PAXIL CR vs ZOLOFT

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 20, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. PAXIL CR and ZOLOFT 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	PAXIL CR	ZOLOFT
Rating	60/100	70/100
Pharmacy pays	~$2.84 /30	~$1.09 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	PAROXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE	SERTRALINE HYDROCHLORIDE
Manufacturer	Apotex	Viatris
Dosage forms	Tablet, extended release	Solution, Tablet
Drug class	Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor	Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
Boxed warning	Boxed warning	Boxed warning
Half-life	about 21 hours on average (the label reports a mean of approximately 21 hours, with 32% variability between people)	about 26 hours
Treats	Feeding and Eating Disorders, Depressive Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder	Feeding and Eating Disorders, Depressive Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

paxil cr zoloft

Rating

60/100

70/100

Pharmacy pays

~$2.84 /30

~$1.09 /30

Type

Active ingredient

PAROXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE

SERTRALINE HYDROCHLORIDE

Manufacturer

Apotex

Viatris

Dosage forms

Tablet, extended release

Solution, Tablet

Drug class

Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor

Boxed warning

Half-life

about 21 hours on average (the label reports a mean of approximately 21 hours, with 32% variability between people)

about 26 hours

Treats

Feeding and Eating Disorders, Depressive Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

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Frequently asked questions

Which is better-rated, Paxil CR or Zoloft?

By our independent rating, Zoloft scores higher — 3.5 vs 3.0 out of 5 for Paxil CR. Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data.

Which is cheaper, Paxil CR or Zoloft?

Zoloft costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $1.09 vs $2.84 for a 30-count supply, 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 Paxil CR and Zoloft?

Paxil CR contains Paroxetine Hydrochloride, while Zoloft contains Sertraline 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.