What are the downsides of trazodone? (2024)

What are the downsides of trazodone?

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness, blurred vision, changes in weight, headache, muscle ache/pain, dry mouth, bad taste in the mouth, stuffy nose, constipation, or change in sexual interest/ability may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

What is the dangers of trazodone?

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness, blurred vision, changes in weight, headache, muscle ache/pain, dry mouth, bad taste in the mouth, stuffy nose, constipation, or change in sexual interest/ability may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Why is trazodone not recommended?

Trazodone can also cause heart rhythm disorders. And some evidence suggests that it can cause priapism, or persistent erection, a medical emergency that may require surgery and can lead to impotence if not treated promptly.

Is it bad to take trazodone every night for sleep?

Is it OK to take trazodone every night? For most people, it's OK to take trazodone every night for short-term sleeping issues (typically less than 1 month), but you should only take this medication as prescribed by your doctor. There's limited research on the long-term use of trazodone for sleep.

Is trazodone a high risk medication?

Trazodone has a boxed warning. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. Drugs used to treat depression, including trazodone, may cause an increase in suicidal thoughts or actions.

Is trazodone bad for your brain?

Incidence of dementia among patients taking trazodone was higher than in matched users of other antidepressants (1.8 versus 1.1 per 100 person-years), with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.80 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.56–2.09; p < 0.001).

What is the most common side effect of trazodone?

Common trazodone side effects include drowsiness, dry mouth, and dizziness. More serious side effects include priapism, suicidal thoughts, and serotonin syndrome. Be sure to discuss any side effect concerns you may have with your healthcare provider.

What can I take for sleep instead of trazodone?

Can trazodone be stopped abruptly?

Do not stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely.

Is trazodone bad for your heart?

Trazodone may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can infrequently result in serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away.

Does trazodone make you gain weight?

Trazodone can make you feel more or less hungry than usual, so you may lose or gain weight when you start taking it. If you start to have problems with your weight while taking trazodone, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Is trazodone addictive as a sleep aid?

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.

How many hours does trazodone last for sleep?

For sleep, Trazodone is usually prescribed at a lower dose than when used as an antidepressant. This lower dosage typically results in sedative effects lasting around 6 to 8 hours, making it suitable for promoting a full night's sleep without causing excessive daytime drowsiness.

Does trazodone feel like Xanax?

Xanax is similar to trazodone in that it may cause side effects such as feeling tired and drowsy. When this occurs during the day, it can affect your day-to-day activities. However, unlike trazodone, Xanax and other benzodiazepine drugs can be addictive, even if you've been using them as directed.

Does trazodone cause hair loss?

Hair loss is less common with other mood stabilizers. Tricyclic antidepressants, maprotilene, trazodone, and virtually all the new generation of antidepressants may on rare occasions lead to alopecia.

What mental illness does trazodone treat?

Trazodone is an antidepressant medicine. It's used to treat depression, anxiety, or a combination of depression and anxiety. Trazodone works by increasing your levels of serotonin and noradrenaline so you feel better. It can help if you're having problems like low mood, not sleeping (insomnia) and poor concentration.

Does trazodone have emotional side effects?

Serious side effects from taking Trazodone include suicidal thoughts, worsening symptoms of depression, and decreased immune system efficiency. “There are a couple of side effects of Trazodone that we need to watch.

Can trazodone cause cognitive decline?

Trazodone does not generally cause cognitive impairment or daytime sleepiness. This is unlike many other medicines used for sleep. Trazodone has also been shown to increase deep sleep. Other research shows that worse sleep is associated with brain changes also seen in AD, and with worse cognitive function and dementia.

What organ does trazodone affect?

Rare instances of ALF and death from trazodone have been described. The onset of liver toxicity may occur a few days or months after drug ingestion and even after the drug has been stopped. The pattern of liver injury is usually hepatocellular, but mixed or cholestatic forms have also been described.

Is trazodone a strong sleeping pill?

Because of the chemical composition of trazodone, it has been found to have mild sedating effects, and it is less effective than other antidepressants for the treatment of depression. Therefore, trazodone has found greater utility as a sleep aid than it has as an antidepressant medication.

What is the safest prescription drug for sleep?

Melatonin: Melatonin is considered one of the safest over-the-counter sleep aids, with few side effects. A prescription drug called ramelteon is designed to mimic the effects of melatonin. Like melatonin, it is not considered habit-forming and it does not affect balance.

What is the new sleep medication for 2023?

Daridorexant is FDA approved in doses of 25 mg and 50 mg. In the pivotal trials, doses of 25 mg and 50 mg showed a statistically significant improvement in sleep parameters compared to placebo at both months 1 and 3.

What is the first drug of choice for insomnia?

Among the three nonbenzodiazepine BZRAs and their various formulations, zolpidem (immediate release) is often a good first choice for either sleep-onset or sleep-maintenance complaints.

How long is the washout period for trazodone?

After a single dose in a healthy adult, trazodone will be mostly out of your system in one to three days. For trazodone the half-life is approximately 5 to 13 hours. This means that every 5 to 13 hours, the level in your blood will drop by 50 percent.

Can you skip trazodone doses?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's almost time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Never take 2 doses to make up for a forgotten one.