{"id":52953,"date":"2022-08-10T09:01:50","date_gmt":"2022-08-10T13:01:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=52953"},"modified":"2024-09-19T11:26:44","modified_gmt":"2024-09-19T15:26:44","slug":"trazodone-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/trazodone-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Trazodone alternatives: What can I take instead of trazodone?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Compare trazodone alternatives<\/a>\u00a0| <\/span>Mirtazapine<\/span><\/a> | Doxepin<\/a> | <\/span>Amitriptyline<\/span><\/a> | Paroxetine<\/a> | Bupropion<\/a> | Natural alternatives<\/a> | How to switch meds<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Trazodone<\/span><\/a> hydrochloride (brand names <\/span>Desyrel<\/span> and Oleptro) is a commonly used medication to treat major depressive disorder (MDD). It can help improve mood, increase energy level, decrease anxiety, and reduce insomnia associated with <\/span>depression<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>Trazodone<\/span> is a unique <\/span>antidepressant<\/span><\/a> as it is both a serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor<\/span>\u00a0and a 5HT2 <\/span>receptor<\/span> antagonist. <\/span>
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As a drug that doesn\u2019t belong to any of the main classes of <\/span>antidepressants<\/span>, <\/span>trazodone<\/span> may be referred to as a serotonin modulator. It works to increase the amount of serotonin, which is an important <\/span>neurotransmitter<\/span> (chemical messenger). Increased serotonin in the <\/span>central nervous system<\/span> (<\/span>CNS<\/span><\/a>) can stabilize mood, happiness, and overall well-being. Additionally, <\/span>trazodone<\/span> blocks histamine H1 <\/span>receptors<\/span> (similar to an <\/span>antihistamine<\/span><\/a>), which can be associated with enhanced sleep and potential for daytime <\/span>drowsiness<\/span>. These unique properties have led to many <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> uses of <\/span>trazodone<\/span> including <\/span>sleep disorders<\/span>, anxiety, Alzheimer disease, substance abuse, bulimia, and fibromyalgia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although <\/span>clinical trial<\/span> data is limited, <\/span>trazodone<\/span> is often used at <\/span>lower doses<\/span> as a sedative to <\/span>help with sleep<\/span><\/a> in people with depression either alone or in combination with other <\/span>antidepressants<\/span>. <\/span>Trazodone<\/span><\/a> is available as a tablet and is typically taken one to three times daily for depression. <\/span>Clinical studies have shown <\/span>trazodone<\/span><\/a> to be comparable in treating depression to other <\/span>antidepressant medications<\/span> including tricyclic <\/span>antidepressants<\/span> (TCAs), selective serotonin reuptake <\/span>inhibitors<\/span> (<\/span>SSRIs<\/span>), and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake <\/span>inhibitors<\/span> (SNRIs). <\/span>Trazodone<\/span> avoids the issue of sexual dysfunction, insomnia, and anxiety that can be common with <\/span>SSRI<\/span> and SNRI therapy.<\/span><\/p>\n

While an effective treatment for some people, <\/span>trazodone<\/span> may not be the best or safest option for all people managing depression. <\/span>Common side effects of trazodone<\/span> include sedation, dizziness, <\/span>dry mouth<\/span>, and nausea. <\/span>Serious side effects of trazodone<\/span> include <\/span>priapism<\/span> (painful, prolonged erection), orthostatic hypotension (sudden drop in <\/span>blood pressure<\/span>), heart arrhythmias, <\/span>serotonin syndrome<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>suicidal thoughts<\/span>. <\/span>Trazodone<\/span> has a <\/span>black box<\/span> warning<\/span><\/a> (highest <\/span>FDA<\/span> safety-related warning for serious or life-threatening <\/span>adverse effects<\/span>) for an increased risk of <\/span>suicidal thoughts<\/span> and behaviors in children and young adults.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Due to the way the liver and kidney break down <\/span>trazodone<\/span>, special care is necessary for people with severe <\/span>liver problems<\/span> and severe kidney <\/span>impairment<\/span>. Published literature on <\/span>trazodone<\/span> use in pregnant women has not found any associated risks of miscarriage, major congenital disabilities, and adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. <\/span>Healthcare providers<\/span> should consider the risk of untreated depression if planning to discontinue or change <\/span>antidepressant<\/span> treatment while a person is pregnant. In <\/span>breastfeeding<\/span>, caution should be used as small amounts of <\/span>trazodone<\/span> have been found in breast milk.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What can I take in place of <\/span>trazodone<\/span>?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are other options available to treat depression that do not improve with <\/span>trazodone<\/span> and other options for those who have both depression and <\/span>sleep problems<\/span>. These alternative prescription medications include other serotonin modulators, <\/span>atypical <\/span>antidepressants<\/span><\/a>, selective serotonin reuptake <\/span>inhibitors<\/span> (<\/span>SSRIs<\/span>), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake <\/span>inhibitors<\/span> (<\/span>SNRIs<\/span><\/a>), <\/span>tricyclic <\/span>antidepressants<\/span><\/a> (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase <\/span>inhibitors<\/span> (<\/span>MAOIs<\/span><\/a>). These options may be more suitable for certain individuals due to their different uses, <\/span>side effect<\/span> profiles, and dosages. If pricing is a factor in finding an alternative to trazodone, a <\/span>SingleCare prescription discount card<\/span><\/a> may help reduce prescription costs of up to 80% at <\/span>participating pharmacies<\/span><\/a>. Switching from one <\/span>antidepressant<\/span> to another can be common in order to find the best fit for the person. <\/span>A study of a claims database analysis<\/span><\/a> involving 134,287 patients treated with <\/span>antidepressants<\/span> determined 23.2% had a treatment change including 9.5% with a switch in <\/span>antidepressants<\/span> and 9.1% with an addition of combination therapy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>What you should know before switching <\/b>antidepressants<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare trazodone alternatives<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Drug name<\/b><\/td>\nUses<\/b><\/td>\nDosage<\/b><\/td>\nSavings options<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Desyrel<\/p>\n

(trazodone)<\/td>\n

Major depressive disorder<\/td>\n50 to 100 mg tablet by mouth two to three times daily<\/td>\nTrazodone coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Elavil (amitriptyline)<\/td>\nDepression<\/td>\n50 to 150 mg tablet by mouth at bedtime<\/td>\nAmitriptyline coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wellbutrin<\/p>\n

(bupropion)<\/td>\n

Major depressive disorder<\/td>\n100 mg tablet by mouth three times daily<\/td>\nBupropion coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Celexa<\/p>\n

(citalopram)<\/td>\n

Major depressive disorder<\/td>\n20 to 40 mg tablet by mouth once daily<\/td>\nCitalopram coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Silenor<\/p>\n

(doxepin)<\/td>\n

Depression<\/p>\n

Anxiety<\/p>\n

Insomnia<\/td>\n

150 to 300 mg capsule by mouth at bedtime (depression\/anxiety)<\/p>\n

6 mg tablet by mouth at bedtime (insomnia)<\/td>\n

Doxepin coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lexapro<\/p>\n

(escitalopram)<\/td>\n

Major depressive disorder<\/p>\n

Generalized anxiety disorder<\/td>\n

10 mg tablet by mouth once daily<\/td>\nEscitalopram coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Remeron<\/p>\n

(mirtazapine)<\/td>\n

Major depressive disorder<\/td>\n15 to 45 mg tablet by mouth at bedtime<\/td>\nMirtazapine coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Serzone<\/p>\n

(nefazodone)<\/td>\n

Major depressive disorder<\/td>\n150 to 300 mg tablet by mouth two times daily<\/td>\nNefazodone coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Paxil<\/p>\n

(paroxetine)<\/td>\n

Major depressive disorder (MDD)<\/p>\n

Panic disorder (PD)<\/p>\n

Social anxiety disorder (SAD)<\/p>\n

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)<\/td>\n

20 to 50 mg tablet by mouth once daily (MDD)<\/p>\n

25 to 62.5 mg extended release tablet by mouth once daily (MDD)<\/td>\n

Paroxetine coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zoloft<\/p>\n

(sertraline)<\/td>\n

Major depressive disorder<\/p>\n

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)<\/p>\n

Panic disorder (PD)<\/p>\n

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)<\/p>\n

Social anxiety disorder (SAD)<\/p>\n

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)<\/td>\n

50 to 200 mg tablet by mouth once daily<\/td>\nSertraline coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Effexor<\/p>\n

(venlafaxine)<\/td>\n

Major depressive disorder<\/td>\n75 to 225 mg tablet by mouth two to three times daily<\/p>\n

75 to 225 mg extended-release tablet\/capsule by mouth once daily<\/td>\n

Venlafaxine coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Viibryd<\/p>\n

(vilazodone)<\/td>\n

Major depressive disorder<\/td>\n20 to 40 mg tablet by mouth once daily<\/td>\nViibryd coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Trintellix<\/p>\n

(vortioxetine)<\/td>\n

Major depressive disorder<\/td>\n20 mg tablet by mouth once daily<\/td>\nTrintellix coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Other alternatives to <\/span>trazodone:<\/span><\/h3>\n