Trazodone's Effect On Sleep: How Long To Wait?

Trazodone is an antidepressant medication that can also be used to treat sleep disorders such as insomnia. While it is not a sleep medicine, it has sedative or hypnotic effects, making people who take it feel drowsy. When taken 30 minutes before bedtime, a low dose of trazodone (between 25 mg and 100 mg) may be effective in promoting better sleep. However, the benefits of taking trazodone for insomnia are not well-established, and it is not officially approved for this purpose. The timeframe within which trazodone starts to work depends on the condition it is being used to treat. For insomnia, it can start to work within 30 minutes to 2 hours of taking the prescribed dose. For depression, trazodone typically begins working within a week, while for anxiety, it can take multiple weeks.

Trazodone's effects on sleep

Trazodone is a prescription drug used to treat depression and anxiety. It is also often prescribed off-label to treat sleep disorders such as insomnia. Trazodone is a fast-acting, short-lasting antidepressant with a relatively low risk of addiction compared to other sedatives. It is not a sleep medicine, but it has sedative or hypnotic effects, meaning it causes drowsiness. For this reason, it is often used to treat insomnia or acute insomnia. Insomnia is a long-term or chronic sleep disorder, occurring at least three nights a week and lasting three months or more. Acute insomnia is short-term and may last for days or weeks.

When used for sleep, trazodone is typically given at low doses, between 25 and 100 milligrams, to reduce the risk of drug tolerance and daytime sleepiness. For some people, even lower doses may be effective and cause fewer side effects. Trazodone acts on neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers in the brain. It allows serotonin, a specific neurotransmitter, to build up in the spaces between nerve cells, thus improving mood and sleep quality. Trazodone also acts on histamines, another neurotransmitter that helps keep you alert and awake. By blocking these histamines, trazodone can make you sleepy.

As a sleep aid, trazodone typically takes about 30 minutes to two hours to make you drowsy. People who take trazodone for sleep often report that it helps them fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. However, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine does not recommend the use of trazodone to treat insomnia, suggesting that the potential risks and harms outweigh the benefits. Research suggests that trazodone only reduces the time it takes to fall asleep by about 10 minutes and reduces the amount of time spent awake at night by only eight minutes on average.

Trazodone is generally safe for adults to take for short-term sleep issues, but there is limited research on its long-term use for sleep. It is not recommended for children, teens, older adults, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Trazodone may also not be suitable for people with heart disease, psychiatric illnesses, or a history of liver or kidney problems.

The timeframe within which trazodone starts to work depends on the condition being treated. For depression and anxiety, it may take a few weeks to feel the full effects, while for insomnia, it can start to work within 30 minutes to two hours of taking the prescribed dose. It is important to note that trazodone may not work immediately for everyone, and it can take up to four to six weeks to experience the full impact.

How long does it take to work?

Trazodone is an antidepressant medication that can also be used to treat sleep disorders such as insomnia. It is not a sleep medicine, but it has sedative or hypnotic effects, making people drowsy. It is often prescribed off-label to treat insomnia or acute insomnia.

The timeframe within which trazodone starts to work depends on the condition it is being used to treat. For depression, it typically begins working within a week, with some people reporting significant improvement in as little as one week. However, it may take a few weeks to feel the full effects of the medication, with some people needing up to 4-6 weeks before they notice a significant improvement in their symptoms.

For insomnia, trazodone can start to work much faster, usually taking effect within 30 minutes to 2 hours of taking the prescribed dose. It is recommended to take trazodone 30 minutes before bedtime. However, it is important to note that the American Academy of Sleep Medicine does not recommend the use of trazodone to treat insomnia due to the potential risks and harms outweighing the benefits.

Several factors can influence how long trazodone takes to work, including dosage, individual chemistry, and whether any other medications are being taken concurrently. Additionally, certain drugs and substances can affect how quickly trazodone works, including alcohol and grapefruit.

Side effects

Trazodone is an antidepressant medication that is often prescribed off-label to treat sleep-related issues, like insomnia. It is considered safe for short-term insomnia symptoms, but there is limited data on its long-term use. It is not recommended for children, and may not be suitable for older adults or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Trazodone has a range of side effects, some of which are mild and others that are more serious. The most common side effects include:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Skin reactions, such as a rash
• Difficulties with walking or coordination
• Constipation or diarrhoea
• Weight and appetite changes

More serious side effects include:

• Suicidal thoughts and behaviours, particularly in young adults
• Priapism (a painful erection lasting more than four hours)
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Extrapyramidal symptoms (movement and coordination problems)
• Tardive dyskinesia (uncontrollable facial movements)
• Hypomania or mania
• Worsening psychosis
• Neutropenia (low white blood cell count)
• Hepatitis (liver inflammation)
• Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH, a condition where the body retains too much water)
• Orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure when standing)

Safety and addiction

Trazodone is a prescription medication used to treat major depressive disorder and, in certain cases, insomnia. It is considered safe and effective when taken as directed and can help those with major depressive disorder, insomnia, or other sleep disorders. It is also sometimes prescribed to individuals in recovery from addiction who have difficulties sleeping.

Safety

Trazodone is generally considered safe when taken as directed by a medical professional. However, it may not be safe for some people to use, especially those who:

• Are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
• Have recently had a heart attack or have heart, kidney, or liver problems.
• Have epilepsy or are undergoing electroconvulsive treatment.
• Have porphyria or phaeochromocytoma.
• Are under 18 or elderly.

Trazodone also has the potential to interact with other drugs, so it is important that a healthcare provider carefully reviews medications before starting trazodone.

Addiction

While trazodone is considered relatively low risk for addiction compared to other sedatives, it can still be misused and addiction or dependency may occur. When trazodone is misused, dependency and addiction can occur, and withdrawal symptoms are common when users attempt to stop. Recreational use of trazodone is on the rise, as users seek its calming effects, often taking it with other substances like alcohol, ecstasy, or meth to enhance its effects. This puts users at a high risk of overdose and other harmful side effects.

Signs of trazodone addiction include:

• Neglecting personal or professional responsibilities because of trazodone use.
• Visiting multiple doctors to obtain trazodone prescriptions.
• Obtaining trazodone illegally, even when it is no longer needed.
• Faking symptoms to obtain trazodone.
• Buying or stealing trazodone from friends or family members.
• Needing to increase the dosage of trazodone to feel the same effects.
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using trazodone.

Withdrawal symptoms from trazodone can be uncomfortable and may last anywhere from one to two weeks up to several months. These symptoms can include dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, and feeling hungover.

Who should not take trazodone

Trazodone is a prescription drug used to treat depression and anxiety. It is also sometimes prescribed off-label to treat sleep disorders such as insomnia. While trazodone can be effective in treating insomnia, there are certain instances where it may not be suitable for use.

Firstly, trazodone should not be used by those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is also not recommended for those recovering from a heart attack. Trazodone may also be inappropriate for people with psychiatric illnesses, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. If you have heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, seizures, or kidney or liver problems, it is important to consult with your doctor before taking trazodone.

Additionally, trazodone has the potential to interact with many other drugs. It is important to review all medications and supplements you are taking with your healthcare provider before starting trazodone. This includes prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, herbal remedies, vitamins, and supplements. For example, trazodone should not be taken with St. John's wort, an herbal remedy for depression, as this increases the risk of side effects. It is also important to note that trazodone should not be used in combination with certain other medications, such as monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, due to the risk of serious side effects.

Furthermore, trazodone is not suitable for children or the elderly, as safety and efficacy studies have not been conducted in these populations. It is also important to note that trazodone may cause withdrawal side effects if stopped abruptly, so it is important to gradually reduce the dosage under the supervision of a healthcare provider.

Lastly, trazodone can cause drowsiness and affect alertness, coordination, and driving ability. Therefore, it is important to refrain from driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how trazodone affects you. It is also recommended to avoid alcohol and recreational drugs, as they can enhance the drowsiness caused by trazodone.

Frequently asked questions