Uses
What is trazodone used for?
Trazodone is used to treat depression.
Trazodone may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does trazodone work (mechanism of action)?
Trazodone is an antidepressant that belongs to a group of medicines called serotonin modulators. It works by increasing the amount of serotonin, a natural chemical in the brain.
How is trazodone supplied (dosage forms)?
Trazodone is available in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.
- 50 mg tablets
- 100 mg tablets
- 150 mg tablets
- 300 mg tablets
How should I store trazodone?
Trazodone should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place, in a tightly closed container. Protect from light.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of trazodone?
The most common side effects of trazodone are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Swelling
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness or tiredness
- Diarrhea
- Stuffy nose
- Weight loss
There may be other side effects of trazodone that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of trazodone?
While less common, the most serious side effects of trazodone are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Trazodone may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using trazodone and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Suicidal Thoughts or Actions. Trazodone or other antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in a small number of children, teenagers, or young adults in the first few months of taking the medicine or when the dose is changed. Depression or other serious mental health conditions are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts or actions. If you or your child is about to harm themselves, call 911 or call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.
- New or increased thoughts of suicide or death
- Suicide attempt
- New or increased feelings of anxiety, depression, or other unusual changes in your mood or behavior
Serotonin Syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is when there is too much of a substance called serotonin in your body. Trazodone can cause serotonin syndrome when it is taken alone or with other medicines that affect serotonin. This condition can be life-threatening. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of serotonin syndrome.
- Sweating, fever, or flushing
- Confusion
- Feeling agitated or restless
- Seeing or hearing unusual things
- Dizziness
- Fast or racing heartbeat
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Muscle twitching, stiffness, or tremor
- Seizures
Heart Rhythm Changes. Trazodone may cause a rare, dangerous heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation and torsade de pointes. Some people have a higher risk of this, including people who are older, have other people in their family who have had these conditions, have low potassium or magnesium levels, or who take some medicines for other heart rhythm problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you faint or have changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast or skipping heartbeat.
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.
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting upon standing
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Feeling weak
Abnormal Bleeding. People taking trazodone or other antidepressants may have an increased risk of bleeding or bruising. You may be at higher risk if you are also taking aspirin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), like ibuprofen or naproxen, or a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), apixaban (Eliquis), or rivaroxaban (Xarelto). Tell your healthcare provider if you notice any changes in how easily you bruise or bleed.
Painful, Prolonged Erection (Priapism). Trazodone may cause an unwanted erection that is persistent, painful, and that may occur without sexual arousal. 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.
- Erection lasting for more than 4 hours
- Erection that is unrelated to sexual stimulation
- Painful or tender penis
Extremely Elevated Mood (Mania). People with bipolar disorder have severe high and low moods. The first symptom of bipolar disorder may be depression. People with bipolar disorder who take an antidepressant, such as trazodone, may have a higher risk of having mania or a manic episode. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a manic episode.
- Dramatic increase in energy
- Significant trouble sleeping
- Your thoughts are racing and fast-paced
- Engaging in reckless behavior
- Having unusually grand ideas
- Feeling excessively happy or irritable
- Talking more or faster than usual
Glaucoma. Trazodone may increase pressure inside the eye and cause or worsen narrow-angle glaucoma, which can lead to blindness. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of glaucoma.
- Loss of vision
- Eye pain, swelling, or redness
- Changes in vision
Decreased Alertness or Coordination. Trazodone can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how trazodone affects you.
Low Sodium Level (Hyponatremia). Trazodone may cause low sodium levels. Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of a low sodium level.
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Muscle weakness or cramps
- Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
- Tiredness or sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Weight gain
- Restlessness or irritability
- Change in your mental condition such as hallucinations, confusion, decreased awareness, or alertness
- Seizures
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use trazodone?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use trazodone.
- Trazodone
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific trazodone products they stock.
Drug Interactions. Trazodone should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking trazodone, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
What should I know about trazodone before using it?
Do not take trazodone unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share trazodone with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep trazodone out of the reach of children.
Take trazodone shortly after a meal or light snack.
Do not crush or chew trazodone. If needed, trazodone may be broken in half along the score line.
Trazodone can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how trazodone affects you. Tell your healthcare provider if you feel sleepy or tired after taking trazodone. Your healthcare provider may change your dose of trazodone or tell you to take trazodone at a different time of the day.
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.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using trazodone?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if trazodone is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- Heart conditions, including a family history of QT prolongation (a rare dangerous heart rhythm problem)
- History of heart attack
- Bipolar disorder or mania
- Liver or kidney problems
- Glaucoma
- Bleeding problems
- Low sodium levels
- Peyronie’s disease
- Sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, leukemia, or other serious medical conditions
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how trazodone could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take trazodone while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
Breastfeeding. Trazodone may pass into your breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take trazodone while breastfeeding.
Interactions
Does trazodone interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between trazodone and foods or drinks.
Do not drink alcohol while taking trazodone. The risk of dizziness or sleepiness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking trazodone.
Does trazodone interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using trazodone.
- A monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past 2 weeks, which is a medicine usually used for depression or Parkinson’s disease
- A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which are medicines commonly used for anxiety or depression
- A tricyclic antidepressant, such as amitriptyline or nortriptyline, even if it is not used for depression
- An antipsychotic, which is a medicine for certain mental health conditions
- A type of medicine called a triptan, such as sumatriptan (Imitrex and others), eletriptan (Relpax), and others, which are used to treat migraine headaches
- Lithium, which is a medicine for certain mental health conditions
- Buspirone (Buspar), which is a medicine for anxiety
- Opioid pain medicines, including tramadol or fentanyl
- A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and others, which are contained in many prescription and OTC products for pain, swelling, and fever
- A medicine that affects bleeding, such as aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), rivaroxaban, dabigatran, or clopidogrel
- Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others), which is a medicine to control seizures
- Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
- A barbiturate, such as phenobarbital, butalbital, or primidone which is a medicine that may be used to treat insomnia, migraines, or seizures
- Medicines that can cause QT prolongation, which is a dangerous heart rhythm problem, including amiodarone or sotalol
- A medicine for high blood pressure, such as lisinopril or losartan
- A diuretic, also called a water pill, which is a medicine used to reduce edema (fluid retention) and blood pressure
- St. John’s Wort or tryptophan
Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of trazodone. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much trazodone?
If you or someone else has used too much trazodone, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of trazodone?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Are you currently using Trazodone?
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