Two medicines, side by side
Buspirone vs venlafaxine
Buspirone and venlafaxine are both labeled for anxiety. Drugs@FDA records approvals of buspirone since 1986 and of venlafaxine since 1993. Pharmacies paid $0.043 per buspirone HCl 15 mg tablet and $0.0799 per venlafaxine HCl ER 75 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Only the venlafaxine label carries a boxed warning.
Check it at the source: the buspirone FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 22, 2023); the venlafaxine FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 15, 2023).
Highlights of the buspirone record
Buspirone (Buspar) · label of December 22, 2023
Used for
From the label: indicationsBuspirone hydrochloride tablets, USP are indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety or tension associated with the stress of everyday life usually does not require treatment with an anxiolytic. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 29, 1986
- Generic labelers
- 47 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.043 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 10
Highlights of the venlafaxine record
Venlafaxine (Effexor) · label of August 15, 2023
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in pediatric and young adult patients in short-term studies. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Effexor XR is not approved for use in pediatric patients [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsEffexor XR is indicated in adults for the treatment of: • Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ] • Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) [see Clinical Studies (14.3) ] • Panic Disorder (PD) [see Clinical Studies (14.4) ] Effexor XR is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) indicated for the treatment of adults with: • Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) ( 1 ) • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) ( 1 ) • Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) ( 1 ) • Panic Disorder (PD) […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 28, 1993
- Generic labelers
- 61 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0799 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 21
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Buspirone label of December 22, 2023, Venlafaxine label of August 15, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do buspirone and venlafaxine differ on the record?
Only the venlafaxine label carries a boxed warning.
Half-life, in each label's words: Buspirone, “The average elimination half-life of unchanged buspirone after single doses of 10 mg to 40 mg is about 2 to 3 hours.”; Venlafaxine, “The apparent elimination half-life is 5 ± 2 hours for venlafaxine and 11 ± 2 hours for ODV.”
Generics: buspirone since 2001; venlafaxine since 2006 (Drugs@FDA).
| Buspirone | Venlafaxine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Anxiety | Depression, Anxiety |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | n/a | The mechanism of action of venlafaxine in the treatment of MDD, GAD, SAD, and PD is unclear, but is thought to be related to the potentiation of serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system, through inhibition of their … |
| Half-life (label) | The average elimination half-life of unchanged buspirone after single doses of 10 mg to 40 mg is about 2 to 3 hours. | The apparent elimination half-life is 5 ± 2 hours for venlafaxine and 11 ± 2 hours for ODV. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | September 29, 1986 | December 28, 1993 |
| First generic approved | March 28, 2001 | August 3, 2006 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 47 labelers | 61 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.043 per tablet (Buspirone HCl 15 mg tablet) | $0.0799 per capsule (Venlafaxine HCl ER 75 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -9% | -13% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 10 | 21 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 10,970 | 131,560 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Buspirone label, warningsSerotonin Syndrome The development of a potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome has been reported with SNRIs, SSRIs, and other serotonergic drugs, including buspirone, alone but particularly with concomitant use of other serotonergic drugs (including triptans), with drugs that impair metabolism of serotonin (in particular, MAOIs, including reversible MAOIs such as linezolid and intravenous methylene blue) …
Venlafaxine label, drug interactionsOther Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact Concomitant use of Effexor XR with other serotonergic drugs (including other SNRIs, SSRIs, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, opioids, lithium, buspirone, amphetamines, tryptophan, and St. John's Wort) increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to buspirone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions