FLUOXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE vs PAXIL

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 19, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. FLUOXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE and PAXIL are different prescription medicines. Combining or switching between them can cause interactions — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber before making changes. This page is not medical advice.

Attribute	FLUOXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE	PAXIL
Rating	New	66/100
Pharmacy pays	$0.05 /mL	~$2.84 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	FLUOXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE	PAROXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE
Manufacturer	Ph Health	Apotex
Dosage forms	Capsule, Oral pellets, Solution, Tablet	Tablet
Drug class	Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor	Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
Boxed warning	Boxed warning	Boxed warning
Half-life	about 1 to 3 days (roughly 24-72 hours) after a single dose, lengthening to about 4 to 6 days with ongoing daily use	about 21 hours on average (the label reports a mean of approximately 21 hours, with 32% variability between people)
Treats	Bulimia, Major Depressive Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder	Feeding and Eating Disorders, Depressive Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

fluoxetine hydrochloride paxil

Rating

New

66/100

Pharmacy pays

$0.05 /mL

~$2.84 /30

Type

Active ingredient

FLUOXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE

PAROXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE

Manufacturer

Ph Health

Apotex

Dosage forms

Capsule, Oral pellets, Solution, Tablet

Tablet

Drug class

Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor

Boxed warning

Half-life

about 1 to 3 days (roughly 24-72 hours) after a single dose, lengthening to about 4 to 6 days with ongoing daily use

about 21 hours on average (the label reports a mean of approximately 21 hours, with 32% variability between people)

Treats

Bulimia, Major Depressive Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Feeding and Eating Disorders, Depressive Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Get paxilhigher-rated option

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Fluoxetine Hydrochloride and Paxil?

Fluoxetine Hydrochloride contains Fluoxetine Hydrochloride, while Paxil contains Paroxetine Hydrochloride — they have different active ingredients.

Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.