Citalopram vs Trazodone: side-by-side comparison
Citalopram (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)) and Trazodone (Atypical antidepressant / serotonin modulator) belong to different therapeutic classes and are rarely substitutes for each other. The comparison is useful when a single patient is weighing both options for adjacent or overlapping needs.
| Property | Citalopram | Trazodone |
|---|---|---|
| Therapeutic class | Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) | Atypical antidepressant / serotonin modulator |
| CAS | 59729-33-8 | 19794-93-5 |
| ATC | N06AB04 | N06AX05 |
| Molecular weight | 324.39 g/mol | 371.86 g/mol |
| Brands with this active ingredient | 1 | 1 |
What they share
Citalopram and Trazodone share the common regulatory framework for prescription active ingredients, bioequivalence standards for generics, and pharmacist oversight. Beyond that, points in common are limited.
Key differences
Citalopram acts by a different mechanism than Trazodone, with indications that barely overlap. Comparing the two is useful when a clinician has mentioned both in the same context or the patient wants to understand why one was prescribed instead of the other.
Mechanisms compared
Citalopram: Le citalopram inhibe sélectivement le transporteur de recapture de la sérotonine, augmentant la disponibilité synaptique de la sérotonine avec une affinité limitée pour les transporteurs de la noradrénaline ou les autres… Trazodone: La trazodone est classée parmi les antagonistes des récepteurs de la sérotonine et inhibiteurs de sa recapture (SARI).
Indications compared
Citalopram: Le citalopram est autorisé dans la dépression caractérisée. Trazodone: La trazodone est autorisée dans la dépression caractérisée.
Safety profile
Citalopram: Les effets indésirables fréquents comprennent nausées, sécheresse buccale, céphalées, troubles de la fonction sexuelle, troubles du sommeil et augmentation de la sudation. Trazodone: Les effets indésirables fréquents sont la sédation (effet recherché à faible dose), la sécheresse buccale, les vertiges, l'hypotension orthostatique et les céphalées.
Questions fréquentes
Is Citalopram better than Trazodone? ▾
Citalopram and Trazodone are not "better or worse" — they treat different things. The sensible question is which fits your specific need.
Can Citalopram and Trazodone be combined? ▾
Whether they can be combined depends on the indications and the interaction profile of each. If both are in a single prescription, the prescriber has weighed it; in self-medication they should never be combined.
Do they have the same side-effect profile? ▾
No — they belong to different classes and have distinct side-effect profiles. Each has its own prescribing information.
Products with Citalopram
Products with Trazodone
Les informations publiées sur ce site sont fournies à titre documentaire et pédagogique. Elles ne remplacent pas l'avis d'un professionnel de santé qualifié.