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Nefazodone

Nefazodone is an antidepressant used to treat depression, including major depressive disorder.

Brand name Serzone
Drug class Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
Rx Form 1
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026 Content updated Oct 2, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 2 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Oct 7, 2026
Nefazodone at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
The Pharmacist’s Take By · Clinical pharmacist · Written

Nefazodone is an older antidepressant for depression that blocks serotonin and norepinephrine reabsorption and the 5-HT2 serotonin receptor; on the market since about 1994 and available as a generic, it is rarely prescribed and usually saved for people who have tried other antidepressants. Drowsiness, dry mouth, nausea and dizziness are the usual complaints, though it is generally gentler on sexual function than many antidepressants. Liver failure is one of its two boxed warnings, so stop it and call your prescriber at once for yellow skin or eyes, poor appetite, stomach pain or unusual tiredness. The other covers suicidal thoughts in young adults, so watch mood closely early on.

Clinical pearls

  • Never restart nefazodone if it has ever injured your liver, even after your liver tests return to normal.
  • Take it the same way each day, always with food or always without, because food reduces how much is absorbed.
  • It sharply raises blood levels of triazolam, alprazolam and buspirone, so these combinations are avoided or need much lower doses.
  • Tell your surgeon or anesthesiologist you take it, since it should be stopped as early as possible before planned surgery.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →
⚠️ FDA Boxed Warning — the FDA’s strongest safety alert ▾

Nefazodone carries two serious boxed warnings that every patient should know about.

First, like other antidepressants, it can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 18–24) — especially in the early weeks of treatment. It is not approved for use in patients under 18. All patients starting this medication should be watched closely for worsening depression, new or unusual thoughts of self-harm, agitation, or big changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should stay in close contact with the prescriber.

Second, nefazodone can cause life-threatening liver failure, including cases requiring liver transplant or resulting in death. Watch for yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), loss of appetite, stomach problems, or extreme tiredness — and report any of these to your doctor immediately. Do not take nefazodone if you have active liver disease or if you previously had to stop taking it because of liver damage.

Read the full warning on DailyMed →
How you get itPrescription only
Comes asTablet
Earliest FDA record1994
Companies listing it with the FDA2
FDA label last updatedSep 4, 2025
FDA’s strongest warning (boxed)Yes, read the warning

Patient information guide A plain-language walkthrough of Nefazodone, written from its FDA label.

What Nefazodone is used for

▾

Nefazodone is an antidepressant approved for the following use:

  • Treatment of depression (major depressive disorder): Nefazodone Hydrochloride tablets are indicated for treating depression in adults, including patients with significant symptoms like depressed mood, loss of interest, sleep changes, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, or feelings of worthlessness.
  • Prevention of depression relapse: Nefazodone Hydrochloride tablets have been shown to reduce the risk of depression returning in patients who achieved a good response during initial treatment.

Because of its risk of serious liver injury, prescribers are generally advised to consider other antidepressant options first. Nefazodone Hydrochloride tablets are not approved for use in patients under 18, and are not approved for treating bipolar depression.

How Nefazodone works

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Nefazodone works on brain chemistry in two main ways. It blocks the reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin and norepinephrine — two chemical messengers involved in mood — so more of them stay active in the brain. It also blocks a specific serotonin receptor (the 5-HT2 receptor), which may contribute to its antidepressant effect. It also has mild effects on certain adrenaline receptors, which can sometimes cause a drop in blood pressure when standing up.

The exact reason these actions relieve depression is not fully understood, which is true of most antidepressants.

Nefazodone dosage

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Nefazodone Hydrochloride tablets are taken by mouth twice a day. The dose is usually started low and gradually increased over weeks based on how you respond and tolerate it — always under your prescriber's guidance. Older adults and people who are debilitated typically start at a lower dose. Food can slow absorption and reduce the amount your body gets, so take it the same way (with or without food) each time for consistency.

  • Take exactly as prescribed — do not change your dose without talking to your doctor
  • It may take several weeks to feel the full benefit; do not stop early without guidance
  • Switching to or from an MAOI requires a waiting period — at least 14 days after stopping an MAOI before starting nefazodone, and at least 7 days after stopping nefazodone before starting an MAOI

Dosing details from the FDA-approved label

From the Nefazodone prescribing information (“Dosage and Administration”). Doses are set by your prescriber for your product, condition, kidney function and age — never change a dose on your own.

