Last Updated on August 8, 2021

General Use of Trazodone

Follow your physician’s prescription requirements when taking Trazodone. Sleep aids such as this frequently must be taken in a routine schedule to insure they are planning to work. Doctors frequently prescribe this drug to be taken up to three times a day for patients being treated for depression.

Those using Trazodone as a sleep aid will more than likely take just one time every day, right at bedtime to the medicine. Frequently, doctors prescribe a low dose of the medicine for sleep aid use.

“The ideal use of Trazodone is for the treatment of depression among individuals with comorbid insomnia”

User Reviews for Trazodone (http://www.drugs.com/comments/Trazodone/)

Condition	Reviews	Avg. Ratings
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (off label)	5 reviews	9.3
Depression	59 reviews	8.0
Sedation	55 reviews	7.9
Anxiety (off label)	42 reviews	7.7
Insomnia (off label)*	308 reviews	7.5
Fibromyalgia (off label)	23 reviews	7.3
Major Depressive Disorder	11 reviews	6.7
Headache (off label)	2 reviews	5.5
Summary of Trazodone reviews	505 reviews	7.5

*Note: Trazodone may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of Insomnia.

Drawbacks of Using Trazodone for Sleeplessness

Despite numerous anecdotal claims of Trazodone operating well for sleeplessness, it is necessary to consider the fact this really is an “off-label” option, meaning it was never approved by the FDA particularly for sleeplessness. Put simply, it was never discovered to be effective in clinical trials to improve skill to sleep.

Dearth of scientific evidence: Some studies imply that there remains insufficient scientific evidence to support use of Trazodone for insomnia. Critics assert that since it was never approved particularly for insomnia, that other sleep-inducing agents (i.e. Z-drugs) should be used as a first-line treatment. A 2005 review of signs of Trazodone for sleeplessness suggested that there clearly was an “lack of efficacy” to support this use.

Memory damage: The truth that Trazodone affects histamine as an antagonist means that it’s potential to cause memory impairment when taken over the long-term. Antihistamines may carry risks that are similar, though the risk of memory damage is probably considerably below that connected with benzodiazepines and sleeping pills. It’s an option to think about, despite no scientific publications indicating recollection difficulties from Trazodone.

Side effects: All drugs that affect a person’s neurochemistry will carry side effects. Some people will not experience any significant issues while others may feel overwhelmingly drowsy, encounter muscle aches, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting, taking low doses of Trazodone. It is essential for those taking Trazodone to weigh unwanted side effects together with the effectiveness of the drug.

Weight gain: There’s some evidence that Trazodone causes weight gain. Due to the sedating nature of the drug together with action on serotonergic receptors, it may lead to a decreased metabolism, laziness, and increased cravings for carbohydrates. Those that took a low dose of the drug for 6 weeks have a tendency to increase an average of 1.2 lbs. This little amount might not appear like much weight, but as and/or dosing increases a man keeps utilizing the drug,

Drowsiness: This same drowsiness may not be absent upon waking, while drowsiness may be perfect for causing a transition to sleepiness. Throughout whole day, afternoon, or the following morning, the drowsiness may persist regardless of the short half life of Trazodone after taking it the previous night. This drowsiness may make it dangerous to use heavy machinery (e.g. drive a vehicle) and may impair cognitive function for work-related endeavors.

Withdrawal: It’s famous that there are an array of unpleasant effects related to discontinuation of the drug. A lot of people have reported significant Trazodone withdrawal symptoms, including a worsening of insomnia than they’ve ever experienced prior to taking the drug. This implies that during the withdrawal period, the symptoms that were being treated by the drug become even more debilitating than they were prior to initial administration.

Is it true that the research warrant using Trazodone for sleeplessness?

The scientific evidence is comparatively combined regarding the use of Trazodone as a sleep aid. Early research from the late 1990s suggests that Trazodone is just slightly better than Fluoxetine (Prozac) for alleviating insomnia among depressed individuals. A publication in 2004 suggested that Trazodone had increased significantly as a hypnotic in popularity.

This publication suggested that there was minimal data to support use of Trazodone in non-depressed patients afflicted by sleeplessness, particularly as a hypnotic agent. A study published a year later in 2005 stated that there were few studies analyzing the effect of Trazodone for treating insomnia. Were generally only conducted among those suffering from major depression and not large.

Sleep and Depression

On the flip side, those who are suffering from both sleep difficulties and depression seem to profit very well from taking Trazodone slumber treatments. Patients taking other antidepressants for depressive illnesses frequently face insomnia generally as sleeplessness is caused by most antidepressant drugs. With Trazodone, physicians may couple other antidepressant use in these patients.

Trazodone (Desyrel) is classified as an atypical antidepressant, working specifically as a SARI (serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor). It is considered a second generation antidepressant, and is still utilized mainly for the treatment of depression in patients that do not respond well to newer drugs (e.g. SSRIs). The drug also can be used for treating numerous conditions on an off-label basis including: OCD, fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy, and alcohol withdrawal.

Of all the off-label uses, potentially the most common is using Trazodone for to help individuals facing an inability to fall asleep or sleeplessness. Newer anecdotal evidence has even implied that Trazodone’s off-label usage as a sleeping pill has surpassed its usage as an antidepressant. It is considered not significantly more expensive than most sleeping pills it may not be slightly more dangerous than other traditional tranquilizing agents like benzodiazepines which are linked to dementia.

The precise mechanism of activity for Trazodone has not been verified, but it is considered to impact a variety of receptor sites including: 5-HT1D, 5-HT1A, Alpha 1A, Alpha2C, and H1. This implies that it primarily is considered to affect serotonin, with secondary effects on histamine and norepinephrine. It is also believed that there’s a relationship between the dose as well as the effect of the drug.

Trazodone For Sleeplessness: A Favorite Off-Label Choice

Trazodone is recognized as a successful treatment for insomnia when administered at low doses. A reduced dose includes an alternate mechanism of action when compared to a higher one. Specifically lower dosages of Trazodone tend to arouse effects of 5-HT2A antagonism, H1 receptor antagonism, and Alpha 1 adrenergic antagonism. At higher doses, Trazodone also would appreciably inhibit serotonin by targeting both 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C (serotonin receptors) and may not be as successful.

Potential Advantages of Trazodone for Sleeplessness

There are several advantages connected with using Trazodone for treating insomnia, despite the fact that it stays “off-label.” These advantages include things like: cost, efficacy, long term effects, weight neutrality, as well as the fact that it can target multiple psychiatric illnesses simultaneously.

Price: The fact that this drug is generic means that its entire price is likely to be comparatively low by comparison to name-brand sleeping pills (Z-drugs) like Lunesta, Rozerem, and Ambien. The full week supply of Trazodone should only cost a couple of dollars, compared to between $30 and $50 for other name brand sleeping agents.

Drug withdrawal: Many individuals have utilized Trazodone to help cope with agitation and insomnia related to opiate withdrawal, antidepressant withdrawal, and even withdrawal from alcohol. Trazodone helps take the edge off of some severe withdrawal symptoms which are frequently reported like inability to fall asleep, or broken sleep throughout the night.

Effective: It is no secret that Trazodone is not ineffective for treating insomnia, which explains why it’s gained popularity as a slumber-inducing agent. Though the efficacy of this drug is subject to significant individual variation, the majority of people find that one low dose knocks them out or before bedtime either helps them transition from wakefulness to sleep. Some would claim that this drug is equally as effective (or in certain cases more powerful) than conventional sleeping pills.

Long term effects: While the long term effects associated with using Trazodone for insomnia are not well documented, it is thought to be comparatively safe. Meaning, there probably aren’t any long-term nerve effects such as brain damage from persistent long term administration. The fact that the drug acts on histamine could be a cause for concern, but the low dose may be preferred over an agent just like a sleeping pill or benzodiazepine.

Low dose: Some have noted that there’s a relationship involving the dosage of Trazodone together with its mechanism of activity. When administered in a low (or lower) dose, it has a tendency to work unusually well for eradicating sleeplessness. Some theorize that this is due to its capability to target the H1 histaminergic receptor as an antagonist, reducing the effects of histamine, which leads to drowsiness.

Non-controlled substance: Because of the fact that most sleeping pills along with other sleep-inducers are considered “controlled substances” is a cause for worry. What this means is they have the capacity for misuse, dependence, tolerance, and addiction. Trazodone is primarily an antidepressant and an entirely different mechanism of action, making it simpler to obtain and minimizing its prospect of addiction.

Sleep improvement: There are a huge quantity of anecdotal claims suggesting that when taking Trazodone, a man’s quality of sleep improves. Even a few of the most hardcore insomniacs have found that their sleeplessness is fully eliminated by using Trazodone and enables them to sleep without waking through the night. They may awaken feeling rested, which then has a carryover on cognitive function and their mood.

Treat multiple illnesses: The ideal use of Trazodone is for the treatment of depression among individuals with comorbid insomnia. Because the drug has a short half life, it’s typically administered in 3 different doses each day. It is clinically effective as an antidepressant, and typically functions well for sleeplessness. Those that whine of both depression and insomnia may gain significantly from this drug.

This research concluded that there is limited evidence to support utilizing Trazodone for insomnia. Furthermore, it can lead to discontinuation and proposed that side effects like dizziness, sedation, and psychomotor impairment could be a reason for concern. A newer Polish publication from 2010 suggests that Trazodone is not ineffective for the treatment of insomnia.

By saying that Trazodone acts immediately, economically, and safely with hardly any adverse side effects, the authors elaborated. They regarded it a “proven” alternative for those suffering from insomnia. It appears as though the evidence remains a mixed bag in terms of treating Trazodone for sleeplessness; some researchers think it’s powerful, while others imply that it isn’t or lacks medical signs to support this use.

Physicians seem to think it’s certainly has helped many people, and an excellent medicine for sleeplessness. Many anecdotal reports suggest the drug is effective for reducing nightmares improving sleep quality, and enhancing skill to fall asleep. Due to ability to target melancholy and a favorable side effect profile, it might be a preferred drug for insomnia in certain cases over conventional Z-medicines.

Risk-Benefit Ratio of Trazodone for Sleeplessness

If you’re using Trazodone for the treatment of sleeplessness, it’s important to analyze the risk-benefit ratio. Those that have now been taking the drug for awhile, but nonetheless aren’t unable to drift off may possibly need to attempt a more conventional hypnotic. People that find Trazodone effective for the therapy of insomnia will wish to ascertain if the drug is causing side effects that are unwanted.

Some people whine of weight-gain, improved drowsiness, and psychomotor impairment. These side effects may impact a person’s function efficiency, endanger their security while using heavy machinery, and might impact their self esteem (whenever they they gain pounds). With any pharmaceutical drug, it is crucial that you reflect upon if the unwanted effects are not intolerable, and whether it’s treating the condition for which it was prescribed.

You ought to also think about the fact you may find yourself dealing with discontinuation symptoms in the event you ever quit taking the drug. These signs may be hard and pretty acute to deal with. Many people report getting through them in weeks, but the others report withdrawals crossing months.

Note: Over which you took the drug, severity is generally affected by dose in addition to time span; longer spans coupled with high dosages may lead to more intense withdrawals.
Trazodone as a hypnotic: Short-term vs. Long-Term

It is important to take into account the period over which you anticipate using it, if you’re using Trazodone to treat sleeplessness. To put it differently, you should consider your potential “endgame” scheme with this drug. Do you want to be for the rest of your lifetime or can you intend on taking it just to get you through several tough weeks of withdrawal from a drugs that is different?

The ones that are taking Trazodone for a long-term are more inclined to end up with unwanted results that make it even more challenging to operate with no drug. The sleeplessness would be treated with natural interventions that activate the parasympathetic nervous-system unless one has a kind of sleeplessness that’s idiopathic and decrease activation. Examples of varied natural treatments include: physical workout early in the day, meditation, brainwave entrainment (to decrease beta waves and increase alpha waves), melatonin supplementation, etc.

Using Trazodone on the short term could be highly successful for sleeplessness, and minimize danger of long-term effects and tolerance. Short term therapy is generally administered with low doses (or the minimum efficient dose), because of the very fact that lower doses might work even better than higher ones for insomnia.

Trazodone vs. Other Sleeping Pills

It is vital to think about the truth that conventional hypnotics are FDA approved specifically for treating insomnia, and thus are believed to be more effective than Trazodone. Yet, among insomnia sufferers which have had the experience of dabbling with both Z-medicines (nonbenzodiazepines) and Trazodone, some of these might prefer Trazodone over the Z-drugs or discover them to be of equivalent efficacy. The side effects which you experience with either drug might be area significantly to personal variation.

Additionally even ZED-drugs are believed to have discontinuation effects. (Read: Ambien withdrawal symptoms). Both Z and Trazodone -medications possess the potential outcome in forbearance, and to increase somnolence. However, Z-drugs are believed to have better habit forming potential, therefore being considered “controlled substances” – meaning it is tougher to get a prescription.

Make sure to talk to your doctor in the event you have private issues regarding alternative sleeping pills or Trazodone. Medical practitioners must have the ability to thoroughly clarify the subtle distinctions between Trazodone and conventional hypnotics. If you do not react well to hypnotics, you may react well to Trazodone; vice versa also implements.

If you take Trazodone for insomnia?

It might be the time to think about a pharmaceutical agent like Trazodone, if your sleeplessness is unbearably poor to the point that it is impacting your performance. It is necessary to understand that Trazodone was never formally approved for sleeplessness by the Food and Drug Administration – its principal use is an antidepressant. That said, it could be a highly effective option when employed strategically over a short-term.

You must always be certain interventions that are natural attempted before resorting to pharmaceuticals to treat your sleeplessness. Natural methods include: daily workout (in the morning), avoiding caffeine after 10 AM, reducing glowing light in the evening, melatonin supplementation, and even relaxation methods like meditation or the emWave2. Various other nutritional supplements like L-Tryptophan or valerian root can also be valuable.

If these strategies are all ineffective and you have provided them a reasonable opportunity, short term therapy with hypnotic or Trazodone might be prescribed by means of a doctor. Request your doctor concerning the benefits and drawbacks related to each remedy to get a much better comprehension of which treatment seems ideal for your own individual situation.
Perfect scenario: Trazodone for depression with co-morbid insomnia…

A great scenario for use of Trazodone to treat insomnia is among those who’ve been diagnosed with depression. Trazodone is primarily utilized as an antidepressant, meaning it should reduce depressive symptoms. The Food and Drug Administration has accepted it to deal with depression and has substantial evidence demonstrating its efficacy; this is a use that was acceptable.

Where to buy? It is advisable to have a valid prescription for Trazodone. A doctor’s consultation is required. Here you can buy Trazodone over the counter from UK without risk. Read the instructions inside the package carefully.

For those who have sleeplessness without depression, there is insubstantial evidence to assistance utilizing Trazodone. Sleep specialists are more prone to recommend a traditional hypnotic such as Ambien or Lunesta. You may want to talk about Trazodone as a possibility and find out how the professionals respond if you discover these medications to be overly expensive. It really is a treatment modality that could be considered, should they consider Trazodone is a viable option and will save money.

Those that are currently using an anti-depressant medication may want to inquire about possibly adding Trazodone as an augmentation method. In some cases it cannot be added due to the possibility of serotonin syndrome, but in other cases it could be an okay adjunct. In other scenarios, patient or a physician may even propose transitioning from their present drug to Trazodone.

When taken specifically for melancholy, Trazodone is taken up to 3 times daily at varying doses. When taken for sleeplessness, it’s generally just taken at a low-dose before bed time. A health care provider may need to work out some kinks with all the dosing to find out how well the drug is employed by insomnia and depression. It will be considered that Trazodone may just effectively treat one illness (depression) and show ineffective for the other (sleeplessness).

Have you used Trazodone for sleeplessness?

Feel liberated to discuss how nicely it worked in the comments section below, in case you have personal experience taking Trazodone for insomnia. To help others get a much better idea of your circumstance, such as whether you’re using high-dose, or a low, average discuss your dosage. Additionally you may want to include how Trazodone compares to other sleep aids you have attempted before, while taking it, whether you’ve experienced any negative effects effects, and just how much time you have been getting it.