Trazodone
Trazodone is an antidepressant of the serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor class, usually shortened to SARI. It is used in major depressive disorder and in anxiety. Tablets come in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg strengths. Its effect on mood builds over one to two weeks rather than arriving at once.
Medicine containing Trazodone
Key points
- Trazodone inhibits serotonin reuptake at the presynaptic nerve terminal and also blocks 5-HT2A receptors, a combination that shapes both mood and sleep.
- Drowsiness and dry mouth are common minor effects; dizziness, headache and nausea are classed as moderate ones.
- The half-life is around seven hours, and benefit usually appears within one to two weeks of starting.
What trazodone is used for
Trazodone is an antidepressant. Its main use is major depressive disorder, where low mood, poor sleep and loss of interest persist and interfere with daily life.
Anxiety is the other use. Trazodone belongs to the wider group of antidepressants, medicines that change serotonin signalling between nerve cells.
Sleep problems often accompany low mood, and the sedative action of trazodone is why it is used where the two overlap. Its chemical structure differs from that of other antidepressants, which is part of why it acts on mood and on sleep at the same time.
How it works
Serotonin carries signals between nerve cells, and reuptake is the process that removes it from the space between them. Trazodone blocks that reuptake presynaptically, so more serotonin stays available for signalling. It also antagonises 5-HT2A receptors. This receptor blockade is why the medicine has a sedative rather than an alerting profile, and the two actions together are what improve mood and sleep patterns.
Forms and strengths
MayChemist supplies Trazodone as a tablet in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg strengths, so the dose can be matched to the treatment plan. Orders are prepared by pharmacy partners in India and shipped to Malaysia in discreet packaging.
Safety
Do not take trazodone during the acute recovery phase of a myocardial infarction, or if you have had a hypersensitivity reaction to it.
The medicine may cause drowsiness. Drowsiness and dry mouth are common as the body adjusts, and dizziness, headache and nausea are also reported; these effects usually ease during the early phase of treatment.
Priapism and serotonin syndrome are serious effects, and both require immediate medical attention. A prolonged erection is a medical emergency that needs treatment at once.
Trazodone interacts with alcohol, fluoxetine and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Any other medicines you take, including herbal supplements, should be raised before treatment starts. It is not for children or adolescents under 18 years. In pregnancy and breastfeeding it should be used with caution.
Further reading
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