Two medicines, side by side
Paroxetine vs lorazepam
Paroxetine and lorazepam are both labeled for anxiety. Drugs@FDA records approvals of paroxetine since 1992 and of lorazepam since 1977. Pharmacies paid $0.0611 per paroxetine HCl 20 mg tablet and $0.0344 per lorazepam 0.5 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, paroxetine is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and lorazepam a benzodiazepine.
Check it at the source: the paroxetine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 12, 2026); the lorazepam FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 9, 2025).
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 lorazepam record
Lorazepam (Ativan) · label of July 9, 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: indicationsAtivan (lorazepam) is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety or anxiety associated with depressive symptoms. 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 30, 1977
- Generic labelers
- 36 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0344 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 8
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Paroxetine label of February 12, 2026, Lorazepam label of July 9, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do paroxetine and lorazepam differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, paroxetine is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and lorazepam a benzodiazepine.
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 …”; Lorazepam, “The mean half-life of unconjugated lorazepam in human plasma is about 12 hours and for its major metabolite, lorazepam …”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: paroxetine since 2003; lorazepam since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: paroxetine none; lorazepam CIV.
| Paroxetine | Lorazepam | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Anxiety, Menopause symptoms | Anxiety |
| Pharmacologic class | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor | Benzodiazepine |
| 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 mean half-life of unconjugated lorazepam in human plasma is about 12 hours and for its major metabolite, lorazepam glucuronide, about 18 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 29, 1992 | September 30, 1977 |
| First generic approved | July 30, 2003 | December 10, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 45 labelers | 36 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0611 per tablet (Paroxetine HCl 20 mg tablet) | $0.0344 per tablet (Lorazepam 0.5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -16% | -18% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 15 | 8 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 41,809 | 178,731 |
| 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?
Paroxetine label, warnings and precautionsIncreased risk when co-administered with other serotonergic agents, but also when taken alone.
Lorazepam label, warningsUse of benzodiazepines, including lorazepam, both used alone and in combination with other CNS depressants, may lead to potentially fatal respiratory depression (see PRECAUTIONS:
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to paroxetine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions