{"id":636460,"date":"2026-05-18T09:30:44","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T13:30:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=636460"},"modified":"2026-05-14T14:38:56","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T18:38:56","slug":"is-trazodone-an-ssri","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/is-trazodone-an-ssri\/","title":{"rendered":"Is trazodone an SSRI?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Trazodone hydrochloride<\/span><\/a> is a generic prescription medication used to<\/span> treat depression<\/span><\/a> in adults. It is also sometimes prescribed<\/span> off-label<\/span><\/a> for insomnia and anxiety. Some people assume that trazodone belongs to a common class of<\/span> antidepressants<\/span><\/a> called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (<\/span>SSRIs<\/span><\/a>). That\u2019s not quite accurate, however. Learn what makes trazodone different from typical SSRIs, how it works, and how it compares to other sleep aids and antidepressants.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is trazodone actually an SSRI?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

No,<\/span> trazodone<\/span><\/a> is not a true SSRI. It is an atypical antidepressant that is classified as a serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI). There is a good reason trazodone is often confused for an SSRI. It has a similar effect, which is<\/span> increasing levels of a neurotransmitter called serotonin<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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Understanding trazodone\u2019s unique mechanism of action<\/span><\/h2>\n

Like SSRIs, trazodone works by inhibiting the reuptake, or reabsorption, of serotonin that has already been used to carry nerve signals in the brain. This eases <\/span>symptoms of depression<\/span><\/a> because more serotonin is available to facilitate communication between brain cells. But trazodone stands apart because it also has <\/span>other<\/span><\/i> serotonin-boosting effects. For instance, it directly blocks certain serotonin receptors and alpha-1 receptors, triggering a cascade of antidepressant, anti-anxiety, and sleep-promoting effects, according to<\/span> Heather Gosnell, MD<\/span><\/a>, a healthcare provider based in Phoenix, Arizona.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThink of trazodone as a light switch panel with many switches,\u201d says <\/span>Oluwatosin Ajao, MD<\/span><\/a>, a board-certified internal medicine provider in Houston, Texas. \u201cIt can turn on and off different switches in the brain. This effect makes serotonin stay longer in the brain and can help with <\/span>sleep<\/span><\/a>, mood, and <\/span>anxiety<\/span><\/a>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ultimately, trazodone offers a multi-pronged approach to boosting mood, calming anxiety, and easing sleeplessness. According to Dr. Gosnell, trazodone\u2019s multiple effects make it ideal for patients with depression <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> insomnia, even though it’s<\/span> a less potent antidepressant<\/span><\/a> than typical SSRIs, such as Prozac and Zoloft.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The history of trazodone<\/span><\/h2>\n

Trazodone was developed in<\/span> 1966<\/span><\/a> and FDA-approved as an antidepressant in<\/span> 1981<\/span><\/a>. That said, Dr. Ajao says it is no longer common to prescribe trazodone as a standalone depression treatment because newer antidepressants are more effective. \u201cDoctors often give trazodone along with other antidepressants, especially SSRIs, because it can help with trouble sleeping caused by SSRIs and may also help reduce sexual side effects from SSRIs,\u201d she adds.<\/span><\/p>\n

These days, the most common use for trazodone is insomnia, especially in patients who are also diagnosed with depression or anxiety, according to Dr. Gosnell. Trazodone is still not FDA-approved for sleep problems, but some healthcare providers prefer to prescribe it because it is well-tolerated, available at a low price, and has a lower risk of addiction than some other sleep aids.<\/span><\/p>\n

Common uses for trazodone<\/span><\/h2>\n

Trazodone is still only approved by the<\/span> U.S. Food and Drug Administration<\/span><\/a> for one purpose:<\/span> The treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, trazodone is<\/span> prescribed off-label<\/span><\/a> (for something other than its FDA-approved purpose) for the following:<\/span><\/p>\n