What is trazodone used for?
Trazodone is an antidepressant medication. It is mainly prescribed and used to treat symptoms of depression. It also has anti-anxiety and sleep aid effects, which is why it can be used to treat anxiety or insomnia, in some cases.
Is trazodone a narcotic?
No, Trazodone is not considered to be a narcotic drug. While it may cause some relaxation and induce sleep, the medication is an antidepressant, not a psychotropic or opioid drug.
Can you overdose on trazodone?
Yes, it is possible to overdose on trazodone, both by taking high dosages of the drug alone or by taking it along with other drugs of the same family or even others that interact with this kind of antidepressant. Such interaction can cause serotonin syndrome.
These overdoses have proven to only be severe or life-threatening in very rare cases, which implies that this drug is safer than many other antidepressants. Patients who overdose on trazodone usually don’t experience harsh effects.
Trazodone dosage for sleep.
Trazodone is an oral medication that is taken once, twice or even three times a day. Dosage usually starts quite low and is increased if necessary. Trazodone is not approved by FDA as a sleeping aid or insomnia treatment, so there is no official recommended dosage. However, to fight insomnia, the dosage of 150 mg a day is recommended in most cases.
Is trazodone a controlled substance?
No, trazodone is an antidepressant approved by the FDA since 1981. It is not a narcotic, opioid or psychotropic drug, so there is no reason for it to be a controlled substance.
Does trazodone cause weight gain?
It is possible to gain weight while taking trazodone. In fact, trials have seen participants gaining an average of 1.2 pounds after taking the antidepressant for 6 weeks. Reasons may vary, but one of them could be that the patient’s appetite and taste is improved once the symptoms of depression are inhibited, leading to a higher caloric intake. It may also have to do with the fact that serotonin, the appetite hormone, is being controlled by the medication, thus creating an imbalance in the patient’s appetite.
Can you get high off trazodone?
No, you cannot get high by taking trazodone in any shape or form. It is a non-narcotic drug and no cases of euphoria or such reactions have been registered by the FDA or any other authorities. It does, however, interact with the brain, nervous system and hormones, thus causing side effects that may feel a bit similar to being high. This medication is sometimes prescribed to those suffering from drug withdrawals, so that should give you an indication.
Trazodone dosage for insomnia.
While it is commonly prescribed for sleep problems, trazodone is in fact not approved as an anti-insomnia medication. Drowsiness is, however, a side effect of the medication, which along with its calming properties makes it possible for trazodone to be used as a sleeping aid. One tablet a few hours before bedtime should help the patient sleep well but avoid feeling drowsy during the day. The usual dosage is lower than that used to treat depression – 100mg to 150mg are the dosages frequently prescribed for this effect.
Trazodone mechanism of action.
Trazodone is known to be an atypical antidepressant. It is a serotonin modulator and a reuptake inhibitor, a class of antidepressants that is less toxic and safer for use than other antidepressant medications. It works by antagonizing the serotonin receptors and inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, thus effectively regulating the quantities of the hormone in the body and balancing the person’s mood, which habitually leads to treating conditions like depression and anxiety.
How long does it take for trazodone to work?
It works quite fast for insomnia, as many patients report starting to feel sleepier in 30-90 minutes after taking their bedtime pill. Trazodone improves the sleep quality of users in the first days of treatment. However, it is said to take two or even four weeks to show results when trazodone is used to treat depression.
