Sertraline vs Ativan: side-by-side comparison
Sertraline (Antidépresseurs) and Ativan (Anxiolytiques) belong to different therapeutic classes and are rarely interchangeable. This page compares the medications' purposes, mechanisms and the situations where each is used.
| Property | Sertraline | Ativan |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Sertraline | Lorazepam |
| Manufacturer | Various generics | Pfizer |
| Class | Antidépresseurs | Anxiolytiques |
| Strengths | 25mg, 50mg, 100mg | 0.5mg, 1mg, 2mg |
| Forms | tablet | tablet, oral concentrate, injection |
What's the same
Sertraline and Ativan are used in very different patients, and the points in common are limited. The main shared element is that both meet regulatory standards for efficacy and safety and benefit from pharmacist oversight.
Key differences
Sertraline belongs to Antidépresseurs while Ativan belongs to Anxiolytiques. Indications, mechanisms and target populations differ. The comparison is most useful when a clinician has mentioned both medications and the patient wants to understand where each fits.
Mechanism and action
Sertraline: La sertraline bloque sélectivement le transporteur de la sérotonine du neurone présynaptique, empêchant la recapture de la sérotonine depuis la fente synaptique. Ativan: Le lorazépam se lie au site benzodiazépine du récepteur GABA-A et renforce de façon allostérique la conductance chlorure inhibitrice.
When Sertraline is preferred
La sertraline générique partage les indications du produit d'origine : dépression caractérisée, trouble panique, TOC, état de stress post-traumatique, anxiété sociale et trouble dysphorique prémenstruel, chez l'adulte.
When Ativan is preferred
Ativan est autorisé chez l'adulte dans la prise en charge de courte durée des troubles anxieux et de l'insomnie liée à l'anxiété.
Questions fréquentes
Is Sertraline or Ativan better? ▾
Sertraline and Ativan are not interchangeable — they treat different conditions. Asking which is "better" is meaningful only when a clinician has weighed both for the same specific clinical scenario.
Can I switch from Sertraline to Ativan? ▾
Switching between Sertraline and Ativan is rarely an appropriate decision since they belong to different classes and treat different conditions. The real question is usually whether the diagnosis calls for one medication or the other — which the prescriber resolves.
Do Sertraline and Ativan have the same side effects? ▾
No — they belong to different classes and have distinct side-effect profiles. Each medication has its own prescribing information.
More Sertraline comparisons
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.