Two medicines, side by side
Clonazepam vs paroxetine
Clonazepam and paroxetine are both labeled for anxiety. Drugs@FDA records approvals of clonazepam since 1975 and of paroxetine since 1992. Pharmacies paid $0.0244 per clonazepam 1 mg tablet and $0.0611 per paroxetine HCl 20 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, clonazepam is a benzodiazepine and paroxetine a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the clonazepam FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 1, 2025); the paroxetine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 12, 2026).
Highlights of the clonazepam record
Clonazepam (Klonopin) · label of December 1, 2025
RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH OPIOIDS; ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION; and DEPENDENCE AND WITHDRAWAL REACTIONS Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required.
Used for
From the label: indicationsSeizure Disorders Klonopin is useful alone or as an adjunct in the treatment of the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (petit mal variant), akinetic, and myoclonic seizures. In patients with absence seizures (petit mal) who have failed to respond to succinimides, Klonopin may be useful. Some loss of effect may occur during the course of clonazepam treatment (see PRECAUTIONS: Loss of Effect ). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 4, 1975
- Generic labelers
- 31 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0244 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 7
Highlights of the paroxetine record
Paroxetine (Paxil) · label of February 12, 2026
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients in short-term studies. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Paroxetine tablets are not approved for use in pediatric patients [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsParoxetine tablets are indicated in adults for the treatment of: • Major depressive disorder (MDD) • Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) • Panic disorder (PD) • Social anxiety disorder (SAD) • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) • Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Paroxetine tablets are a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) indicated in adults for the treatment of ( 1 ): • Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) • Panic Disorder (PD) • Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 29, 1992
- Generic labelers
- 45 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0611 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 15
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Clonazepam label of December 1, 2025, Paroxetine label of February 12, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do clonazepam and paroxetine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, clonazepam is a benzodiazepine and paroxetine a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
Half-life, in each label's words: Clonazepam, “The elimination half-life of clonazepam is typically 30 to 40 hours.”; Paroxetine, “Elimination Metabolism The mean elimination half-life is approximately 21 hours (CV 32%) after oral dosing of 30 mg …”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: clonazepam since 1996; paroxetine since 2003 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: clonazepam CIV; paroxetine none.
| Clonazepam | Paroxetine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Seizures and epilepsy, Anxiety | Depression, Anxiety, Menopause symptoms |
| Pharmacologic class | Benzodiazepine | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | n/a | The mechanism of action of paroxetine tablets in the treatment of MDD, SAD, OCD, PD, GAD, and PTSD is unknown, but is presumed to be linked to potentiation of serotonergic activity in the central nervous system resulting from inhibition of … |
| Half-life (label) | The elimination half-life of clonazepam is typically 30 to 40 hours. | Elimination Metabolism The mean elimination half-life is approximately 21 hours (CV 32%) after oral dosing of 30 mg tablets daily for 30 days of paroxetine tablets. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | June 4, 1975 | December 29, 1992 |
| First generic approved | September 10, 1996 | July 30, 2003 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 31 labelers | 45 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0244 per tablet (Clonazepam 1 mg tablet) | $0.0611 per tablet (Paroxetine HCl 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -14% | -16% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | In shortage | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 7 | 15 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 159,283 | 41,809 |
| DEA schedule | CIV | 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?
Paroxetine label, warnings and precautionsIncreased risk when co-administered with other serotonergic agents, but also when taken alone.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to clonazepam
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions