Trazodone
About
Trazodone belongs to a group of medications called ‘antidepressants’ used to treat all types of depression. It can also be used to treat depression associated with anxiety (a mental disorder characterized by a persistent feeling of worry or fear). Depression is a mood disorder that affects a person's daily life and is described as feelings of sadness, loss, or anger. This condition can also be accompanied by anxiety. Both conditions have similar symptoms and can be treated similarly.
Trazodone contains ‘trazodone’, which belongs to the class of ‘antidepressants’. Trazodone works by increasing serotonin and noradrenaline (chemicals present in the brain) and reducing symptoms of depression. Low levels of serotonin and noradrenaline lead to depression symptoms.
Trazodone is available in the form of tablets. You should take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Trazodone may cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, indigestion, and drowsiness. These side effects usually go away without requiring any treatment. However, if any of these side effects persist or worsen, consult a doctor immediately.
Trazodone is not recommended to take Trazodone if you are allergic to Trazodone or any content of it, recently had a heart attack, are alcoholic, and have been taking sleeping pills. Trazodone should not be used in children and adolescents below 18 years as it may cause suicidal thoughts and worsen depression. Before taking Trazodone, inform your doctor if you have seizures (fits), severe liver, kidney, or heart problems, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), urination problems, glaucoma (an eye disease), schizophrenia or other mental disorders. Also, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Elderly patients may require dose adjustments. Avoid taking alcohol, as it can cause excessive drowsiness. Trazodone may cause drowsiness, so avoid driving or operating heavy machinery if you feel drowsy.
Uses of Trazodone
Medicinal Benefits
Trazodone contains ‘trazodone’, which belongs to the class of ‘antidepressants’. It is an effective and well-tolerated antidepressant. It works by restoring the chemicals serotonin’ and ‘noradrenaline’ in the brain, essential to improve mood and energy levels. It can also reduce anxiety. It causes drowsiness as a side effect. So, it can also induce sleep in patients with depression associated with insomnia (sleeplessness).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Trazodone
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
- Drowsiness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Trazodone may cause suicidal thoughts and worsen depression or anxiety in children and adolescents below 18. Trazodone is also used with caution in young adults who have previously had suicidal thoughts. If you notice thoughts of harming yourself while using this medicine, consult a doctor immediately. Do not stop taking Trazodone even if you feel better without your doctor’s advice. Abrupt stopping this medicine may cause withdrawal symptoms such as sleep problems, irritability, and excessive sweating. The doctor may gradually reduce the dose of this medicine before stopping it to avoid withdrawal reactions.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug interactions: Trazodone may interact with other antidepressant medicines (tranylcypromine, phenelzine, isocarboxazid, amitriptyline, fluoxetine, and hypericum perforatum), medicines used to treat Parkinson’s disease (selegiline and levodopa), muscle relaxants or pain killers, sleeping pills, medicines used to treat fits (carbamazepine and phenytoin), a medicine used to treat high blood pressure (clonidine), a medicine used to treat heart disease (digoxin), antifungal agents (ketoconazole and itraconazole), medicines used to treat HIV (ritonavir and indinavir), an antibiotic (erythromycin), anticoagulant (warfarin), and medicines used to treat psychosis (chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, levomepromazine, and perphenazine).
Drug-Food interactions: Avoid alcohol while using Trazodone as it may increase the risk of side effects.
Drug-Disease interactions: Trazodone should not be patients with heart failure and alcoholic abuse. Trazodone should be used with caution in patients with fits, severe liver, heart, or kidney failure, overactive thyroid, urination problems, glaucoma (an eye condition), and psychosis or other mental disorders.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid consumption of alcohol as it may interact with Trazodone and increase the risk of side effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeTrazodone is a category C medicine as may cause harmful effects on the unborn baby. If you are pregnant, inform your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionTrazodone may pass into the breastmilk and cause unwanted effects in your infant. If you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
cautionTrazodone may cause drowsiness. So, do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel drowsy.
Liver
cautionTrazodone should be used with caution in patients with severe liver diseases. Your doctor may adjust the dose based on your condition.
Kidney
cautionTrazodone should be used with caution in patients with severe kidney diseases. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
unsafeTrazodone is not recommended for children and adolescents below 18 years as it can cause suicidal tendencies.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a healthy diet and exercising regularly helps in improving overall health and boosts self-esteem.
- Regularly attend therapy sessions.
- Perform meditation and yoga. This helps in relieving stress and provides relaxation.
- Follow a regular sleep pattern to improve the amount and quality of sleep you get.
- Include foods rich in omega fatty acids such as fish, nuts, fresh fruits, vegetables, and olive oils.
- Neurotransmitters are made up of amino acids. Amino acid-rich foods such as meat, dairy products, and certain fruits and vegetables help maintain neurotransmitters' proper maintenance.
- Complex carbohydrates help stimulate serotonin (a feel-good neurotransmitter). These include whole grains, legumes, spinach, broccoli, oranges, and pears.
- Exercising helps in the production of the body’s natural antidepressants. It also helps relieve stress, improve mood, boost self-esteem, and provide restful sleep.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Learn about your condition, understand the risk factors, and follow the doctor’s treatment plan.
Special Advise
- Trazodone may affect your blood glucose levels. So, patients with diabetes should monitor blood glucose levels regularly while using this medicine.
- Inform your doctor that you are taking Trazodone if you are undergoing any medical or dental treatment.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Depression: It is a mood disorder characterized by the persistent feeling of sadness, unhappiness, anger, hopelessness, or loss that interferes with a person’s daily activities. Depression can also influence some chronic health conditions and relationships. In this condition, neurotransmitters (chemicals in the brain) such as dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline levels decrease, resulting in symptoms of depression. The exact cause of depression is unknown, but it may be associated with mental problems, trauma, family history, drug use, and medical conditions. Counselling (psychotherapy) and antidepressants can be used to treat depression.
FAQs
Trazodone contains 'trazodone', which is an antidepressant. It works by restoring the levels of serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain. Serotonin and noradrenaline are chemicals in the brain responsible for improving energy, mood, and emotion levels.
Trazodone cause drowsiness and can be used to treat insomnia (problem falling asleep). However, the dose and duration of this medicine required for treating insomnia are given by your doctor.
If the Trazodone is prescribed once daily and you are experiencing drowsiness, it is best to take it in the evening. However, do not change the dose, duration, and when you should take medication without discussing it with your doctor.
Trazodone may cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, indigestion, and drowsiness. These side effects usually go away without requiring any treatment. However, if these side effects persist or worsen, inform a doctor immediately.
Trazodone may affect your blood sugar levels. So, your doctor may advise you to check your blood sugar levels regularly while using this medicine.
