This grade answers one narrow question: how strong is the public evidence and safety record behind this drug, and how clean is its money trail and court record? It is not a verdict on whether the drug is right for you.
WARNING: 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 Hydrochloride Tablets are not approved for use in pediatric patients [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ]. WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS and BEHAVIORS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients ( 5.1 ) Closely monitor for clinical worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors ( 5.1 ) Trazodone Hydrochloride Tablets are not approved for use in pediatric patients ( 8.4 )
Trazodone Hydrochloride Tablets are indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. Trazodone Hydrochloride Tablets are a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) ( 1 ).
Trazodone Hydrochloride Tablets are contraindicated in: Patients taking, or within 14 days of stopping, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue, because of an increased risk of serotonin syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) , Drug Interactions (7.1) ]. Concomitant use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or use within 14 days of stopping MAOIs ( 4 ).
Serotonin Syndrome: Increased risk when co-administered with other serotonergic agents (e.g., SSRI, SNRI, triptans), but also when taken alone. If it occurs, discontinue Trazodone Hydrochloride Tablets and initiate supportive treatment ( 5.2 ). Cardiac Arrhythmias: Increases the QT interval. Avoid use with drugs that also increase the QT interval and in patients with risk factors for prolonged QT interval ( 5.3 ) Orthostatic Hypotension and Syncope: Warn patients of risk and symptoms of hypotension ( 5.4 ). Increased Risk of Bleeding: Concomitant use of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), other antiplatelet drugs, warfarin, and other anticoagulants may increase this risk ( 5.5 ). Priapism: Cases of painful and prolonged penile erections and priapism have been reported. Immediate medical attention should be sought if signs and symptoms of prolonged penile erections or priapism are observed ( 5.6 ). Activation of Mania or Hypomania: Screen for bipolar disorder and monitor for mania or hypomania ( 5.7 ). Potential for Cognitive and Motor Impairment: Has potential to impair judgment, thinking, and motor skills. Advise patients to use caution when operating machinery...
The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Serotonin Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Cardiac Arrythmias [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Orthostatic Hypotension and Syncope [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Increased Risk of Bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Priapism [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Activation of Mania or Hypomania [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Discontinuation Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Potential for Cognitive and Motor Impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] Angle-Closure Glaucoma [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] Hyponatremia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) ] Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 5% and twice that of placebo) are: edema, blurred vision, syncope, drowsiness, fatigue, diarrhea, nasal congestion, weight loss ( 6 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc. at 1-866-850-2876 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because ...
Source: FDA SPL label for TRAZODONE HYDROCHLORIDE (Bryant Ranch Prepack), effective 20250919. Full label on DailyMed.
These are counts of reports people filed, not rates of harm. Anyone can file one, and nobody checks whether the drug was the cause. Millions of doses are taken for every report sent, so the useful part is how this drug compares with the average across all drugs.
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9,781 | 10,008 | 8,690 | 7,942 | 7,819 | 7,861 | 8,816 | 4,313 |
1,122 reports blaming this drug for every million Medicare prescriptions filled, which is 0.4× the typical drug on this site. (20,671 reports in 2024–2026, against 18,424,765 Medicare fills in one year. This is the one number here that accounts for how many people take the drug.)
Source: the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports are voluntary and unverified. Drugs that are prescribed a lot, in the news, or in lawsuits attract more reports, so the percentages are compared with the whole database to correct for that partly, not fully.
| Date | Class | Firm | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08/2026 | Class II | Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc | Presence of Foreign Tablets/Capsules |
| 01/2026 | Class II | Granules Pharmaceuticals Inc. | Presence of Foreign Tablets/Capsules |
| 12/2025 | Class III | Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc | Failed Tablet/Capsule Specifications: Product complaint received that some tablets had a dent on the plain side of the tablet surface. |
Class I = reasonable probability of serious harm. Class II = temporary or reversible harm. Class III = unlikely to harm. Most generic recalls are manufacturing or labeling defects for one lot, not a verdict on the molecule.
Counts measure how much evidence exists and how transparent it is, not how big the benefit is. For that, ask your prescriber: if 100 people like me took this, how many would get better because of it, and how many would be harmed? (Doctors call these the "number needed to treat" and "number needed to harm.") It differs by condition and is the number drug ads leave out. Sources: PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov.
In 2024, drug companies reported $0 in payments to US physicians and hospitals tied to this drug across 0 transactions.
No pending federal MDL names this drug or its brands.
Not named in any federal pharmaceutical settlement of $100M or more on record.
Sources: CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act); Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation pending docket list; DOJ settlements as tabulated on Wikipedia with links to the primary record. State-court and individual suits are not included.
No same-class alternatives found in RxClass.