ESCITALOPRAM OXALATE vs SARAFEM

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 21, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. ESCITALOPRAM OXALATE and SARAFEM are different prescription medicines. Combining or switching between them can cause interactions — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber before making changes. This page is not medical advice.

Attribute	ESCITALOPRAM OXALATE	SARAFEM
Rating	56/100	New
Pharmacy pays	$0.16 /mL	$0.05 /mL
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	ESCITALOPRAM OXALATE	FLUOXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE
Manufacturer	Teva	Eli Lilly and Co
Dosage forms	Tablet	Capsule
Drug class	Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor	Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
Boxed warning	Boxed warning	Boxed warning
Half-life	about 27 to 32 hours	about 1 to 3 days (roughly 24-72 hours) after a single dose, lengthening to about 4 to 6 days with ongoing daily use
Treats	Major Depressive Disorder	Bulimia, Major Depressive Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

escitalopram oxalate sarafem

Rating

56/100

New

Pharmacy pays

$0.16 /mL

$0.05 /mL

Type

Active ingredient

ESCITALOPRAM OXALATE

FLUOXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE

Manufacturer

Teva

Eli Lilly and Co

Dosage forms

Tablet

Capsule

Drug class

Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor

Boxed warning

Half-life

about 27 to 32 hours

about 1 to 3 days (roughly 24-72 hours) after a single dose, lengthening to about 4 to 6 days with ongoing daily use

Treats

Major Depressive Disorder

Bulimia, Major Depressive Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper, Escitalopram Oxalate or Sarafem?

Sarafem costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $0.05 vs $0.16 per ml, per the CMS NADAC survey. That gap is in the pharmacy's cost of goods, not necessarily in what you pay: your price is set afterwards by your insurer and the pharmacy.

What is the difference between Escitalopram Oxalate and Sarafem?

Escitalopram Oxalate contains Escitalopram Oxalate, while Sarafem contains Fluoxetine Hydrochloride — they have different active ingredients.

Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.