Q.  Is Nefazodone really available and out of shortage.

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A.  Yes, on December 20, 2021 Teva Pharmaceuticals brought Nefazodone back to the market.

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Q.  What type of medication is nefazodone and what makes it unique.

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A.  Nefazodone is what is called an SNDRI.  Most antidepressants work on serotonin and some also work on norepinephrine.  Nefazodone works on serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.  It is the only SNDRI medication that is available.  It also is known to have fewer sexual side effects than other antidepressants.

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Q.  Why does my pharmacy still not have nefazodone in stock.  They tell me it has to be ordered.

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A.  Being nefazodone has recently came out of shortage there are not a bunch of people going to each pharmacy to get their prescription to be filled.  The pharmacies don't want to order it and then have it expire on their shelves.  Most pharmacies will be able to get the medication in a few days.

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Q.  I don't think it is the same medication as before the shortage, it doesn't seem to be working.

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A.  The medication is exactly the same.  If you were watching the FDA shortage site at the end of the shortage there was a "regulatory delay" before nefazodone was released.  What that was, since nefazodone had some supply issue and this is also done at regular intervals for all medications is Teva had to send a test batch to the FDA.  The FDA checks that batch of medication and makes sure it is the exact same formula.  If it isn't, it is no longer nefazodone and Teva would have had to destroy that run of nefazodone.  Obviously a pharmaceutical company isn't going to try to sneak something by the FDA as this could cost them a significant amount of money.  If it changes it would be a new medication and would have to undergo testing clinical trials, and FDA approval.  To understand how stringent the FDA is, if Teva wanted to package the medication in blister packs instead of bottles they have to file an application with the FDA and again send in a batch for approval before it can be distributed.

The reason it may not be working can be very complicated.  Your age, other medications you are taking, it can take 6-8 weeks for the medication to reach its full potential once you are up to your full dosage.  I think most of us that went back to it had some kind of side effects or it took time for it to really work good.  Please discuss this with your doctor.  You can also join our support group as we have had members that struggled restarting it.  It helps knowing you are not alone.


Q.  I heard the ingredients for Nefazodone come from China and we will always have trouble with availability.

A.  This is not true.  None of the ingredients come from China.  Ingredients come from multiple countries. Some of them are Ireland, Israel, United States, Malta, etc.


Q.  Can a shortage happen again or what if Teva decides to discontinue it, I went through hell and I am scared to start taking it again.

A.  Any medication can go into shortage at any time.  If multiple companies make a medication it is less likely to happen.  Teva has told me that they have no plans on discontinuing nefazodone.  The FDA also informed me that they will advocate for nefazodone to stay on the market in the interest of public health.  The FDA said that if they ask a company to continue making a medication that they have never had a company refuse to make it.  If you are still concerned, talk to your doctor about your fears and ask if you can get a backup supply.  On the home page we also have a petition to Teva and the FDA for nefazodone to be produced indefinitely.  Please sign the petition, it only takes a few minutes.  You can unsubscribe to the emails.


Q.  Why did Teva double the price of nefazodone since it came back from shortage.  It is used for depression, anxiety, and panic disorder and it shouldn't cost so much.

A.  It is true that Teva raised the price of Nefazodone around 5% in 2022.  If you were one of the lucky people who found some once the shortage started you would have noticed that the price doubled at that time.  When it went into shortage Teva did not have any nefazodone.  The only ones that had it were the wholesalers and the pharmacies.  They are the ones that doubled the price.