Two medicines, side by side
Paroxetine vs venlafaxine
Paroxetine and venlafaxine are both labeled for depression and anxiety. Drugs@FDA records approvals of paroxetine since 1992 and of venlafaxine since 1993. Pharmacies paid $0.0611 per paroxetine HCl 20 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, paroxetine is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and venlafaxine a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the paroxetine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 12, 2026); the venlafaxine FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 15, 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 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 (Paroxetine label of February 12, 2026, Venlafaxine label of August 15, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do paroxetine and venlafaxine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, paroxetine is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and venlafaxine a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.
How each works, in its label's words: Paroxetine, “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 …”; 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: Paroxetine, “Elimination Metabolism The mean elimination half-life is approximately 21 hours (CV 32%) after oral dosing of 30 mg …”; 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: paroxetine since 2003; venlafaxine since 2006 (Drugs@FDA).
| Paroxetine | Venlafaxine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Anxiety, Menopause symptoms | Depression, Anxiety |
| Pharmacologic class | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor | Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor |
| 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 … | 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) | 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 apparent elimination half-life is 5 ± 2 hours for venlafaxine and 11 ± 2 hours for ODV. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 29, 1992 | December 28, 1993 |
| First generic approved | July 30, 2003 | August 3, 2006 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 45 labelers | 61 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0611 per tablet (Paroxetine HCl 20 mg tablet) | $0.0799 per capsule (Venlafaxine HCl ER 75 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -16% | -13% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 15 | 21 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 41,809 | 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Paroxetine label, drug interactionsExamples; propafenone, flecainide, atomoxetine, desipramine, dextromethorphan, metoprolol, nebivolol, perphenazine, tolterodine, venlafaxine, risperidone.
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.
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 paroxetine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions