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What is Trazodone ?

Trazodone is an oral antidepressant medicine that affects the brain's chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) that nerves use to interact with each other (stimulate). Acetylcholine, norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin are the main neurotransmitters. For the treatment of the major depressive disorder, trazodone is used. It can help increase your mood, appetite, and level of energy, as well as decrease depression-related anxiety and insomnia. By helping to restore the balance of a certain natural chemical (serotonin) in the brain, Trazodone works.

Trazodone Uses:

Trazodone is used for the treatment of depression. Trazodone belongs to the medication called modulators of serotonin. It functions by increasing the amount of serotonin that helps preserve mental equilibrium, a natural product in the brain. It can help increase the mood, appetite, and level of energy, as well as decrease depression-related anxiety and insomnia. By helping to restore the balance of a certain natural chemical (serotonin) in the brain, Trazodone works.

Trazodone Side Effects:

Some of the common side effects of Trazodone are:

Some of the serious side effects of Trazodone are:

  • Chest pain
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Fainting
  • Seizures
  • Shortness of breath

If you have any of these serious symptoms immediately contact your doctor for further assistance. In any case, due to Trazodone if you get any kind of reactions in your body try avoiding it.
A doctor advised you to take the medicines by seeing your problems and the benefits of this medicine are greater than the side effects. Majority of the people who use this medicine don’t show any side effects. Get medical help immediately if you get any serious Trazodone side effects.

Precautions

Before taking Trazodone talk with your doctor if you are allergic to it or any other medications. The product may contain some inactive ingredients which can cause some serious problems. Before using Trazodone talk with your doctor if you are having any medical history:

  • Bipolar disorders
  • Suicide attempts
  • Heart disease
  • Liver disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Blood pressure
  • Glaucoma

How to take Trazodone?

Trazodone comes as a tablet that can be taken by mouth and as an extended-release (long-lasting) tablet. Two or three times a day, the tablet is normally taken with a meal or light snack. Usually, the extended-release tablet is taken on an empty stomach once a day at bedtime, either one hour before or two hours after a meal. Take exactly as instructed, trazodone. Do not take more or less of this medication, take it more often, or take it longer than recommended by your doctor. Swallow the extended-release tablets on the score mark, whole or split in half; do not chew or crush them.

The doctor may start you on a low dose of trazodone and raise your dose gradually, not more often than once every three to four days. Once your condition is regulated, your doctor can decrease your dosage. Trazodone controls but does not heal, depression. Before you experience the full benefit of trazodone, it can take 2 weeks or longer. And if you are doing well, continue taking trazodone.

Dosages Forms and Strengths

Generic: Imipramine

  • Form: oral tablet
  • Strengths: 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 300 mg

Dosage for major depressive disorder

Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

Typical starting dosage: 150 mg per day in divided doses.

Missed Dose

Missing one or two-dose of Trazodone won’t show any effect on your body. The skipped dose causes no problem. But with some medication, it won’t work if you don’t take the dosage on time. If you miss a dose some sudden chemical change may affect your body. In some cases, your doctor would advise you to take the prescribed medicine as soon as possible if you have missed the dose.

Overdose

Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed Trazodone tablets there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body’s functions. Overdose of a medicine can lead to some medical emergency.

Warnings for some serious health conditions

For people with Heart Disease

Ask your doctor if it's a good medication for you. Irregular heartbeat and prolonged QT interval can be caused by taking trazodone (a heart rhythm issue that may cause chaotic or abnormal heartbeats). If you take this drug, your doctor may be watching you closely.

For people with Angle-closure Glaucoma

The drug can make the pupils bigger and can cause the angle-closure attack.

For people with the history of mania or bipolar disorder

You may have a higher chance for psychotic episodes. If you have a history of mania or bipolar disorder, your doctor will need to recommend a different drug.

Pregnant Women

There haven't been enough research performed on humans to be certain how this drug could affect a pregnancy. Animal research has demonstrated detrimental effects on the fetus when this medication is taken by the mother. However, animal studies don't always predict the way humans will react.

Breastfeeding

In a child who is breastfed, trazodone can transfer into breast milk and may cause side effects. If you're breastfeeding your kid, speak to your doctor. If you want to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this drug, you will need to decide.

Storage

Direct contact with heat, air and light may damage your medicines. The exposure of medicine may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach.
Mainly the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF (20ºC and 25ºC).
Before taking trazodone consult your Doctor. In case if you face any problems or get any side effects after taking trazodone rush immediately to your nearby hospital or consult your doctor for better treatment. Carry your medications always in your bag while travelling to avoid any immediate emergencies. Follow your prescription and follow your Doctor advice whenever you take trazodone.

Trazodone vs Amitriptyline

Trazodone

Amitriptyline
Trazodone is an oral antidepressant medicine that affects the brain's chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) that nerves use to interact with each other (stimulate). Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant with sedative effects. The medication affects a certain chemical messenger which communicates between brain cells and helps in regulating mood.
Trazodone is used for the treatment of depression. Trazodone belongs to the medication called modulators of serotonin. It functions by increasing the amount of serotonin that helps preserve mental equilibrium, a natural product in the brain. Amitriptyline is used for the treatment of depressions. This belongs to the class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. The medication can also help in improving mood and feelings of well- being.
Some of the common side effects of Trazodone are:
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Weakness
 Most common side effects of Amitriptyline are:
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Drowsiness
  • Headaches
  • Dry mouth

Citations

Behavioral effects of trazodone in Alzheimer's disease., ID:10.1016/j.sleep.2003.06.006
The effects of trazodone on sleep in patients treated with stimulant antidepressants

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is trazodone addictive for sleep?

Trazodone is not addictive, with dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, and lightheadedness being common side effects. In some conditions, such as sleep apnea, Trazodone can give advantages over other sleep aids.

Are trazodone and Xanax the same thing?

Xanax is equivalent to trazodone it can induce side effects such as feeling exhausted and drowsy. It can influence day-to-day tasks when this happens during the day. Xanax and other benzodiazepine medications, however, can be addictive, unlike trazodone, even though you've been taking them as instructed.

What are the side effects of trazodone?

Some of the common side effects of Trazodone are:

  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Weakness

How quickly does trazodone work for sleep?

Depending on the form used, patients who take the medication for a sleep disorder will feel the sedative effects within 30 minutes. Patients who take the medication as an antidepressant for one or two weeks will not notice symptom improvement and can take up to four weeks for the maximum effects to occur.

How many hours does trazodone last?

The half-life of Trazodone ranges from five to 9 hours. This means it will take about seven hours (on average) for the body to remove half of the medication. A single dose of Trazodone will stay in the body for one to three days in a healthy adult.

Does Trazodone calm you down?

Trazodone is an antidepressant medication which works in the brain to balance chemicals. It's used to combat anxiety, depression, or a mixture of anxiety and depression. If you have issues such as low mood, poor sleep and poor focus, it will help.

Can trazodone worsen anxiety?

The depression will not get better if you suddenly quit taking this medication or do not take it. You may have signs of withdrawal as well. These include depression, restlessness, and difficulty sleeping. Your doctor will steadily lower your dosage over time if you need to avoid taking this medicine.

Can trazodone help with panic attacks?

As a prescription drug used for the medical treatment of depression, Trazodone is approved by the FDA. In addition to depression, this medication can also be used as a treatment for insomnia by a doctor or mental health professional and may also be used to relieve anxiety and panic attacks.

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.

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