Sertraline vs Escitalopram: what is the difference?
Both are SSRIs, but escitalopram is far more selective for the serotonin transporter, while sertraline also acts on the dopamine transporter.
Sources and notes
- The sentence under the titlefrom sourceMoleculeFinder comparison notesThe pair's answer line.
- The two drawingscomputedMoleculeFinder rule (RDKit MCS)Each molecule's own drawing, as its page shows it. The common core, 7 of 24 atoms, is too small to align on.
Side by side
| Sertraline | Escitalopram | |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular weightCalculated PubChem | 306.2 g/molC17H17Cl2N | 324.4 g/molC20H21FN2O |
| Hydrogen-bond donorsCalculated PubChem | 1 | 0 |
| FamilyEditorial MoleculeFinder curated | SSRIs | SSRIs |
| Everyday groupEditorial MoleculeFinder curated | Prescription medicine | Prescription medicine |
| Chemical groupsCalculated Found by rule (RDKit) | Amines, Aromatics, Halogenated | Aromatics, Ethers, Halogenated |
| Hazard labelReported ECHA via PubChem | Warning | Warning |
| The supplier-filed hazard label's signal word, not a statement about ordinary use. | ||
Sources and notes
- Molecular weightcomputedPubChemComputed from the structure; the formula is under each weight.
- Hydrogen-bond donorscomputedPubChemThe hydrogens on nitrogen or oxygen that each molecule can lend to a hydrogen bond, counted from its structure.
- Familyfrom sourceMoleculeFinder curated
- Everyday groupfrom sourceMoleculeFinder curated
- Chemical groupscomputedFound by rule (RDKit)Each group is found in the structure by a chemical pattern.
- Hazard labelfrom sourceECHA via PubChem
- ECHAfrom sourceAttributionSource: European Chemicals Agency, echa.europa.eu.
- Identifiersfrom sourcePubChemPubChem CID 68617 (Sertraline) and 146570 (Escitalopram).
In more detail
They block the same transporter, but not equally cleanly. Sertraline also has meaningful activity at the dopamine transporter and at sigma receptors, which escitalopram essentially lacks. Escitalopram is the isolated active half of citalopram, so it is a single-isomer molecule where sertraline is not, and it is the heavier at 324.4 against 306.2. In practice their side effect profiles overlap heavily and differ in the details. Both are prescription medicines and neither is available over the counter anywhere in the US or Europe.
Sources and notes
- The paragraphfrom sourceMoleculeFinder comparison notes
Questions
- What is the difference between Sertraline and Escitalopram?
- Both are SSRIs, but escitalopram is far more selective for the serotonin transporter, while sertraline also acts on the dopamine transporter.
- Is Sertraline bigger than Escitalopram?
- Escitalopram is the heavier molecule, 324.4 g/mol against 306.2 g/mol for Sertraline. Sertraline is C17H17Cl2N and Escitalopram is C20H21FN2O.
Sources and notes
- The answersfrom sourceMoleculeFinderThe first is the pair's answer line; the others are read off the table above.