It is a common thing to be depressed in a few rare occasions. But, if depression becomes your constant state of mind, it is a mental condition. You need to know that mental wellbeing is vital to your physical health. If you leave a mental problem – such as depression – to go untreated, it may reduce your appetite, disturb your normal sleep-patterns and thus can bring down your level of productivity. In this light, your caregiving team may prescribe antidepressants like trazodone. But, can this antidepressant make you sleep? It is a key thing to know more on this.
Trazodona
Mood swings including depression can be quite a stressful thing. Most conditions like obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), phobia, social anxieties, etc. can turn nervous and to be very restless. It is important to seek support from a professional mental health practitioner. The caregiver may recommend changes to your daily habits, and may prescribe a few drugs. Serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitors meds (SARIs) are widely used for effective control of depression.
What is trazodone?
This drug was cleared for clinical use in the US in early 80s (1981). Ever since introduction, its use has grown steadily; it now fares in the top 25 most-prescribed drugs there. Almost 27 million or more prescriptions are written each year. This med belongs to a group of drugs called serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibiting drugs. It is also known to work as a sedative. The chief function of trazodone is to treat spells of depression. This drug is low on anticholinergic properties (capability to block acetylcholine – a brain transmitter); it can be used to treat aged or elderly patients as well.
Regular dosage level fares from 150 to 300 milligrams (mg) per day. Doses of lesser levels may help enhance the efficacy of fellow antidepressants. The initial doses are maintained at lower levels to check for allergies or hypersensitivity, if any. Though the dosages are administered many times within a day, a single-dose each day is also known to be equally effective.
Can trazodone help me sleep?
Trazodone – especially, at lesser dosage levels – is known to treat sleeplessness. It is also considered safe when used for this purpose. As you know, you may become sleepless when you are in depression; this drug also works well for such types of insomnia. The drug is mostly used for people living with depression-induced episodes of insomnia. But, it works quite well for treating people with insomnia but are not depressed.
However, trazodone may also cause a few adverse side effects; these include being sleepy during daytimes, impairment of motor function, drop in cognitive abilities, grogginess in the mornings, etc. Of these side effects, sleep inertia or grogginess soon after waking up may last for upto 40 minutes after you have woken up.
Dosages of trazodone for treating insomnia are of a moderate level; standard dose vary from 25 mg to 100 mg/day. In some rare cases, doses ranging from 150 to 400 mg/day have also been administered. The Academy of Sleep Medicine in the US advises against its use for sleeplessness caused by insufficient evidences. Use of trazodone is not recommended when the risks outweigh the advantages of using this SARI med. Your treating doctor will hence prescribe this med only when you are depressed and are living with insomnia.
Last but not least, trazodone is not a sleeping-pill. It also does not have the needful clearance from the US-based FDA for treating sleeplessness. It is used off-label mode for treating insomnia. The good thing is – there is no evidence indicating potential risks of abuse or making your addictive. But, you also need to know that these are based on limited studies and assessment; an extensive or a well-organised research on this is not done. Above all, it is considered safe to take this med under the supervision and clinical guidance of a qualified medical practitioner.
Disclaimer
Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.
Education: Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from the University of Michigan. Experience: Over 8 years of experience writing for health and wellness websites, including WebMD and Healthline, specializing in women’s health and nutrition.