  • Initial Treatment (depression)
    • Recommended starting dose is 200 mg/day, administered in two divided doses (BID)
    • Effective dose range in controlled trials was generally 300 to 600 mg/day
    • Increase in increments of 100 mg/day to 200 mg/day on a BID schedule, at intervals of no less than 1 week
  • Elderly or debilitated patients
    • Recommended initial dose is 100 mg/day, administered in two divided doses (BID)
    • Often have reduced nefazodone clearance and/or increased sensitivity to side effects of CNS-active drugs; rate of dose titration may be modified
  • Maintenance/Continuation/Extended Treatment
    • Treatment for acute episodes of depression should continue for up to 6 months or longer
    • Efficacy was maintained for up to 36 weeks following 16 weeks of open-label acute treatment at dosages that averaged 438 mg/day
    • For most patients the maintenance dose was that associated with response during acute treatment
  • Switching to or from a monoamine oxidase inhibitor
    • At least 14 days between discontinuation of an MAOI and initiation of nefazodone
    • At least 7 days after stopping nefazodone before starting an MAOI
Read the label’s full dosing text

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION When deciding among the alternative treatments available for depression, the prescriber should consider the risk of hepatic failure associated with nefazodone hydrochloride treatment (see WARNINGS ). Initial Treatment The recommended starting dose for nefazodone hydrochloride tablets USP is 200 mg/day, administered in two divided doses (BID). In the controlled clinical trials establishing the antidepressant efficacy of nefazodone, the effective dose range was generally 300 to 600 mg/day. Consequently, most patients, depending on tolerability and the need for further clinical effect, should have their dose increased. Dose increases should occur in increments of 100 mg/day to 200 mg/day, again on a BID schedule, at intervals of no less than 1 week. As with all antidepressants, several weeks on treatment may be required to obtain a full antidepressant response. Dosage for Elderly or Debilitated Patients The recommended initial dose for elderly or debilitated patients is 100 mg/day, administered in two divided doses (BID). These patients often have reduced nefazodone clearance and/or increased sensitivity to the side effects of CNS-active drugs. It may also be appropriate to modify the rate of subsequent dose titration. As steady-state plasma levels do not change with age, the final target dose based on a careful assessment of the patient’s clinical response may be similar in healthy younger and older patients. Maintenance/Continuation/Extended Treatment There is no body of evidence available from controlled trials to indicate how long the depressed patient should be treated with nefazodone. It is generally agreed, however, that pharmacological treatment for acute episodes of depression should continue for up to 6 months or longer. Whether the dose of antidepressant needed to induce remission is identical to the dose needed to maintain euthymia is unknown. Systematic evaluation of the efficacy of nefazodone has shown that efficacy is maintained for periods of up to 36 weeks following 16 weeks of open-label acute treatment (treated for 52 weeks total) at dosages that averaged 438 mg/day. For most patients, their maintenance dose was that associated with response during acute treatment (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ).

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Dosage and Administration section on DailyMed →

Nefazodone side effects

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The most common side effects people notice with nefazodone include:

Common side effects

  • Drowsiness or sleepiness
  • Dry mouth
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Constipation
  • Blurred or abnormal vision
  • Weakness or low energy (asthenia)
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when standing up
  • Blurred vision or other visual changes (such as seeing trails or blind spots)
  • Confusion or difficulty concentrating

When to get medical help

  • Signs of liver problems — yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), loss of appetite, stomach pain, unusual tiredness: stop taking it and call your doctor immediately
  • New or worsening thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or unusual changes in mood or behavior — especially in the first weeks of treatment or after a dose change
  • Low sodium (hyponatremia) symptoms: headache, confusion, weakness, unsteadiness, seizures, or fainting
  • Symptoms of a dangerous interaction with MAOIs: high fever, severe muscle stiffness, rapid heart rate, agitation, or coma
  • Eye pain or sudden vision changes that could signal angle-closure glaucoma
  • Signs of mania: extreme energy, racing thoughts, reckless behavior

Nefazodone warnings and precautions

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  • Liver failure: This is the most critical risk. Life-threatening liver failure, including deaths and transplants, has been reported. Watch for jaundice (yellow skin or eyes), loss of appetite, stomach pain, or extreme tiredness. Stop the medication and seek care immediately if these appear. Do not restart it if you've had liver injury from it before.
  • Suicidal thoughts: Antidepressants can increase suicidal thinking in children, teens, and young adults (under 25), especially early in treatment or after dose changes. Nefazodone is not approved for anyone under 18. All patients need close monitoring for mood changes or unusual behavior.
  • Low sodium (hyponatremia): Can cause headache, confusion, weakness, and in severe cases seizures or loss of consciousness. Older adults may be at higher risk.
  • Dangerous MAOI interaction: Combining nefazodone with MAOIs can cause a life-threatening reaction with high fever, severe muscle stiffness, and agitation. Always allow the required waiting period when switching.
  • Bipolar disorder risk: Using an antidepressant alone when someone has undiagnosed bipolar disorder may trigger a manic episode. Your doctor should screen for this before starting treatment.
  • Angle-closure glaucoma: Nefazodone can dilate the pupils, which may trigger a sudden glaucoma attack in people with a predisposition. Report sudden eye pain or vision changes immediately.

Nefazodone interactions

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Nefazodone interacts with a number of common medicines — some combinations are forbidden, others just need extra caution:

  • MAOIs (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine): Absolutely never combine — the reaction can be fatal. Require a waiting period when switching.
  • Terfenadine, astemizole, cisapride, pimozide: Contraindicated — combination can cause dangerous heart rhythm problems.
  • Carbamazepine: Contraindicated — drastically lowers nefazodone levels so it can't work.
  • Triazolam: Nefazodone raises triazolam blood levels dramatically; combination should generally be avoided.
  • Alprazolam: Nefazodone roughly doubles alprazolam levels; dose reduction of alprazolam is needed if used together.
  • Buspirone: Nefazodone can raise buspirone levels by up to 50-fold; only very low doses of buspirone should be used if combined.
  • Digoxin: Nefazodone raises digoxin blood levels — close monitoring required given digoxin's narrow safe range.
  • Alcohol: Not recommended in combination, especially in patients being treated for depression.
  • General anesthetics: Stop nefazodone as early as clinically feasible before elective surgery.
  • Other CNS-active drugs: Use caution with any drug that affects the brain or nervous system — combinations haven't been fully studied.

Interactions listed in the FDA-approved label

From the Nefazodone prescribing information (“Drug Interactions”): what the manufacturer studied or reported to the FDA.

  • Warfarin: Nefazodone decreased exposure to S-warfarin by 12% with no effects on prothrombin or bleeding times or R-warfarin pharmacokinetics; not clinically significant. No warfarin dosage adjustment required; monitor patients as required by standard medical practices.
  • Haloperidol: Haloperidol apparent clearance decreased by 35% with no significant increase in peak concentrations; clinical significance unknown. Dosage adjustment of haloperidol may be necessary.
  • Lorazepam: No change in any pharmacokinetic parameter for either drug. Dosage adjustment is not necessary for either drug.
  • Alcohol: Nefazodone did not potentiate the cognitive and psychomotor effects of alcohol in normal subjects. Concomitant use in depressed patients is not advised.
  • Buspirone: Marked increases in plasma buspirone concentrations (up to 20 fold in Cmax and up to 50 fold in AUC); lightheadedness, asthenia, dizziness and somnolence were experienced. If used together, a low dose of buspirone (e.g., 2.5 mg QD) is recommended; further adjustment based on clinical assessment.
  • Fluoxetine: Mean AUC of nefazodone metabolites mCPP increased 3 to 6 fold and triazole-dione 1.3 fold; switching without washout may cause transient adverse events such as headache, lightheadedness, nausea, or paresthesia. Allow a washout period (one to several weeks) before starting nefazodone and reduce the initial nefazodone dose.
  • Phenytoin: No effect on single-dose phenytoin pharmacokinetics, but a clinically significant interaction with chronic phenytoin dosing is not precluded. No change in initial phenytoin dosage is considered necessary; later adjustment per usual clinical practice.
  • Lithium: No changes in steady-state pharmacokinetics of lithium or nefazodone; small decreases in mCPP and triazole-dione not clinically significant. No dosage adjustment of either drug is required.
  • Carbamazepine: Carbamazepine Cmax and AUC rose 23%, while nefazodone Cmax and AUC were reduced by 86% and 93%, potentially giving insufficient nefazodone concentrations for an antidepressant effect. Nefazodone should not be used in combination with carbamazepine.
  • Digoxin: Digoxin Cmax, Cmin and AUC increased by 29%, 27% and 15%. Use caution given digoxin's narrow therapeutic index; plasma level monitoring for digoxin is recommended.
Read the label’s full interactions text

Drug Interactions Drugs Highly Bound to Plasma Protein Because nefazodone is highly bound to plasma protein (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY , Pharmacokinetics ), administration of nefazodone to a patient taking another drug that is highly protein bound may cause increased free concentrations of the other drug, potentially resulting in adverse events. Conversely, adverse effects could result from displacement of nefazodone by other highly bound drugs. Warfarin – There were no effects on the prothrombin or bleeding times or upon the pharmacokinetics of R-warfarin when nefazodone (200 mg BID) was administered for 1 week to subjects who had been pretreated for 2 weeks with warfarin. Although the coadministration of nefazodone did decrease the subjects’ exposure to S-warfarin by 12%, the lack of effects on the prothrombin and bleeding times indicates this modest change is not clinically significant. Although these results suggest no adjustments in warfarin dosage are required when nefazodone is administered to patients stabilized on warfarin, such patients should be monitored as required by standard medical practices. CNS-Active Drugs Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors – See WARNINGS . Haloperidol – When a single oral 5 mg dose of haloperidol was coadministered with nefazodone (200 mg BID) at steady state, haloperidol apparent clearance decreased by 35% with no significant increase in peak haloperidol plasma concentrations or time of peak. This change is of unknown clinical significance. Pharmacodynamic effects of haloperidol were generally not altered significantly. There were no changes in the pharmacokinetic parameters for nefazodone. Dosage adjustment of haloperidol may be necessary when coadministered with nefazodone. Lorazepam – When lorazepam (2 mg BID) and nefazodone (200 mg BID) were coadministered to steady state, there was no change in any pharmacokinetic parameter for either drug compared to each drug administered alone.

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Drug Interactions section on DailyMed →

Not a complete list. The label covers the interactions the manufacturer studied or reported, and our own interaction database does not cover every medicine either. Bring your full medication list, including vitamins and herbal products, to your pharmacist.

🌿159 supplements and herbs with documented Nefazodone interactions, ranked by severity Check Nefazodone against a supplement or herb →

Before taking Nefazodone

▾
  • You have active liver disease or elevated liver enzyme tests — nefazodone should generally not be started in this case
  • You were previously stopped from taking nefazodone because of liver injury — you cannot take it again
  • You are allergic to nefazodone or other phenylpiperazine-type antidepressants
  • You are under 18 — nefazodone is not approved for pediatric use
  • You are older or debilitated — you may need a lower starting dose, as the drug clears more slowly
  • You have or may have bipolar disorder — tell your doctor about any family history of bipolar disorder or mania
  • You have narrow-angle glaucoma or are at risk for it
  • You take any medicines that affect the heart rhythm, liver enzymes, or brain chemistry — especially MAOIs, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, or digoxin
  • You are planning surgery — tell your anesthesiologist you take nefazodone

Nefazodone overdose

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Taking too much nefazodone most commonly causes nausea, vomiting, and heavy drowsiness. In rare cases, especially when combined with alcohol or other substances, more serious effects including seizures have been reported. If you think someone has taken too much, call Poison Control or go to the nearest emergency room right away — do not try to make the person vomit.

What Nefazodone does in the body

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Nefazodone increases the availability of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain by blocking their reabsorption (reuptake) into nerve cells. It also acts as an antagonist (blocker) at serotonin 5-HT2 receptors. Additionally, it blocks alpha-1 adrenergic receptors, which can cause blood pressure to drop when a person stands up quickly (postural hypotension). Unlike some other antidepressants, it does not significantly bind to dopamine, cholinergic, or benzodiazepine receptors.

How your body processes Nefazodone

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Nefazodone is absorbed quickly after an oral dose — peak blood levels appear within about an hour — but only about 20% of the dose actually reaches the bloodstream because the body breaks it down extensively on the first pass through the liver. Its half-life (the time for blood levels to drop by half) is just 2 to 4 hours, though its metabolites last longer. The drug builds up in the body over the first 4 to 5 days of twice-daily dosing, and blood levels rise more than expected as the dose increases. Food slows absorption and reduces the total amount absorbed by about 20%. Nefazodone is processed almost entirely by the liver and excreted mainly in urine and feces; kidney disease does not significantly affect blood levels, but liver cirrhosis does raise them modestly.

How to store Nefazodone

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Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) . Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container as defined in the USP, with a child-resistant closure (as required).

Written from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

159

Supplements & herbs that interact with Nefazodone

159 supplements and herbal products have documented interactions with Nefazodone in the licensed clinical database we use. Most are manageable — but your pharmacist should know about everything you take, including vitamins and herbals.

Severity mix
  • Major · 4
  • Moderate · 114
  • Minor · 41
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL Major GRAPEFRUIT Major LITHIUM Major ST. JOHN'S WORT Major 5-HTP Moderate ACACIA RIGIDULA Moderate ACETYL-L-CARNITINE Moderate ADRAFINIL Moderate +151 more
Every supplement checked against Nefazodone — ranked by severity The full interaction hub: 4 major · 114 moderate · 41 minor · every one linked to its full report. Check Nefazodone against your exact supplements

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — see our data sources & update cadence. Not medical advice: an interaction being documented does not mean it will happen to you; do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

1

Nutrient depletion considerations

Nefazodone has been associated with lower levels of 1 nutrient in the clinical literature. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these may be worth discussing with your pharmacist or healthcare provider, especially with long-term use.

SODIUM Moderate Depletion
See the full Nefazodone nutrient depletion report

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — not medical advice. Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

Nefazodone: pharmacist answers to common questions

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Nefazodone — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What is nefazodone actually used for?

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Nefazodone is prescribed to treat depression — specifically major depressive disorder. It's also been shown to help keep depression from coming back after a successful first course of treatment. It's not approved for children or teenagers, and it's not used for bipolar depression. Because it carries a rare but serious risk of liver failure, your doctor has likely considered other options first before recommending it for you.

How long does it take before I feel better?

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Most people don't notice the full effect right away — it typically takes several weeks of consistent use before nefazodone really kicks in. That's normal for antidepressants. In the meantime, you might notice some side effects before you notice mood improvement. Don't stop taking it on your own if you're not feeling better in the first week — give it the time your prescriber recommended and check in with them if you have concerns.

What side effects should I watch for?

▾
The most common ones are drowsiness, dry mouth, nausea, dizziness (especially when you stand up quickly), constipation, and blurred or unusual vision. Most of these tend to be manageable. The ones to take seriously right away are any yellowing of your skin or eyes, unusual fatigue, or loss of appetite — those could point to liver trouble and you should call your doctor immediately. Also contact your doctor or go to the ER if you notice any thoughts of harming yourself or a sudden worsening of your mood, especially in the first weeks of treatment.

Are there medicines I absolutely cannot take with nefazodone?

▾
Yes — there are a few combinations that are completely off-limits. Never take nefazodone with MAOIs (a type of antidepressant like phenelzine or tranylcypromine) — the combination can be life-threatening, and you need to wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAOI before starting nefazodone. It also cannot be taken with certain heart and anti-nausea medicines (terfenadine, astemizole, cisapride, pimozide) or with the seizure medicine carbamazepine. Make sure every doctor and pharmacist you see knows all the medicines you take.

What should I know about nefazodone and my liver?

▾
This is the most important safety point with nefazodone. In rare cases it has caused serious liver failure — some cases required a transplant or were fatal. Your doctor should know about any liver problems you have before you start. While you're taking it, watch for yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, unusual loss of appetite, stomach pain, or feeling extremely tired for no clear reason. If any of those show up, stop the medication and contact your doctor right away. If you ever had to stop nefazodone because of liver damage, you should not take it again.

Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking nefazodone?

▾
It's best to avoid alcohol while you're on nefazodone. The label advises against combining them, particularly for people being treated for depression. Alcohol can also worsen the drowsiness and dizziness that nefazodone can cause. If you have questions about specific situations, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

Is Nefazodone available over the counter?

▾
No. Nefazodone is a prescription medicine: every Nefazodone product listed with the FDA is prescription only, so it is not sold over the counter. Your prescriber decides whether it is appropriate for you, and your pharmacist dispenses it.

When was Nefazodone first available?

▾
The earliest FDA record we hold for Nefazodone is from 1994: its first approval in Drugs@FDA or its earliest product listing in the NDC Directory, whichever is older. Many older medicines were in use before their first formal FDA approval, so this is the earliest date on record, not necessarily when Nefazodone was first used.

Who makes Nefazodone?

▾
2 companies currently list Nefazodone products in the FDA's NDC Directory, including Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., Bryant Ranch Prepack. That count includes repackagers and distributors as well as manufacturers (companies that sell only the raw ingredient are not counted), so fewer companies actually make it; the label on your bottle names the one that supplied yours.

Answers drafted from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

More about Nefazodone on HelloPharmacist

📊Nefazodone supplement interactions159 checked — ranked by severity 🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerNefazodone vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Nefazodone NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication
Detailed data & references for Nefazodone Forms & strengths, pricing, billing codes, manufacturers, safety reports and sourcing — the data behind the page. Most people can stop here. Each section below opens on a tap.

Nefazodone forms and strengths (how it comes)

Nefazodone is available in 1 form. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Need a version that does not list lactose, a gluten source, a dye or gelatin? Inactive ingredients differ by manufacturer: see Nefazodone inactive ingredients by manufacturer.

Tablet

By mouth
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Nefazodone Hydrochloride tablets are used to treat depression, including major depressive disorder
  • Nefazodone Hydrochloride tablets have been shown to help prevent depression from returning in patients who responded to an initial course of treatment
Important instructions
  • Nefazodone Hydrochloride tablets are taken by mouth twice daily (two divided doses)
  • Nefazodone Hydrochloride tablets may be taken with or without food, but food can reduce how much the body absorbs — be consistent
  • Elderly or debilitated patients should start at a lower dose as directed by their prescriber
  • Allow at least 14 days after stopping an MAOI before starting Nefazodone Hydrochloride tablets, and at least 7 days after stopping nefazodone before starting an MAOI
Available strengths 5 strengths
50 mg 100 mg 150 mg 200 mg 250 mg
12 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Nefazodone on the U.S. market: products, makers and brands

How Nefazodone appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

2 companies list 6 Nefazodone product records with the FDA, mostly as tablet; the earliest marketing or approval year on record is 1994. Brand names on the directory include Serzone; the rest are generics.

1
Dose forms ⓘ
2
Labelers (makers, repackagers, distributors)
1
Brand names
6
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
1994
Earliest FDA record ⓘ

Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (1) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.83%
Bryant Ranch Prepack17%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

How widely Nefazodone is used (Medicaid data)

A general measure of how commonly Nefazodone is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Nefazodone is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

235
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$22,545 gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Nefazodone prescribed? Of the 1,601 medications we measure, Nefazodone ranks #1,439 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 10% of them.

Where Nefazodone ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #1,439 of 1,601
#1,434 Dexrazoxane Injection 265 Rx #1,435 Sotorasib 265 Rx #1,436 Nitisinone 264 Rx #1,437 Caffeine 262 Rx #1,438 Dopamine 259 Rx #1,439 Nefazodone 235 Rx #1,440 Mogamulizumab-kpkc Inj... 230 Rx #1,441 Ciprofloxacin Otic 225 Rx #1,442 Molindone 217 Rx #1,443 Adefovir 213 Rx #1,444 Edoxaban 210 Rx

Utilization by Nefazodone product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

The 100 mg oral tablet is the most-dispensed Nefazodone product — about 47% of these Medicaid prescriptions.

nefazodone hydrochloride 100 MG Oral Tablet Most dispensed

110 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 47% of Nefazodone prescriptions shown $10,208 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $93 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 1 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1098649

nefazodone hydrochloride 150 MG Oral Tablet

86 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 37% of Nefazodone prescriptions shown $9,603 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $112 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 5 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1098666

nefazodone hydrochloride 50 MG Oral Tablet

24 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 10% of Nefazodone prescriptions shown $1,440 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $60 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 1 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1098678

nefazodone hydrochloride 200 MG Oral Tablet

15 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 6% of Nefazodone prescriptions shown $1,295 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $86 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 1 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1098670

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Nefazodone, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 4 of 8 listed Nefazodone NDCs with Medicaid activity.

Compare Nefazodone products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Nefazodone — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Strength Route Manufacturer / Labeler Category ⓘ Details
💊Tablet
150 mg Oral Bryant Ranch Prepack ANDA View NDC →
50 mg Oral Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. ANDA View NDC →
100 mg Oral Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. ANDA View NDC →
150 mg Oral Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. ANDA View NDC →
200 mg Oral Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. ANDA View NDC →
250 mg Oral Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. ANDA View NDC →

Showing 6 of 6 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 6 Nefazodone NDCs →

Nefazodone recall history

A recall is when a specific batch of a medicine is pulled from the market — usually a manufacturing issue, not a problem with the drug itself. Class I is most serious, Class III least.

The FDA’s enforcement reports list no Nefazodone recalls since July 2021.

✅No Nefazodone recalls on record since July 2021

Source: FDA enforcement (recall) reports, via openFDA; our copy was last updated Sep 24, 2026.

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Nefazodone RxCUI 31565 1 dose form · 6 strengths

Look up RxCUI 31565 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

💵 What Nefazodone costs pharmacies (NADAC benchmark)

The national average invoice price pharmacies pay for the drug itself, from CMS's NADAC survey (data as of Sep 30, 2026). This is a supply-cost benchmark — not a retail price and not what you'd pay at the counter.

FormStrengthPharmacy acquisition benchmark
Tablet · Oral 150 mg $1.26 per tablet NDC details & price history
Tablet · Oral 100 mg $1.17 per tablet NDC details & price history
Tablet · Oral 200 mg $1.33 per tablet NDC details & price history
Why show this? Your out-of-pocket cost depends on insurance, pharmacy markup, and discounts — but the acquisition benchmark tells you whether the medication itself is inexpensive or costly, which strengths cost more per dose, and whether a cash-price quote is in a reasonable range. Each row links to the NDC-level record with its full price history.

Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), a survey of retail pharmacy invoice prices. Benchmarks shown are the range across package sizes of a representative product for each form and strength — other manufacturers' products may differ.

Nefazodone brand names

Nefazodone is sold under one brand name in the FDA directory — Serzone. A brand and its generic contain the same active ingredient; the brand name belongs to one company's product.

Serzone

Who makes Nefazodone: manufacturers and labelers

2 companies list Nefazodone products with the FDA. By number of product records, the largest are Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., Bryant Ranch Prepack. Labelers include manufacturers and repackagers; the product in your bottle depends on which one your pharmacy stocks.

Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. 5 Bryant Ranch Prepack 1

Nefazodone drug class (RxNorm)

Nefazodone belongs to the Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor class.

Pharmacologic class Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
Drug family (ATC) Other antidepressants

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

Sources for this Nefazodone page

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Sep 4, 2025
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Nefazodone.
📈
Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
🚨
Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Nefazodone after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
2
Finished products in the current FDA directory
6
Companies listing them (makers, repackagers, distributors)
2
FDA labeler codes behind them ⓘ
2
Linked representative label ⓘ
Bryant Ranch Prepack
Linked label effective
Sep 4, 2025
Composite sections available
22
Linked SPL Set ID
0bd4c34a-4f43-4c84-8b98-1d074cba97d5
Linked SPL Document ID
8962e4a7-1e27-4a03-ab51-34fc4f9c6847
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗

How this page is built

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records and does not author the underlying clinical facts. The plain-language sections are written with AI from the FDA-approved label text and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Bryant Ranch Prepack is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates. This is general education, not medical advice: always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own medicines. How we build and review drug pages →