Trazodone
Trazodone is an antidepressant used for selected cases of depression. Its sedating effect also leads to use in some sleep-treatment plans, but sleep symptoms still need assessment.
Key points
- Trazodone can cause marked drowsiness and a blood-pressure drop, increasing driving and fall risk.
- Serotonergic medicines, heart-rhythm disease and bipolar symptoms require review.
- Suicidal intent, fainting or a painful erection that does not subside needs urgent care.
Listings are for comparison only. Suitability and supply depend on clinician and pharmacy checks, stock, destination rules and prescription requirements.
How it works
Trazodone inhibits serotonin reuptake and blocks selected serotonin, histamine and alpha-adrenergic receptors. These actions contribute to antidepressant, sedating and blood-pressure effects.
Important safety checks
Suicide risk, bipolar disorder, low blood pressure, heart-rhythm disease, liver or kidney problems and monoamine-oxidase inhibitors or other serotonergic medicines require review. Alcohol and sedatives worsen impairment. Do not stop abruptly without a plan.
When to seek urgent care
Seek urgent help for suicidal intent, fainting, a seizure, a sustained irregular heartbeat, severe agitation with fever and muscle rigidity, facial swelling, breathing difficulty or a painful erection that does not subside.