Two medicines, side by side
Duloxetine vs clonazepam
Duloxetine and clonazepam are both labeled for anxiety. Drugs@FDA records approvals of duloxetine since 2004 and of clonazepam since 1975. Pharmacies paid $0.102 per duloxetine HCl DR 30 mg capsule and $0.0244 per clonazepam 1 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, duloxetine is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and clonazepam a benzodiazepine.
Check it at the source: the duloxetine FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 14, 2024); the clonazepam FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 1, 2025).
Highlights of the duloxetine record
Duloxetine (Cymbalta) · label of May 14, 2024
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 for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.
Used for
From the label: indicationsDRIZALMA SPRINKLE is indicated for the treatment of: • Major Depressive Disorder in adults • Generalized Anxiety Disorder in adults and pediatric patients 7 years of age and older • Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in adults • Fibromyalgia in adults • Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in adults Additional pediatric use information is approved for Eli Lilly and Company, Inc.’s CYMBALTA (duloxetine delayed-release capsules). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 3, 2004
- Generic labelers
- 45 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.102 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 56
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
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Duloxetine label of May 14, 2024, Clonazepam label of December 1, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do duloxetine and clonazepam differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, duloxetine is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and clonazepam a benzodiazepine.
Half-life, in each label's words: Duloxetine, “Mean terminal half-life was 12.4 hours (range 7.8 to 22.2 hour) in subjects receiving a single dose DRIZALMA SPRINKLE.”; Clonazepam, “The elimination half-life of clonazepam is typically 30 to 40 hours.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: duloxetine since 2013; clonazepam since 1996 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: duloxetine none; clonazepam CIV.
| Duloxetine | Clonazepam | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Anxiety, Nerve pain and fibromyalgia, Pain | Seizures and epilepsy, Anxiety |
| Pharmacologic class | Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor | Benzodiazepine |
| How it works (label) | Although the exact mechanisms of the antidepressant, central pain inhibitory and anxiolytic actions of duloxetine in humans are unknown, these actions are believed to be related to its potentiation of serotonergic and noradrenergic … | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | Mean terminal half-life was 12.4 hours (range 7.8 to 22.2 hour) in subjects receiving a single dose DRIZALMA SPRINKLE. | The elimination half-life of clonazepam is typically 30 to 40 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 3, 2004 | June 4, 1975 |
| First generic approved | December 11, 2013 | September 10, 1996 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 45 labelers | 31 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.102 per capsule (Duloxetine HCl DR 30 mg capsule) | $0.0244 per tablet (Clonazepam 1 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +31% | -14% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 56 | 7 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 69,298 | 159,283 |
| DEA schedule | none | CIV |
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?
Duloxetine label, drug interactionsExamples Selegiline, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, linezolid, intravenous methylene blue Other Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact Concomitant use of duloxetine with other serotonergic drugs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to duloxetine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions