Two medicines, side by side
Mirtazapine vs trazodone
Mirtazapine and trazodone are both labeled for depression. Drugs@FDA records approvals of mirtazapine since 1996 and of trazodone since 1981. Pharmacies paid $0.063 per mirtazapine 15 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).
Check it at the source: the mirtazapine FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 6, 2025); the trazodone FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 22, 2026).
Highlights of the mirtazapine record
Mirtazapine (Remeron) · label of August 6, 2025
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) ]. REMERON/REMERONSolTab is not approved for use in pediatric patients [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsREMERON/REMERONSolTab are indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults [see Clinical Studies (14) ]. REMERON/REMERONSolTab is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 14, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 36 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.063 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
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 (Mirtazapine label of August 6, 2025, Trazodone label of January 22, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do mirtazapine and trazodone differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Mirtazapine, “The mechanism of action of mirtazapine for the treatment of major depressive disorder, is unclear.”; 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: mirtazapine since 2003; trazodone since 1986 (Drugs@FDA).
| Mirtazapine | Trazodone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression | Depression |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | The mechanism of action of mirtazapine for the treatment of major depressive disorder, is unclear. | 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) | Elimination Mirtazapine has a half-life of about 20 to 40 hours following oral administration of REMERON or REMERONSolTab. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | June 14, 1996 | December 24, 1981 |
| First generic approved | January 24, 2003 | October 10, 1986 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 36 labelers | 38 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.063 per tablet (Mirtazapine 15 mg tablet) | $0.0307 per tablet (Trazodone 50 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | -10% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 91,057 | 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?
Mirtazapine label, warnings and precautionsIncreased risk when co-administered with other serotonergic drugs (e.g., SSRI, SNRI, triptans), but also when taken alone.
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 mirtazapine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions