Two medicines, side by side
Trazodone vs bupropion
Trazodone and bupropion are both labeled for depression. Drugs@FDA records approvals of trazodone since 1981 and of bupropion since 1985. Pharmacies paid $0.0307 per trazodone 50 mg tablet and $0.0785 per bupropion HCl xl 150 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, trazodone is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and bupropion an aminoketone.
Check it at the source: the trazodone FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 22, 2026); the bupropion FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 21, 2024).
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
Highlights of the bupropion record
Bupropion (Wellbutrin) · label of June 21, 2024
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS SUICIDALITY AND ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term trials. These trials did not show an increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior with antidepressant use in subjects over age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressant use in subjects aged 65 and older [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Used for
From the label: indicationsBupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR) are indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). The efficacy of bupropion in the treatment of a major depressive episode was established in two 4-week controlled inpatient trials and one 6-week controlled outpatient trial of adult subjects with MDD [see Clinical Studies (14)]. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 30, 1985
- Generic labelers
- 69 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0785 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 35
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Trazodone label of January 22, 2026, Bupropion label of June 21, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do trazodone and bupropion differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, trazodone is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and bupropion an aminoketone.
How each works, in its label's words: 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.”; Bupropion, “The exact mechanism of the antidepressant action of bupropion is not known, but is presumed to be related to noradrenergic and/or dopaminergic mechanisms.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: trazodone since 1986; bupropion since 1999 (Drugs@FDA).
| Trazodone | Bupropion | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression | Depression, Quitting smoking |
| Pharmacologic class | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor | Aminoketone |
| How it works (label) | 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. | The exact mechanism of the antidepressant action of bupropion is not known, but is presumed to be related to noradrenergic and/or dopaminergic mechanisms. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The mean elimination half-life (±SD) of bupropion after chronic dosing is 21 (±9) hours, and steady-state plasma concentrations of bupropion are reached within 8 days. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 24, 1981 | December 30, 1985 |
| First generic approved | October 10, 1986 | November 29, 1999 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 38 labelers | 69 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0307 per tablet (Trazodone 50 mg tablet) | $0.0785 per tablet (Bupropion HCl xl 150 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | -21% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 35 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 15,550 | 140,269 |
| 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 trazodone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions