Description of Trazodone. Trazodone: oral antidepressant (trade name Desyrel) that is a nontricyclic drug used as a sedative. Trazodone: A synthetic triazolopyridine derivative, antidepressant and sedative Trazodone acts as a serotonin uptake inhibitor, chemically unrelated to tricyclic, tetracyclic, or other antidepressants.