What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Buspirone and duloxetine
Duloxetine's FDA label of May 14, 2024 names buspirone in its drug interactions section; buspirone's label does not name duloxetine itself but warns about its class (SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)). The duloxetine label: “The risk is increased with concomitant use of other serotonergic drugs and with drugs that impair metabolism of serotonin.”
Check it at the source: the buspirone FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 22, 2023, Unichem Pharmaceuticals (USA), Inc.); the duloxetine FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 14, 2024, SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES, INC.).
What does the buspirone label say about duloxetine?
Buspirone's label does not name duloxetine itself; it warns about its class (SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)):
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), or with antipsychotics or other dopamine antagonists.
Source: FDA drug label (Buspirone Hydrochloride), Unichem Pharmaceuticals (USA), Inc., effective December 22, 2023 (SPL set a6bdf140-075e-445e-a62d-633a4b97f3a8), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the duloxetine label say about buspirone?
Duloxetine label, drug interactionsExamples Other SNRIs, SSRIs, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, opioids, lithium, tryptophan, buspirone, amphetamines, and St. John’s Wort Inhibitors of CYP1A2 Clinical Impact Concomitant use of duloxetine with CYP1A2 inhibitors increases AUC, C max, t 1/2 of duloxetine. Intervention Avoid concomitant use of duloxetine delayed-release capsules with potent CYP1A2 inhibitors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Duloxetine label, warnings and precautionsThe risk is increased with concomitant use of other serotonergic drugs (including triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, meperidine, methadone, tryptophan, buspirone, amphetamines, and St. John’s Wort) and with drugs that impair metabolism of serotonin [see Contraindications (4), Drug Interactions (7)].
Source: FDA drug label (Duloxetine, NDA219131), Almatica Pharma LLC, effective March 2, 2026 (SPL set bb2ca3bf-983c-1e4a-a91d-dc7dee66d741), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (DRIZALMA SPRINKLE), SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES, INC., effective May 14, 2024 (SPL set b41423b8-dfec-4d79-ba3c-e43a87803d85), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Buspirone | Duloxetine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Anxiety | Depression, Anxiety, Nerve pain and fibromyalgia, Pain |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.043 per tablet 15 mg tablet | $0.102 per capsule 30 mg capsule |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once