Two medicines, side by side
Fluoxetine vs trazodone
Fluoxetine and trazodone are both labeled for depression. Drugs@FDA records approvals of fluoxetine since 1987 and of trazodone since 1981. Pharmacies paid $0.0519 per fluoxetine HCl 40 mg capsule 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). How each works, in its label's words: Fluoxetine, “Although the exact mechanism of PROZAC is unknown, it is presumed to be linked to its inhibition of CNS neuronal uptake of serotonin.”; 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.”
Check it at the source: the fluoxetine FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 8, 2026); the trazodone FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 22, 2026).
Highlights of the fluoxetine record
Fluoxetine (Prozac) · label of January 8, 2026
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies. These studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior with antidepressant use in patients over age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressant use in patients aged 65 and older [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )].
Used for
From the label: indicationsPROZAC ® is indicated for the treatment of: Acute and maintenance treatment of Major Depressive Disorder [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )]. Acute and maintenance treatment of obsessions and compulsions in patients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) [see Clinical Studies ( 14.2 )]. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 29, 1987
- Generic labelers
- 58 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0519 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
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 (Fluoxetine label of January 8, 2026, Trazodone label of January 22, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do fluoxetine and trazodone differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Fluoxetine, “Although the exact mechanism of PROZAC is unknown, it is presumed to be linked to its inhibition of CNS neuronal uptake of serotonin.”; 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 are in FDA's class serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: fluoxetine since 2001; trazodone since 1986 (Drugs@FDA).
| Fluoxetine | Trazodone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar disorder | Depression |
| Pharmacologic class | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | Although the exact mechanism of PROZAC is unknown, it is presumed to be linked to its inhibition of CNS neuronal uptake of serotonin. | 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) | Its mean terminal half-life after a single dose was 8.6 days and after multiple dosing was 9.3 days. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 29, 1987 | December 24, 1981 |
| First generic approved | August 2, 2001 | October 10, 1986 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 58 labelers | 38 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0519 per capsule (Fluoxetine HCl 40 mg capsule) | $0.0307 per tablet (Trazodone 50 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -20% | -10% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 9 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 131,827 | 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?
Fluoxetine label, warnings and precautionsSerotonin syndrome has been reported with SSRIs and SNRIs, including PROZAC, both when taken alone, but especially when co-administered with other serotonergic agents.
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 fluoxetine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions