Trazodone is associated with which rare penile-related adverse effect?

• A. Priapism
• B. Erectile dysfunction
• C. Penile deformity
• D. Penile rupture

Answer: (A)

Trazodone can cause priapism, a prolonged, often painful erection lasting more than four hours. This rare effect is tied to the drug’s pharmacology—serotonin receptor activity and reuptake inhibition combined with alpha-1 adrenergic blockade can disrupt normal blood flow out of the penis, leading to a sustained erection even without sexual stimulation. Priapism is a medical emergency because prolonged penile erection can cause tissue damage if not treated promptly.

Erectile dysfunction describes difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection, which is the opposite problem of priapism and not the effect associated with trazodone. Penile deformity or rupture are not typical adverse effects of trazodone and are not drug-related risks in standard dosing.