Together, they can discuss all the treatment options to make sure they are selecting the best medication for their needs. It is important that a person talks with their doctor about all supplements and medications they are taking prior to starting trazodone. A person who has trouble sleeping may decide to talk to their doctor about the possibility of taking trazodone. However, trazodone may not be good for everyone and can have unwanted side effects. If you’re being treated in a hospital for severe depression, your dose shouldn’t exceed 600 mg a day. It’s in a class of drugs called serotonin modulators and is thought to work by boosting the amount of the chemical serotonin in your brain.
What You Need to Know Before Taking Trazodone for Sleep
Trazodone is mostly used for its sleep-inducing effects (an off-label indication) rather than as an antidepressant. Only generic forms are available which makes it a lot cheaper than some other sleep-inducing alternatives, are psychedelics addictive and it is not classified as a controlled substance. However, it may cause withdrawal symptoms on discontinuation. Trazodone is a serotonin uptake inhibitor used to treat major depressive disorder.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using trazodone?
The patient usually follows up with their primary care clinician. Pharmacists should check for drug interactions and alert the prescriber. Specialty nurses should educate the patients on the the best way to detox from weed importance of adherence and the drug’s adverse effects. Trazodone is an antidepressant that belongs to a group of drugs called serotonin receptor antagonists and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs).
Response and effectiveness
The medication is available in oral tablets of trazodone hydrochloride 50, 100, 150, and 300 mg in the US. It may be administered after meals to decrease lightheadedness and postural hypotension. The most common side effects of Trazodone are mild and do not usually require a change in dosing or prescription. Your healthcare provider may increase your dose by 75 mg every three days until you find the right dose for you. The maximum daily dose for extended-release tablets is 375 mg per day.
Serious side effects
That said, doctors may prescribe trazodone off-label for anxiety. To learn more about trazodone’s use for anxiety, talk with your doctor. In addition to depression, trazodone may be used off-label for other conditions. Other possible sexual side effects with trazodone weren’t reported in clinical trials of the drug but have occurred since the drug was approved. These include priapism in males and clitorism in females.
- Trazodone is used to control symptoms of depression, but it cannot cure depression.
- Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits.
- Trazodone is an antidepressant in the serotonin modulators class of drugs.
- The most common side effects of Trazodone are mild and do not usually require a change in dosing or prescription.
Overdose Signs
Permanent damage to the penis may occur if priapism is not treated quickly. Stop taking trazodone and get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of priapism. Low Blood Pressure Upon Standing (Orthostatic Hypotension).
Trazodone may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up from a seated or lying position. To help prevent this, be careful not to get up too quickly. If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down right away until the dizziness stops, then take your time getting up again. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of orthostatic hypotension. Trazodone may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious.
A person may find that getting adequate physical activity, eating a healthful diet, and reducing stress can all help improve sleep quality. Trazodone treats depression and may help a person fall asleep. This type of dependence occurs when a person becomes used to the drug being in their system.
You should not take an extra dose of trazodone to make up for a missed dose. Doing this can increase your risk of side effects from the drug. When trazodone is prescribed for use outside of a treatment facility, such as at home, the alcoholism: definition symptoms traits causes treatment maximum recommended dose is 400 mg per day. The maximum dose of trazodone varies depending on where the drug is prescribed. To learn more about how trazodone compares with these medications, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Trazodone is in a class of medications called serotonin modulators. It works by increasing the amount of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance. The expiration date helps guarantee that the medication is effective during this time.
They also include coordination problems, muscle twitching, stiff muscles, racing heart rate, high or low blood pressure, sweating, fever, and coma. You should have decreased feelings of depression, and your mood should improve. Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the dosage that’s right for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect. Desyrel may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. Trazodone may cause some side effects, especially when first starting the medication.
Before taking trazodone, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Below is a list of medications that can interact with trazodone. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with trazodone.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Trazodone is an antidepressant that is sometimes prescribed as a sleep aid. It is not addictive and may offer additional benefits over other sleep aids for certain conditions, such as sleep apnea. Orexin antagonists belong to a newer drug class for treating insomnia.
They can tell you more about the drug’s use for this condition, including its dosage for sleep and maximum dose for sleep. Your doctor can also tell you how long you sleep after taking the drug for this purpose. Keep in mind that trazodone is not recommended for use in bipolar disorder. This is because the drug may trigger mania or hypomania in people with bipolar disorder. With mania or hypomania, you have episodes of high energy and excitement.
If you’re not sure if you’ll need to get prior authorization for trazodone, contact your insurance company. As with all medications, the cost of trazodone can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. You could also download a reminder app on your phone. The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended.
Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken. Do not stop taking trazodone without talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping too quickly may cause serious side effects, such as anxiety, agitation, and sleep problems. If you no longer need to take trazodone and have leftover medication, it’s important to dispose of it safely. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident.