Trazodone

Mental health

Also known as Desyrel

Trazodone started life as an antidepressant, but at lower doses its main talent is drowsiness — so today it's most often prescribed to help people sleep, especially when doctors want to avoid habit-forming sleeping pills. It's not a controlled substance and doesn't carry the same dependence risk as drugs like zolpidem.

How to take it

When

Shortly before bed. Give yourself a full night — seven to eight hours — or you may wake up groggy.

Food

Take it after a meal or light snack. On an empty stomach it hits faster but causes more dizziness.

Avoid

Alcohol and other sedatives — the drowsiness stacks. Don't drive until you know how it affects you the next morning.

Stopping

If you've taken it regularly, taper off with your doctor rather than stopping cold.

Missed a dose?

If you use it for sleep and forgot, just take the next dose tomorrow night. Never take it in the morning to catch up — you'll be sedated all day.

Common side effects

Morning grogginess, especially at first or if you slept too few hours
Dizziness or lightheadedness — stand up slowly
Dry mouth
Blurred vision or headache

Call a doctor if

An erection lasting more than 4 hours — rare, but a genuine emergency that can cause permanent damage. Go to the ER
Fainting or an irregular heartbeat
Fever, agitation, confusion, twitching — possible serotonin syndrome if combined with other antidepressants
New or worsening depression or thoughts of self-harm

Educational only. This summary is drawn from public FDA labeling and MedlinePlus and simplified for readability. Your prescription label and your pharmacist always come first — doses and instructions vary from person to person.