Two medicines, side by side
Olanzapine vs trazodone
Olanzapine and trazodone are both labeled for depression. Drugs@FDA records approvals of olanzapine since 1996 and of trazodone since 1981. Pharmacies paid $0.147 per olanzapine 20 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, olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic and trazodone a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the olanzapine FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 5, 2026); the trazodone FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 22, 2026).
Highlights of the olanzapine record
Olanzapine (Zyprexa) · label of March 5, 2026
INCREASED MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED PSYCHOSIS Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Analyses of seventeen placebo-controlled trials (modal duration of 10 weeks), largely in patients taking atypical antipsychotic drugs, revealed a risk of death in drug-treated patients of between 1.6 to 1.7 times the risk of death in placebo-treated patients.
Used for
From the label: indicationsOlanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic indicated: As oral formulation for the: · Treatment of schizophrenia. ( 1.1 ) · Adults: Efficacy was established in three clinical trials in patients with schizophrenia: two 6-week trials and one maintenance trial. ( 14.1 ) · Adolescents (ages 13-17): Efficacy was established in one 6-week trial in patients with schizophrenia ( 14.1 ). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 30, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.147 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 14
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 (Olanzapine label of March 5, 2026, Trazodone label of January 22, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do olanzapine and trazodone differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic and trazodone a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
How each works, in its label's words: Olanzapine, “The mechanism of action of olanzapine, in the listed indications 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: olanzapine since 2011; trazodone since 1986 (Drugs@FDA).
| Olanzapine | Trazodone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, Depression | Depression |
| Pharmacologic class | Atypical Antipsychotic | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | The mechanism of action of olanzapine, in the listed indications is unclear. However, the efficacy of olanzapine in schizophrenia could be mediated through a combination of dopamine and serotonin type 2 (5HT 2 ) antagonism. | 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 half-life ranges from 21 to 54 hours (5th to 95th percentile; mean of 30 hr), and apparent plasma clearance ranges from 12 to 47 L/hr (5th to 95th percentile; mean of 25 L/hr). | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | September 30, 1996 | December 24, 1981 |
| First generic approved | October 24, 2011 | October 10, 1986 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 43 labelers | 38 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.147 per tablet (Olanzapine 20 mg tablet) | $0.0307 per tablet (Trazodone 50 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -5% | -10% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 14 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 107,881 | 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?
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 olanzapine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions