Mood shifts may often lead to a depressed state of mind. If you are depressed for a longer period of time, you may need timely medical intervention and clinical support. Also, if left untreated – mental conditions such as depression can impair your normal way of living. In many instances, a depressed state of mind may cause complications like anxieties, nervousness, panic disorders, hallucinations, etc. Your treating physician will prescribe drugs that can increase the presence of neurotransmitters in your brain. Trazodone is a drug used in this regard. But is this drug a controlled substance? It pays to know more on this front.
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.
What is trazodone?
This med has the authorisation of drug clearing authority in the early part of 1980s. Upon its launch, it soon gained popularity and soared to rank as one of the highly prescribed meds in US. Today, it is rated as one among the top 30 top-prescription meds. Nearly 26 million (perhaps more) prescriptions are issued per annum.
This drug is categorised under a genre known as serotonin-antagonist and reuptake-inhibiting meds. Its sedative capabilities bring about needful calmness among patients living with mental conditions like depression. The foremost therapeutic function of trazodone is its ability to bring down episodes of depression.
The fact that trazodone has lesser anticholinergic capabilities makes it work well for people aged above 50 years. Other meds of the same genre are known to block acetylcholine – a transmitting chemical in your brain; this often does not go well with elders living with depression or other mental conditions.
Is trazodone a controlled substance?
Drug approving body in the US – the food and drug administration (FDA) – does not qualify trazodone as controlled substance. It is not classified as controlled based on the outcomes of studies done for this purpose. Several studies indicate that users of this antidepressant med are unlikely to abuse it.
You need to be aware of what a controlled substance is; a prescribed-med that has potential to cause dependencies or addiction are classified as a controlled item. Various grades – labelled as schedules – are issued based on risk levels. These schedules – ranging from II to V – represent less potential of abuse or addiction. For instance, meds categorised under schedule V have the least possible risks of abuse.
In some instances, this med – as an off-label use – is prescribed to treat spells of sleeplessness/insomnia. However, the dosage strength of trazodone for insomnia is at a reduced level – i.e., much lesser than the strength prescribed to treat mental conditions like depression, anxieties, etc. The potential of its abuse – when used for such applications – has not been evidenced in full.
Last but not least, administration of trazodone is according to instructions as well as guidance of qualified mental health practitioner. This med is not an OTC drug. If you want to have additional inputs about consuming trazodone – it is a good practice to talk to your physician prior to starting your medication plan.
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.