Two medicines, side by side
Paroxetine vs buspirone
Paroxetine and buspirone are both labeled for anxiety. Drugs@FDA records approvals of paroxetine since 1992 and of buspirone since 1986. Pharmacies paid $0.0611 per paroxetine HCl 20 mg tablet and $0.043 per buspirone HCl 15 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Only the paroxetine label carries a boxed warning.
Check it at the source: the paroxetine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 12, 2026); the buspirone FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 22, 2023).
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
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
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Paroxetine label of February 12, 2026, Buspirone label of December 22, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do paroxetine and buspirone differ on the record?
Only the paroxetine label carries a boxed warning.
Half-life, in each label's words: Paroxetine, “Elimination Metabolism The mean elimination half-life is approximately 21 hours (CV 32%) after oral dosing of 30 mg …”; Buspirone, “The average elimination half-life of unchanged buspirone after single doses of 10 mg to 40 mg is about 2 to 3 hours.”
Generics: paroxetine since 2003; buspirone since 2001 (Drugs@FDA).
| Paroxetine | Buspirone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Anxiety, Menopause symptoms | Anxiety |
| Pharmacologic class | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor | n/a |
| How it works (label) | 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 … | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | 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. | The average elimination half-life of unchanged buspirone after single doses of 10 mg to 40 mg is about 2 to 3 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 29, 1992 | September 29, 1986 |
| First generic approved | July 30, 2003 | March 28, 2001 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 45 labelers | 47 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0611 per tablet (Paroxetine HCl 20 mg tablet) | $0.043 per tablet (Buspirone HCl 15 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -16% | -9% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 15 | 10 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 41,809 | 10,970 |
| 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Paroxetine label, drug interactions… drugs [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. Examples other SSRIs, SNRIs, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, opioids, lithium, tryptophan, buspirone, amphetamines, and St. John’s Wort.
Paroxetine label, drug interactionsExamples Other SSRIs, SNRIs, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, opioids, lithium, tryptophan, buspirone, St. John’s Wort Drugs that Interfere with Hemostasis (antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants) Clinical Impact The concurrent use of an antiplatelet agent or anticoagulant with Paroxetine HCL CR may potentiate the risk of bleeding. …
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
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.
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) …
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to paroxetine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions