Two medicines, side by side
Citalopram vs venlafaxine
Citalopram and venlafaxine are both labeled for depression. Drugs@FDA records approvals of citalopram since 1998 and of venlafaxine since 1993. Pharmacies paid $0.026 per citalopram hbr 10 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. In FDA's classes, citalopram is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and venlafaxine a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the citalopram FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 9, 2023); the venlafaxine FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 15, 2023).
Highlights of the citalopram record
Citalopram (Celexa) · label of October 9, 2023
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients in short -term studies. Closely m onitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. CELEXA is not approved for use in pediatric patients [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 )].
Used for
From the label: indicationsCELEXA is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )]. CELEXA is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults ( 1 ).
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 17, 1998
- Generic labelers
- 35 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.026 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
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 (Citalopram label of October 9, 2023, Venlafaxine label of August 15, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do citalopram and venlafaxine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, citalopram is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and venlafaxine a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.
How each works, in its label's words: Citalopram, “The mechanism of action of citalopram is unclear, but is presumed to be related to potentiation of serotonergic activity in the central nervous system (CNS) resulting from its inhibition of CNS …”; Venlafaxine, “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 …”
Half-life, in each label's words: Citalopram, “Biotransformation of citalopram is mainly hepatic, with a mean terminal half-life of about 35 hours.”; Venlafaxine, “The apparent elimination half-life is 5 ± 2 hours for venlafaxine and 11 ± 2 hours for ODV.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: citalopram since 2004; venlafaxine since 2006 (Drugs@FDA).
| Citalopram | Venlafaxine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression | Depression, Anxiety |
| Pharmacologic class | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor | Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | The mechanism of action of citalopram is unclear, but is presumed to be related to potentiation of serotonergic activity in the central nervous system (CNS) resulting from its inhibition of CNS neuronal reuptake of serotonin (5-HT). | 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) | Biotransformation of citalopram is mainly hepatic, with a mean terminal half-life of about 35 hours. | The apparent elimination half-life is 5 ± 2 hours for venlafaxine and 11 ± 2 hours for ODV. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 17, 1998 | December 28, 1993 |
| First generic approved | October 28, 2004 | August 3, 2006 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 35 labelers | 61 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.026 per tablet (Citalopram hbr 10 mg tablet) | $0.0799 per capsule (Venlafaxine HCl ER 75 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | +6% | -13% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 21 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 136,040 | 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?
Citalopram label, drug interactionsConcomitant use of CELEXA and other serotonergic drugs (including other SSRIs, SNRIs, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, opioids, lithium, buspirone, amphetamines, tryptophan, and St. John's Wort) increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
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 citalopram
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions