Trazodone
About Trazodone
Trazodone is an oral medication primarily prescribed to treat depression. It helps restore the natural balance of certain chemicals in the brain, which can significantly improve your mood, sleep quality, and energy levels. Doctors also prescribe it to help manage anxiety that often accompanies depression.
To get the best results, you should take this medicine consistently every day exactly as your doctor directs. It is usually taken once daily at bedtime, and you should take it with or shortly after a light meal or snack to help prevent an upset stomach. Combining this treatment with lifestyle changes, such as keeping a regular sleep schedule and avoiding caffeine late in the day, can further support your recovery.
While taking this medicine, you may experience some mild side effects like drowsiness or dry mouth. However, you must seek medical attention immediately if you notice serious symptoms, such as worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, a fast or irregular heartbeat, or a painful, prolonged erection.
Before starting this medication, tell your doctor if you have a history of heart problems, liver or kidney disease, seizures, or narrow-angle glaucoma. Do not take this if you are currently taking, or have recently taken (within the last 14 days), a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), as this can cause a dangerous drug reaction.
This medicine can interact with alcohol and other drugs that cause drowsiness, making you feel extremely sleepy or dizzy. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you are an elderly individual, consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting therapy to ensure it is safe for your specific situation.
Uses of Trazodone
Medicinal Benefits
Trazodone provides meaningful support for managing depression symptoms by addressing emotional changes and sleep disturbances that can affect daily life. Key benefits include:
- Promotes Restful Sleep: By helping restore healthier sleep patterns, Trazodone supports improved sleep quality, which can contribute to better daytime energy, concentration, and overall functioning.
- Helps Improve Mood Balance: By supporting the regulation of mood-related chemicals in the brain, Trazodone helps reduce persistent low mood and promotes greater emotional stability.
- Supports Return to Daily Activities: By easing symptoms of depression, Trazodone helps improve motivation, interest in everyday activities, and overall quality of life.
Directions for Use
- Take Trazodone with or after food to prevent stomach upset.
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations on the dosage and timing of this medication to achieve optimal results.
- Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Trazodone
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Drowsiness, sleepiness, or feeling tired during the day
- Dry mouth or an unpleasant taste
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling unsteady when standing up
- Mild nausea, vomiting, or constipation
- Blurred vision
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, or sudden mood changes
- A painful, prolonged erection lasting more than four hours
- An irregular, fast, or pounding heartbeat
- Severe dizziness, fainting, or chest pain
- Signs of liver damage, such as yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark urine, or persistent abdominal pain
- Signs of an allergic reaction, including hives, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, and difficulty breathing
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Do not stop suddenly: Avoid discontinuing this medicine without medical advice, as sudden withdrawal may cause symptoms such as irritability, headache, and sleep disturbances.
- Be cautious with activities requiring alertness: Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or perform hazardous tasks until you understand how this medication affects your alertness and coordination.
- Check before using pain relievers: Consult your doctor before taking over-the-counter pain medicines, especially aspirin or ibuprofen, as they may increase the risk of bleeding when combined with this medicine.
- Seek urgent medical help for prolonged erection: Male patients should seek immediate medical attention if they experience a painful erection or an erection lasting longer than 4 hours, as prompt treatment is needed to prevent complications.
- Attend regular medical check-ups: Keep scheduled appointments with your doctor to monitor your response to treatment and assess any changes in mood or mental well-being.
Drug Interactions
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): Do not take this medicine with MAOIs, or within 14 days of stopping them, as this can cause a life-threatening reaction.
- Blood Thinners and NSAIDs: Taking this with medicines like warfarin, aspirin, or ibuprofen can increase your risk of bruising and bleeding.
- Central Nervous System Depressants: Combining this medicine with sleep aids, muscle relaxants, or prescription pain relievers can cause severe drowsiness and slowed breathing.
- Heart Rhythm Medications: Certain drugs that affect your heart rate can interact with this medicine and increase the risk of irregular heart rhythms.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid consumption of alcohol as it may interact with Trazodone and increase the risk of side effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeTrazodone is a category C medicine as may cause harmful effects on the unborn baby. If you are pregnant, inform your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionTrazodone may pass into the breastmilk and cause unwanted effects in your infant. If you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
cautionTrazodone may cause drowsiness. So, do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel drowsy.
Liver
cautionTrazodone should be used with caution in patients with severe liver diseases. Your doctor may adjust the dose based on your condition.
Kidney
cautionTrazodone should be used with caution in patients with severe kidney diseases. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
unsafeTrazodone is not recommended for children and adolescents below 18 years as it can cause suicidal tendencies.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid alcohol: Drinking alcohol while taking this medicine can dangerously increase drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion.
- Stand up slowly: To prevent dizziness or fainting caused by a temporary drop in blood pressure, take your time when rising from a sitting or lying position.
- Manage dry mouth: Sip water throughout the day, suck on sugarless ice chips or hard candies, or chew sugar-free gum to keep your mouth moist.
- Maintain a sleep routine: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day to support your body's natural sleep cycle and maximise the sleep-promoting benefits of the medication.
- Eat a balanced diet: Regular meals can help stabilise your energy levels and minimise stomach discomfort.
Special Advise
- Trazodone may affect your blood glucose levels. So, patients with diabetes should monitor blood glucose levels regularly while using this medicine.
- Inform your doctor that you are taking Trazodone if you are undergoing any medical or dental treatment.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Depression: It is a mood disorder characterized by the persistent feeling of sadness, unhappiness, anger, hopelessness, or loss that interferes with a person’s daily activities. Depression can also influence some chronic health conditions and relationships. In this condition, neurotransmitters (chemicals in the brain) such as dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline levels decrease, resulting in symptoms of depression. The exact cause of depression is unknown, but it may be associated with mental problems, trauma, family history, drug use, and medical conditions. Counselling (psychotherapy) and antidepressants can be used to treat depression.
FAQs
Trazodone belongs to a group of medications called antidepressants used to treat depression.
Trazodone contains 'trazodone', which is an antidepressant. It works by restoring the levels of serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain. Serotonin and noradrenaline are chemicals in the brain responsible for improving energy, mood, and emotion levels.
Trazodone cause drowsiness and can be used to treat insomnia (problem falling asleep). However, the dose and duration of this medicine required for treating insomnia are given by your doctor.
Trazodone may cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, indigestion, and drowsiness. These side effects usually go away without requiring any treatment. However, if these side effects persist or worsen, inform a doctor immediately.
Trazodone may affect your blood sugar levels. So, your doctor may advise you to check your blood sugar levels regularly while using this medicine.
No, you should avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine. Alcohol can severely increase the drowsiness, dizziness, and coordination problems caused by the medication, making daily activities unsafe. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about avoiding alcohol.
Some people may experience changes in appetite or weight while taking this medication, but it affects everyone differently. It is less likely to cause significant weight gain compared to some other medicines used for depression. Talk to your doctor if you notice unusual changes in your weight.
No, this medication is not considered addictive or habit-forming. However, your body can become accustomed to it over time. Stopping the medicine suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms like dizziness, headache, or nausea, so you should always consult your doctor to discuss gradually reducing your dose. Talk to your doctor if you want to stop treatment.
Since this medicine commonly causes drowsiness, it is usually best to take it once a day at bedtime. Taking it with or shortly after a light meal or snack can also help prevent stomach irritation. Always follow the specific timing and dosing instructions provided by your doctor. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure when to take it.
Yes, dry mouth is a very common side effect of this medicine. You can manage this by sipping water frequently, sucking on sugar-free ice chips or hard candies, or chewing sugarless gum. Talk to your doctor if the dry mouth becomes severe or causes dental issues.
No, you should not stop taking this medication just because your symptoms improve. Stopping too soon can cause your depression or sleep issues to return, and stopping abruptly can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor will help you decide when and how to stop taking it safely. Talk to your doctor before making any changes.
Yes, this medication can cause a temporary drop in blood pressure, especially when you stand up from a sitting or lying position. This can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded. To prevent this, make sure to stand up slowly and hold onto a stable surface. Talk to your doctor if you have a pre-existing blood pressure condition.
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