Trazodone
Trazodone (TRAZ oh done) is a generic medication prescribed for depression. Trazodone belongs to a group of drugs called antidepressants.
Trazodone (TRAZ oh done) is a generic medication prescribed for depression. Trazodone belongs to a group of drugs called antidepressants.
- Generic
- • Tablet
- • 50mg
- • 30 Tablets
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Introduction
Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Updated on June 9, 2023
This article describes trazodone’s uses, side effects, and more. Below you’ll also find some coupon options to help save on the cost of trazodone.
Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Trazodone oral tablet has a boxed warning about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for trazodone” section.
Common questions about trazodone
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about trazodone.
Is trazodone used for dogs?
Yes, veterinarians (vets) can use trazodone for dogs and other animals. To learn more about using trazodone in animals, talk with your pet’s vet. Do not give trazodone or any other medication to a pet without talking with your pet’s vet.
Can trazodone be used for sleep? If so, what is the dosage?
Possibly. Trazodone isn’t approved to help with sleep. But doctors may prescribe it off-label for sleep because it can cause drowsiness. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for purposes other than its approved uses.
To learn more about taking trazodone for sleep, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Are there brand names available for trazodone?
No, there isn’t a brand-name version of trazodone. It’s only available as a generic medication. For more information, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How does trazodone work? And how long does it take to start working?
The way trazodone works isn’t fully understood. It’s thought to work by balancing chemical messengers in the brain. One of the main ones the drug affects is the brain chemical serotonin. Balancing serotonin may help with depression and mood.
In general, antidepressants, such as trazodone, start to relieve some symptoms within a week or two. But it can take up to 6–8 weeks to see the full effects of trazodone in treating your depression.
If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Side effects of trazodone
Trazodone may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of trazodone and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.
To learn more about trazodone’s side effects, see this article or ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information for trazodone in the “Article resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with some forms of trazodone are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about trazodone’s side effects, see its prescribing information in the “Article resources” section.
With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Trazodone oral tablet’s mild side effects include:
- blurred vision
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- drowsiness
- dry mouth
- mild allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for trazodone” section.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of trazodone are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about trazodone’s side effects, see its prescribing information in the “Article resources” section.
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
In general, trazodone’s serious side effects include:
- unusual heart rhythms
- closed-angle glaucoma (sudden buildup of pressure inside the eye)
- changes in mental and physical abilities that can affect the safety of performing hazardous tasks
- discontinuation syndrome (serious symptoms that can happen when suddenly stopping the drug)
- increased risk of bleeding
- low sodium levels
- orthostatic hypotension (a sudden drop in blood pressure when you stand up), which can cause fainting
- prolonged erection of the penis
- serotonin syndrome (too much of the chemical serotonin in the body), which can be life threatening
- manic episodes (periods of very high energy that can interfere with daily life) in certain people
- boxed warning: risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors*
- severe allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for trazodone” section.
Suicide prevention
If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:
- Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
- Listen to the person without judgment.
- Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
- Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
- Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.
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. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
Uses of trazodone
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as trazodone for certain conditions. Approved uses for trazodone are described below.
Use for depression
Doctors may prescribe trazodone oral tablet for treating depression. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.
With depression, you have changes in the way you feel, think, or behave. Symptoms of depression can include:
- feeling sad, hopeless, or worthless
- lacking interest in activities
- experiencing loss of appetite
- having low energy
- having sleep problems, which may include sleeping more than usual
Doctors may not prescribe trazodone oral tablet in certain situations, such as for people who also take monoamine oxidase inhibitor drugs.
Interactions and warnings for trazodone
Below, you’ll find information about trazodone’s possible interactions and warnings.
Interactions of trazodone
Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.
Before you take trazodone, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:
- prescription medications
- over-the-counter medications
- vitamins, herbs, or supplements
To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for trazodone” section.
Warnings for trazodone
Some people should not take trazodone and others should take it cautiously.
Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Trazodone has a boxed warning about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
With antidepressants, including trazodone, there’s an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This increased risk affects children and young adults under 25 years. The risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors is highest at the start of treatment and during dosage changes.
Due to this risk, trazodone isn’t approved for use in children. In adults ages 18–24 years, doctors will closely monitor for new or worsening mental health symptoms.
Signs may include:
- changes in the way you think, feel, or behave
- wanting to harm yourself
If you have thoughts about harming yourself or dying, tell your doctor or call 911 or a local emergency number. You can also refer to this article for ways to seek support.
To learn more about this warning, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Other warnings
Trazodone could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether trazodone is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of trazodone you take.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for trazodone, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Trazodone can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to trazodone or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe trazodone. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.
A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
- swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
- swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems
If you have an allergic reaction to trazodone, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Overdose of trazodone
If you take trazodone by mouth, you should not take more trazodone than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you think you’ve taken too much trazodone, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding and trazodone
Information about trazodone and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Trazodone and pregnancy
It’s not known whether trazodone should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Your doctor may suggest enrolling in the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants. This pregnancy registry monitors the outcomes of people who become pregnant while taking antidepressants. You can enroll by calling 844-405-6185 or visiting this website.
Trazodone and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether trazodone should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes trazodone’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about trazodone or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Do any of my other medications interact with trazodone?
- Is there a best time of day to take trazodone?
- How does trazodone compare to other drugs that could treat my condition?
Article resources
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
- Trazodone hydrochloride tablets, for oral use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/0545507a-5c11-4451-872a-d2f7f0aaecd4/spl-doc
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
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