Two medicines, side by side
Quetiapine vs trazodone
Quetiapine and trazodone are both labeled for depression. Drugs@FDA records approvals of quetiapine since 1997 and of trazodone since 1981. Pharmacies paid $0.127 per quetiapine fumarate 300 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, quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic and trazodone a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the quetiapine FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 10, 2026); the trazodone FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 22, 2026).
Highlights of the quetiapine record
Quetiapine (Seroquel) · label of April 10, 2026
INCREASED MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED PSYCHOSIS; and SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS 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 [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. SEROQUEL is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsSEROQUEL is an atypical antipsychotic indicated for the treatment of: • Schizophrenia ( 1.1 ) • Bipolar I disorder manic episodes (1.2) • Bipolar disorder, depressive episodes (1.2) 1.1 Schizophrenia SEROQUEL is indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia. The efficacy of SEROQUEL in schizophrenia was established in three 6-week trials in adults and one 6-week trial in adolescents (13-17 years). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 26, 1997
- Generic labelers
- 48 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.127 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 10
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 (Quetiapine label of April 10, 2026, Trazodone label of January 22, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do quetiapine and trazodone differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic and trazodone a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
How each works, in its label's words: Quetiapine, “The mechanism of action of quetiapine 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: quetiapine since 2012; trazodone since 1986 (Drugs@FDA).
| Quetiapine | Trazodone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, Depression | Depression |
| Pharmacologic class | Atypical Antipsychotic | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | The mechanism of action of quetiapine in the listed indications is unclear. However, the efficacy of quetiapine in these indications could be mediated through a combination of dopamine type 2 (D 2 ) 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) | Elimination of quetiapine is mainly via hepatic metabolism with a mean terminal half-life of about 6 hours within the proposed clinical dose range. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | September 26, 1997 | December 24, 1981 |
| First generic approved | March 27, 2012 | October 10, 1986 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 48 labelers | 38 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.127 per tablet (Quetiapine fumarate 300 mg tablet) | $0.0307 per tablet (Trazodone 50 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -9% | -10% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 10 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 191,480 | 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 quetiapine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions