; in self-medication they should never be combined.
Do they have the same side-effect profile? ▾
No — they belong to different classes and have distinct side-effect profiles. Each has its own prescribing information.
Products with Duloxetine
Products with Sertraline
Les informations publiées sur ce site sont fournies à titre documentaire et pédagogique. Elles ne remplacent pas l'avis d'un professionnel de santé qualifié.