Trazodone

Introduction

Written by Skyler Todd, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Victor Nguyen, PharmD, MBA
Updated on May 30, 2023

Trazodone oral tablet is a generic medication that’s prescribed for depression. Trazodone is not available in a brand-name version. The cost of trazodone with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Read on to learn about trazodone and its cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about trazodone, including its uses, refer to this overview article.

Cost of trazodone

Like other medications, the cost of trazodone can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use

To find out how much trazodone costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for trazodone” section.

Coupons for trazodone

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of trazodone. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for trazodone

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization. If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of trazodone. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for trazodone. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• Insurance coverage. The cost of your doses will depend on your specific insurance plan. If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.
• A 3-month supply. If you’re taking trazodone long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Common questions about trazodone and cost

Here are some common questions about trazodone and their answers. 

Does trazodone 50 mg cost less than the drug’s other strengths?

The cost of trazodone 50 milligrams (mg) may be less or similar to the cost of other strengths. Trazodone is available in four strengths: 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg.

The cost you pay for each strength will depend on your insurance, the pharmacy you use, and how much medication you’re getting.

Talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider about the most cost-effective option.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active drugs as brand-name medications. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor.

Generics vs. brand-names

Trazodone is a generic medication. It’s not available in a brand-name version.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Trazodone is based on the brand-name version Desyrel, which is no longer available.

Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.

What to ask about trazodone

This article provides cost information related to trazodone. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for trazodone.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• Do higher strengths of trazodone cost more?
• Are there other lower cost medications to treat my condition?
• Will a 3-month supply lower the cost of trazodone?

Resources

• Trazodone hydrochloride tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/0545507a-5c11-4451-872a-d2f7f0aaecd4/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.