Two medicines, side by side
Trazodone vs vilazodone
Trazodone and vilazodone are both labeled for depression. Drugs@FDA records approvals of trazodone since 1981 and of vilazodone since 2011. Pharmacies paid $0.0307 per trazodone 50 mg tablet and $0.732 per vilazodone HCl 10 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 trazodone FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 22, 2026); the vilazodone FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 22, 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 vilazodone record
Vilazodone (Viibryd) · label of May 22, 2024
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 )]. Vilazodone hydrochloride tablets are not approved for use in pediatric patients [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsVilazodone hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )]. Vilazodone hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 21, 2011
- Generic labelers
- 12 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.732 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Trazodone label of January 22, 2026, Vilazodone label of May 22, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do trazodone and vilazodone differ on the record?
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.”; Vilazodone, “The mechanism of action of vilazodone in the treatment of major depressive disorder 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: trazodone since 1986; vilazodone since 2019 (Drugs@FDA).
| Trazodone | Vilazodone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression | Depression |
| Pharmacologic class | Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor | n/a |
| 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 mechanism of action of vilazodone in the treatment of major depressive disorder is not fully understood, but is thought to be related to its enhancement of serotonergic activity in the CNS through selective inhibition of serotonin … |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Elimination of vilazodone is primarily by hepatic metabolism with a terminal half-life of approximately 25 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 24, 1981 | January 21, 2011 |
| First generic approved | October 10, 1986 | September 30, 2019 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 38 labelers | 12 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0307 per tablet (Trazodone 50 mg tablet) | $0.732 per tablet (Vilazodone HCl 10 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | -29% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 15,550 | 9,170 |
| 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.
Vilazodone label, drug interactionsOther Serotonergic Drugs Concomitant use of vilazodone hydrochloride with other serotonergic drugs (including other SSRIs, SNRIs, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, opioids, lithium, buspirone, amphetamines, tryptophan, and St. John’s Wort) increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to trazodone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions