Two medicines, side by side
Amitriptyline vs trazodone
Amitriptyline and trazodone are both labeled for depression. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amitriptyline since 1961 and of trazodone since 1981. Pharmacies paid $0.03 per amitriptyline HCl 10 mg tablet and $0.0307 per trazodone 50 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Trazodone's other strengths are brand-only: $2.00 per mL (Raldesy 10 mg/mL solution). In FDA's classes, amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant and trazodone a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the amitriptyline FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 8, 2026); the trazodone FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 22, 2026).
Highlights of the amitriptyline record
Amitriptyline (Elavil) · label of September 8, 2026
Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs: Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of amitriptyline hydrochloride or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need.
Used for
From the label: indicationsFor the relief of symptoms of depression. Endogenous depression is more likely to be alleviated than are other depressive states.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 7, 1961
- Generic labelers
- 34 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.03 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Highlights of the trazodone record
Trazodone (Desyrel) · label of January 22, 2026
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS and BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients in short-term studies. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. Trazodone is not approved for use in pediatric patients [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 )].
Used for
From the label: indicationsTrazodone is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) ( 1 ). Trazodone hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 24, 1981
- Generic labelers
- 38 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0307 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amitriptyline label of September 8, 2026, Trazodone label of January 22, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do amitriptyline and trazodone differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant and trazodone a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
How each works, in its label's words: Amitriptyline, “It is not a monoamine oxidase inhibitor and it does not act primarily by stimulation of the central nervous system.”; Trazodone, “The mechanism of trazodone's antidepressant action is not fully understood, but is thought to be related to its enhancement of serotonergic activity in the CNS.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: amitriptyline since 1976; trazodone since 1986 (Drugs@FDA).
| Amitriptyline | Trazodone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression | Depression |
| Pharmacologic class | Tricyclic Antidepressant | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | in man is not known. It is not a monoamine oxidase inhibitor and it does not act primarily by stimulation of the central nervous system. | The mechanism of trazodone's antidepressant action is not fully understood, but is thought to be related to its enhancement of serotonergic activity in the CNS. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 7, 1961 | December 24, 1981 |
| First generic approved | November 16, 1976 | October 10, 1986 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 34 labelers | 38 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.03 per tablet (Amitriptyline HCl 10 mg tablet) | $0.0307 per tablet (Trazodone 50 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -19% | -10% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 17,441 | 15,550 |
| 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?
Amitriptyline label, warningsIf concomitant use of amitriptyline hydrochloride with other serotonergic drugs, including triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, buspirone, tryptophan, and St. John’s Wort is clinically warranted, patients should be made aware of a potential increased risk for serotonin syndrome, particularly during treatment initiation and dose increases.
Trazodone label, drug interactionsExamples isocarboxazid, moclobemide, phenelzine, selegiline, tranylcypromine Other Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact The concomitant use of serotonergic drugs including trazodone and other serotonergic drugs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to amitriptyline
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions