Medical emergency
Priapism (prolonged erection)
A prolonged erection unrelated to sexual activity, listed as an emergency risk in trazodone's FDA prescribing information — men should discontinue the drug and seek emergency care if an erection lasts more than four hours.
Editorially reviewed
This can be a medical emergency. If you notice these signs in yourself or someone else, call 911 (US) or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. Do not wait to see if it passes.
Key points
- Erection lasting more than 4 hours = emergency, discontinue and seek care immediately
- Delayed treatment risks permanent erectile tissue damage
- Certain blood and anatomical conditions raise baseline risk
Priapism is one of the most specific and well-documented serious risks of trazodone. The FDA prescribing information states plainly: men who have an erection lasting greater than four hours, whether painful or not, should immediately discontinue trazodone and seek emergency medical attention, because delayed treatment can cause irreversible damage to erectile tissue.
Men with certain conditions — including sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, leukemia, or anatomical penile abnormalities such as Peyronie's disease — may be at higher risk and should discuss this specifically with their prescriber before starting trazodone.
Call your prescriber or seek care if you notice:
- Any erection lasting longer than 4 hours, painful or not
Not medical advice. This page describes general patterns reported for trazodone and does not replace individualized guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.
