Trazodone vs Sertraline: side-by-side comparison
Trazodone (Atypical antidepressant / serotonin modulator) and Sertraline (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)) 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 | Trazodone | Sertraline |
|---|---|---|
| Therapeutic class | Atypical antidepressant / serotonin modulator | Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) |
| CAS | 19794-93-5 | 79617-96-2 |
| ATC | N06AX05 | N06AB06 |
| Molecular weight | 371.86 g/mol | 306.2 g/mol |
| Brands with this active ingredient | 1 | 2 |
What they share
Trazodone and Sertraline 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
Trazodone acts by a different mechanism than Sertraline, 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
Trazodone: La trazodone est classée parmi les antagonistes des récepteurs de la sérotonine et inhibiteurs de sa recapture (SARI). Sertraline: La sertraline bloque sélectivement la recapture de la sérotonine (5-HT) par le neurone présynaptique, ce qui augmente la concentration de sérotonine dans la fente synaptique.
Indications compared
Trazodone: La trazodone est autorisée dans la dépression caractérisée. Sertraline: La sertraline est autorisée dans plusieurs indications psychiatriques chez l'adulte : dépression caractérisée, trouble panique avec ou sans agoraphobie, trouble obsessionnel compulsif (TOC), état de stress post-traumatiq…
Safety profile
Trazodone: Les effets indésirables fréquents sont la sédation (effet recherché à faible dose), la sécheresse buccale, les vertiges, l'hypotension orthostatique et les céphalées. Sertraline: Les effets indésirables fréquents comprennent nausées, diarrhée, insomnie, troubles de la fonction sexuelle, sécheresse buccale et sudation, surtout durant les premières semaines.
Questions fréquentes
Is Trazodone better than Sertraline? ▾
Trazodone and Sertraline are not "better or worse" — they treat different things. The sensible question is which fits your specific need.
Can Trazodone and Sertraline 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 Trazodone
Products with Sertraline
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.