What the FDA labels say about taking them together

Buspirone and paroxetine

Paroxetine's FDA label of February 12, 2026 names buspirone in its drug interactions section; buspirone's label does not name paroxetine itself but warns about its class (serotonin reuptake inhibitors). The paroxetine label: “… SNRIs, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, opioids, lithium, tryptophan, buspirone, amphetamines, and St. John’s Wort.”

Check it at the source: the buspirone FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 22, 2023, Unichem Pharmaceuticals (USA), Inc.); the paroxetine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 12, 2026, Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.).

What does the buspirone label say about paroxetine?

Buspirone's label does not name paroxetine itself; it warns about its class (serotonin reuptake inhibitors):

Buspirone label, warnings
Serotonin 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 paroxetine label say about buspirone?

Paroxetine label, drug interactions
Other Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact The concomitant use of serotonergic drugs with paroxetine tablets increases the risk of serotonin syndrome. Intervention Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome, particularly during treatment initiation and dosage increases. If serotonin syndrome occurs, consider discontinuation of paroxetine tablets and/or concomitant serotonergic drugs [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. Examples other SSRIs, SNRIs, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, opioids, lithium, tryptophan, buspirone, amphetamines, and St. John’s Wort.

Paroxetine label, warnings and precautions
The 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, i.e., MAOIs [see Contraindications (4), Drug Interactions (7.1) ].

Paroxetine Hydrochloride label (Apotex Corp, September 16, 2026), drug interactions
Examples Other SSRIs, SNRIs, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, opioids, lithium, tryptophan, buspirone, St. John’s Wort Drugs that Interfere with Hemostasis (antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants) Clinical Impact The concurrent use of an antiplatelet agent or anticoagulant with Paroxetine HCL CR may potentiate the risk of bleeding. Intervention Inform patients of the increased risk of bleeding associated with the concomitant use of Paroxetine HCL CR and antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants. For patients taking warfarin, carefully monitor the international normalized ratio [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )].

Brisdelle label (Legacy Pharma USA, Inc., April 28, 2025), drug interactions
Serotonergic Drugs If concomitant use of BRISDELLE with other serotonergic drugs (e.g., other SNRIs, SSRIs, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, opioids, lithium, tryptophan, buspirone, amphetamines, and St. John’s Wort) is clinically warranted, consider the increased risk of serotonin syndrome and carefully observe the patient, particularly during treatment initiation [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )].

Paxil label (Apotex Corp, October 22, 2024), drug interactions
Examples; other SSRIs, SNRIs, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, opioids, lithium, tryptophan, buspirone, amphetamines, and St. John’s Wort.

Source: FDA drug label (Paroxetine Hydrochloride, NDA020936), Apotex Corp, effective September 16, 2026 (SPL set 087ff0d3-1761-47ea-a8c1-7c4cb679af97), via openFDA

Source: FDA drug label (Brisdelle, NDA204516), Legacy Pharma USA, Inc., effective April 28, 2025 (SPL set 502311b3-b617-4cbd-a3ab-a60f2c62880a), via openFDA

Source: FDA drug label (Paroxetine), Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., effective February 12, 2026 (SPL set 89dd7e24-85fc-4152-89ea-47ec2b48a1ed), 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

47Buspirone generic labelers

45Paroxetine generic labelers

	Buspirone	Paroxetine
Labeled for	Anxiety	Depression, Anxiety, Menopause symptoms
Boxed warning	No	Yes
Pharmacy cost (NADAC)	$0.043 per tablet 15 mg tablet	$0.0611 per tablet 20 mg tablet
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?

Buspirone: the full record
Paroxetine: the full record
Check more medicines together: up to five at once