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What Is Desyrel?

Desyrel is the original trade name for trazodone hydrochloride tablets, an antidepressant approved for major depressive disorder in adults. FDA records list the original Desyrel tablets as discontinued from U.S. marketing, and FDA determined that discontinuation was not due to safety or effectiveness concerns. Generic trazodone tablets remain marketed.

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What Is Desyrel?

Desyrel is the original trade name for trazodone hydrochloride tablets, an antidepressant approved for major depressive disorder in adults. FDA records list the original Desyrel tablets as discontinued from U.S. marketing, and FDA determined that discontinuation was not due to safety or effectiveness concerns. Generic trazodone tablets remain marketed.

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How Does Trazodone Affect Serotonin Signaling?

The antidepressant mechanism of trazodone is not fully defined. Trazodone inhibits serotonin reuptake and antagonizes 5-HT2 receptors, increasing serotonergic activity in the central nervous system. The relationship between these actions and its antidepressant effect is not fully established.

What Condition Was Desyrel Approved to Treat?

Desyrel was approved for treatment of major depressive disorder in adults. Current generic trazodone tablets carry the same adult major depressive disorder indication. Trazodone is not approved for pediatric patients under current U.S. labeling.

How Are Trazodone Tablets Dosed?

Trazodone treatment starts at 150 mg daily in divided doses. The dose can increase by 50 mg daily every three to four days according to response and tolerability. The usual outpatient maximum is 400 mg daily in divided doses. Tablets are taken shortly after a meal or light snack, and gradual dose reduction is recommended when treatment ends.

What Serious Risks Are Linked to Trazodone?

Trazodone carries a boxed warning for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients taking antidepressants. Other serious risks include serotonin syndrome, cardiac arrhythmias and QT prolongation, low blood pressure, bleeding, priapism, mania or hypomania, withdrawal symptoms, impaired alertness, angle-closure glaucoma, and low sodium.

Frequently Asked Questions About Desyrel

Is Desyrel still marketed in the United States?

The original Desyrel tablets are listed as discontinued, while generic trazodone tablets remain marketed.

Why was Desyrel discontinued?

FDA determined that the original tablets were not discontinued for safety or effectiveness reasons.

What condition does trazodone treat?

Current trazodone tablets are approved for major depressive disorder in adults.

What is the usual trazodone starting dose?

The labeled starting dose is 150 mg daily in divided doses.

References

DailyMed - TRAZODONE HYDROCHLORIDE tablet. https://www.dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=596c3f00-1504-eaed-e063-6294a90a08bb. Date Accessed September 24, 2026.

DESYREL (trazodone hydrochloride) Prescribing Information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/018207s032lbl.pdf. Date Accessed September 24, 2026.

Memorandum Regarding Desyrel Withdrawal From Sale. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2010/022411s000Admincorres.pdf. Date Accessed September 24, 2026.

Trazodone. MedlinePlus. https://www.medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a681038.html. Date Accessed September 24, 2026.

Trazodone. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470560/. Date Accessed September 24, 2026.