Two medicines, side by side
Venlafaxine vs alprazolam
Venlafaxine and alprazolam are both labeled for anxiety. Drugs@FDA records approvals of venlafaxine since 1993 and of alprazolam since 1981. Pharmacies paid $0.0799 per venlafaxine HCl ER 75 mg capsule and $0.0236 per alprazolam 0.25 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, venlafaxine is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and alprazolam a benzodiazepine.
Check it at the source: the venlafaxine FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 15, 2023); the alprazolam FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 18, 2023).
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
Highlights of the alprazolam record
Alprazolam (Xanax) · label of January 18, 2023
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: indicationsXANAX is indicated for the: • acute treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults. • treatment of panic disorder (PD), with or without agoraphobia in adults. XANAX is a benzodiazepine indicated for the: • Acute treatment of generalized anxiety disorder in adults. ( 1 ) • Treatment of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia in adults.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 16, 1981
- Generic labelers
- 30 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0236 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 23
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Venlafaxine label of August 15, 2023, Alprazolam label of January 18, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do venlafaxine and alprazolam differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, venlafaxine is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and alprazolam a benzodiazepine.
How each works, in its label's words: 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 …”; Alprazolam, “Alprazolam is a 1,4 benzodiazepine.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Venlafaxine, “The apparent elimination half-life is 5 ± 2 hours for venlafaxine and 11 ± 2 hours for ODV.”; Alprazolam, “Elimination The mean plasma elimination half-life (T 1/2 ) of alprazolam is approximately 11.2 hours (range: 6.3 to …”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: venlafaxine since 2006; alprazolam since 1993 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: venlafaxine none; alprazolam CIV.
| Venlafaxine | Alprazolam | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Anxiety | Anxiety |
| Pharmacologic class | Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor | Benzodiazepine |
| How it works (label) | 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 … | Alprazolam is a 1,4 benzodiazepine. |
| Half-life (label) | The apparent elimination half-life is 5 ± 2 hours for venlafaxine and 11 ± 2 hours for ODV. | Elimination The mean plasma elimination half-life (T 1/2 ) of alprazolam is approximately 11.2 hours (range: 6.3 to 26.9 hours) in healthy adults. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 28, 1993 | October 16, 1981 |
| First generic approved | August 3, 2006 | October 19, 1993 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 61 labelers | 30 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0799 per capsule (Venlafaxine HCl ER 75 mg capsule) | $0.0236 per tablet (Alprazolam 0.25 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -13% | -1% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 21 | 23 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 131,560 | 204,916 |
| 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Venlafaxine label, drug interactionsThis finding was confirmed in vivo by clinical drug interaction studies in which venlafaxine did not inhibit the metabolism of several CYP3A4 substrates, including alprazolam, diazepam, and terfenadine.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
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.
Alprazolam label, drug interactionsCNS Depressants Clinical implication The benzodiazepines, including alprazolam, produce additive CNS depressant effects when coadministered with other CNS depressants.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to venlafaxine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions