{"id":40177,"date":"2021-09-08T14:46:36","date_gmt":"2021-09-08T18:46:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=40177"},"modified":"2026-05-04T17:35:50","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T21:35:50","slug":"trazodone-for-sleep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/trazodone-for-sleep\/","title":{"rendered":"Trazodone for sleep: What you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Trazodone<\/span><\/a>, generic for Desyrel, is a prescription antidepressant that may also help with sleep problems like insomnia. Although not FDA-approved for sleep, healthcare providers sometimes prescribe trazodone off-label because of its sedating effects. Here’s what you should know about using <\/span>trazodone<\/span><\/a> for sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Is trazodone approved as a sleep aid?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Trazodone is FDA-approved to <\/span>treat major depressive disorder<\/span><\/a> in adults, not insomnia. Still, providers sometimes prescribe it off-label to <\/span>help people sleep<\/span><\/a>, especially those with depression-related insomnia.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some studies suggest that <\/span>low doses of trazodone<\/span><\/a> may improve sleep quality and duration. It may also help you fall asleep faster and get more deep sleep. However, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recommends <\/span>against using trazodone<\/span><\/a> for chronic insomnia, citing limited benefits and potential side effects. A short-term clinical trial showed it was less effective than <\/span>Ambien<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>zolpidem tartrate<\/span><\/a>). Instead, AASM recommends FDA-approved sleep aids like <\/span>Belsomra<\/span><\/a> (suvorexant), <\/span>Lunesta<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>eszopiclone<\/span><\/a>), or Sonata (<\/span>zaleplon<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Related: <\/b>Trazodone vs. Ambien<\/b><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the typical trazodone dosage for sleep?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The trazodone dosage for insomnia ranges from 25 to 150 mg, although it is typically started at 25 to 50 mg at bedtime. The dosage may be increased gradually, depending on the person\u2019s response to the drug.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTypically, a starting dose of trazodone as a sleep aid is between 25 to 50 mg at bedtime, but max doses can go higher,\u201d says <\/span>Dr. Sean Kiesel<\/span><\/a>, DO, who practices family medicine in Nevada. \u201cThis is ultimately determined by you and your physician,\u201d he adds. <\/span>The maximum dose of trazodone for insomnia is 200 mg.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Trazodone is usually only recommended for a short-term treatment of insomnia. People who are on long-term treatment with high doses of trazodone will need to gradually decrease their dosage when discontinuing the drug.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Is it safe to take sleep aids every night?<\/b><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the advantages of taking trazodone for sleep?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Though not a first-line treatment for insomnia, trazodone has some upsides:<\/span><\/p>\n