What is "trazodone"

n. A psychoactive compound, a triazolopyridine derivative with sedative, anxiolytic, and antidepressant properties.

n. oral antidepressant (trade name Desyrel) that is a nontricyclic drug used as a sedative [syn: trazodone hydrochloride, Desyrel]

Trazodone (sold under many brand names worldwide) is an antidepressant of the serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI) class. It is a phenylpiperazine compound. Trazodone also has anti-anxiety ( anxiolytic) and sleep-inducing ( hypnotic) effects. Its side-effect profile and potential toxicity are considerably different from those of the original antidepressants (i.e., the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)).