Two medicines, side by side
Quetiapine vs venlafaxine
Quetiapine and venlafaxine are both labeled for depression. Drugs@FDA records approvals of quetiapine since 1997 and of venlafaxine since 1993. Pharmacies paid $0.127 per quetiapine fumarate 300 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, quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic and venlafaxine a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the quetiapine FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 10, 2026); the venlafaxine FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 15, 2023).
Highlights of the quetiapine record
Quetiapine (Seroquel) · label of April 10, 2026
INCREASED MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED PSYCHOSIS; and SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. SEROQUEL is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsSEROQUEL is an atypical antipsychotic indicated for the treatment of: • Schizophrenia ( 1.1 ) • Bipolar I disorder manic episodes (1.2) • Bipolar disorder, depressive episodes (1.2) 1.1 Schizophrenia SEROQUEL is indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia. The efficacy of SEROQUEL in schizophrenia was established in three 6-week trials in adults and one 6-week trial in adolescents (13-17 years). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 26, 1997
- Generic labelers
- 48 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.127 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 10
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 (Quetiapine label of April 10, 2026, Venlafaxine label of August 15, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do quetiapine and venlafaxine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic and venlafaxine a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.
How each works, in its label's words: Quetiapine, “The mechanism of action of quetiapine in the listed indications is unclear.”; 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: Quetiapine, “Elimination of quetiapine is mainly via hepatic metabolism with a mean terminal half-life of about 6 hours within the …”; 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: quetiapine since 2012; venlafaxine since 2006 (Drugs@FDA).
| Quetiapine | Venlafaxine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, Depression | Depression, Anxiety |
| Pharmacologic class | Atypical Antipsychotic | Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | The mechanism of action of quetiapine in the listed indications is unclear. However, the efficacy of quetiapine in these indications could be mediated through a combination of dopamine type 2 (D 2 ) and serotonin type 2 (5HT 2 ) antagonism. | 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 of quetiapine is mainly via hepatic metabolism with a mean terminal half-life of about 6 hours within the proposed clinical dose range. | The apparent elimination half-life is 5 ± 2 hours for venlafaxine and 11 ± 2 hours for ODV. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | September 26, 1997 | December 28, 1993 |
| First generic approved | March 27, 2012 | August 3, 2006 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 48 labelers | 61 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.127 per tablet (Quetiapine fumarate 300 mg tablet) | $0.0799 per capsule (Venlafaxine HCl ER 75 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -9% | -13% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 10 | 21 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 191,480 | 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)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
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 quetiapine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions