What family of drug is trazodone?

Trazodone is in a class of medications called serotonin modulators. It works by increasing the amount of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance.

Is trazodone a MAOI or SSRI?

Trazodone is chemically unrelated to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) or the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO inhibitors). It is chemically related to nefazodone (Serzone) and shares its actions. The FDA approved trazodone in 1981.

Is trazodone an antidepressant or antipsychotic?

Trazodone is an antidepressant that is FDA-approved for the treatment of depression. It has been used by mental health and primary care providers for the treatment of multiple psychiatric and medical conditions .

Is trazodone considered a benzodiazepine?

Desyrel (trazodone) and Xanax belong to different drug classes. Desyrel (trazodone) is an antidepressant and Xanax is a benzodiazepine.

Is trazodone an opioid or narcotic?

Even though the antidepressant/sleep aid is not classified as a narcotic, it can cause false positives on drug tests. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, "The trazodone metabolite meta-Chlorophenylpiperazine [m-CPP] can cause false-positive urine amphetamine immunoassay results.…

trazodone 50 mg uses dosage and side effects

Why you shouldn't take trazodone?

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 trazodone a strong sleeping pill?

While not recommended the first line of treatment against insomnia, trazodone can be a highly effective sleep aid. If you haven't had much luck with behavioral therapy or other types of medication from Ambien to Valium, you could find some benefit from trying trazodone.

Are trazodone and Xanax similar?

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.

What is the difference between Xanax and trazodone?

Xanax is a prescription drug used to treat symptoms of anxiety and panic disorders, while trazodone is an antidepressant that can also be prescribed for sleep disorders, and it rebalances the presence of certain chemicals in the brain.

What is better than trazodone for sleep?

The study found Ambien to be more effective than trazodone. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine Clinical guidelines recommend the following: Trazodone: “We suggest that clinicians not use trazodone as a treatment for sleep onset or sleep maintenance insomnia (versus no treatment) in adults.”

What drugs should not be taken with trazodone?

Do not use trazodone with buspirone (Buspar®), fentanyl (Abstral®, Duragesic®), lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®), tryptophan, St. John's wort, or some pain or migraine medicines (eg, sumatriptan, tramadol, Frova®, Maxalt®, Relpax®, Zomig®).

Is trazodone for bipolar?

People with bipolar disorder: Trazodone can trigger a manic or hypomanic episode in people with bipolar disorder. Trazodone is not FDA-approved to treat bipolar disorder and should be avoided in this group.

What are the long term side effects of trazodone?

Can trazodone be stopped cold turkey?

Some people may attempt to withdraw from trazodone at home and cold turkey, which could result in more severe withdrawal symptoms. For this reason, the tapering approach is usually the less severe of the detox treatment options, although it's slightly longer-lasting.

Does trazodone have serotonin in it?

Trazodone has a unique chemical structure and is unrelated to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO inhibitors).

Does trazodone make you gain weight?

Official Answer. Trazodone may cause weight gain for some people, but it is not a common side effect of the medication. Weight loss was shown to be slightly more common with trazodone. Research on the drug suggests that the relationship between trazodone and weight change is mixed.

Is trazodone similar to Zoloft?

Zoloft (sertraline) Improves mood and helps you sleep. Oleptro (Trazodone) works well as a sleep aid, but has more side effects when used at higher doses for treating depression.

Is trazodone habit forming?

Doctors do not consider trazodone to be habit forming, meaning a person is not likely to become addicted to it. However, trazodone and other SSRIs may still cause physical dependence when people use them long term. This type of dependence occurs when a person becomes used to the drug being in their system.

Is trazodone considered a barbiturate?

Trazodone is typically prescribed as an antidepressant and Ambien is a non-barbiturate hypnotic. This means that they both work to improve sleep but in different ways.

Can I take melatonin with trazodone for sleep?

Using traZODone together with melatonin may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination.

Is it OK to take 100mg of trazodone for sleep?

When prescribed for sleep, trazodone can be taken as a 50 mg to 100 mg dose at bedtime. If needed, the dose can be increased to up to 200 mg at bedtime to help with sleep. Those with both depression and sleep problems may need a higher dose in some cases — up to 300 mg at bedtime.

What are the withdrawal symptoms of trazodone?

What is the safest sleeping pill for the elderly?

In the elderly, nonbenzodiazepines such as zolpidem, eszopiclone, zaleplon, and ramelteon are safer and better tolerated than tricyclic antidepressants, antihistamines, and benzodiazepines. Pharmacotherapy should be recommended only after sleep hygiene is addressed, however.

Is trazodone like Benadryl?

Trazadone works to promote sleep in a few different ways. It is an antidepressant that makes people tired. It increases serotonin levels to improve your mood and acts as an antihistamine similar to Benadryl, making you drowsy.

How long does it take for 50mg of trazodone to kick in for sleep?

Trazodone works quickly as a sleep aid, often taking only 30 minutes to feel the effects.