{"id":627787,"date":"2024-04-15T09:11:13","date_gmt":"2024-04-15T13:11:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=627787"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:00:45","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:00:45","slug":"how-long-does-it-take-trazodone-to-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-long-does-it-take-trazodone-to-work\/","title":{"rendered":"How long does it take for trazodone to work?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You can thank serotonin if you’ve ever felt pure joy around a puppy or lingering contentment on a quiet night. As the brain’s “feel good” chemical, this neurotransmitter regulates moods, promotes calmness and happiness, and improves deep sleep. People who have depression often have low serotonin levels, but they can correct that imbalance with <\/span>trazodone<\/span><\/a>, a prescription antidepressant medication that also treats <\/span>anxiety<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>sleep disorders<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

For <\/span>depression<\/span><\/a>, this serotonin modulator may take a few weeks to work, but people struggling with sleep might feel its soothing effects much quicker. Here’s all the information on trazodone’s timeline, effects, and safety. <\/span><\/p>\n

Note: <\/b>Sometimes, veterinarians prescribe <\/span>trazodone for dogs<\/span><\/a>, and while it’s safe for our canine companions, the information in this article applies solely to humans. <\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Anxiety vs. depression: Compare causes, symptoms, treatments & more<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

How long does it take trazodone to work?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Anyone feeling the weight of depression, the tension of anxiety, or the frustration of insomnia will want their medication to start working as soon as possible. But “the timeframe within which trazodone begins to work varies based on the ailment it’s addressing,” according to <\/span>Dr. Ryan Sultán, MD<\/span><\/a>, a psychiatrist at <\/span>Integrated Psych<\/span><\/a> and professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University. <\/span><\/p>\n

Depression<\/span><\/h3>\n

When taken for depression, trazodone usually takes at least a week to kick in. Results from <\/span>a 2021 review of clinical trials<\/span><\/a> showed that people with major depressive disorder (MDD) reported significant improvement in as little as one week. However, “typically, it might take a few weeks of treatment, often between two and four, for individuals to start noticing a shift in their mood and energy levels, with the full spectrum of its antidepressant benefits unfolding over a period of up to six to eight weeks,” Dr. Sultán says. <\/span><\/p>\n

Doctors typically prescribe trazodone for depression in 50mg–300mg doses, and the specific dosage may also affect how fast it works. <\/span><\/p>\n

Anxiety<\/span><\/h3>\n

Unlike depression, anxiety is an <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> use for <\/span>trazodone<\/span><\/a>. However, its influence on serotonin and calming effects can still help treat people with generalized anxiety disorder. Much like its effect on depression, trazodone can take multiple weeks to work for anxiety. The same 2021 review found that patient improvements weren’t significant after seven days but after 21. <\/span><\/p>\n

Insomnia<\/span><\/h3>\n

Trazodone for insomnia<\/span><\/a> is another off-label use, but a fairly common one. That’s because trazodone exhibits sedative effects that make it effective for people with sleep problems. A <\/span>systematic review from 2017<\/span><\/a> analyzed various studies where patients taking trazodone for insomnia reported significant improvements. It often takes around 30 minutes to feel the drowsiness associated with trazodone, although it can take <\/span>up to two hours to reach peak levels<\/span><\/a> in the bloodstream.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>What is the best medication for anxiety and insomnia?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

How do I know if trazodone is working?<\/span><\/h3>\n

It’s easy to know whether trazodone works for insomnia—you just feel sleepy. But it’s slightly tougher to assess its efficacy for depression and anxiety. And as we mentioned, it may take a few weeks to experience its full benefits. <\/span><\/p>\n

The patient may feel slightly more relaxed in the first couple of weeks. Things that used to cause worry or fear might seem less intimidating, and the patient might feel an improved overall mood. <\/span><\/p>\n

However, weeks three and four are where it typically takes off. “If you have depression, you may notice an overall better feeling of wellness. You may start to enjoy the activities you liked doing in the past. You may notice your appetite and sleep patterns becoming more normal.” <\/span>Dr. Luke Prest, MD<\/span><\/a>, is a physician and author at ChoosingTherapy. “For anxiety, you may feel less anxious in the settings that typically cause problems for you. You may feel a desire to engage more with others.” Completing tasks and interacting with others throughout the day might also feel much easier. If not, the doctor may adjust your dose<\/span><\/p>\n

Factors that influence how long trazodone takes to work<\/span><\/h2>\n

Every situation is unique, so trazodone works differently, depending on the person. “Your body chemistry plays a big role—some people just naturally respond quicker than others,” says <\/span>Max Ruvinov, PharmD, MBA<\/span><\/a>, pharmacist, and author at ChoosingTherapy. Sleep levels and stress can affect it, too, he says. But there are also drugs and other substances that can affect its efficiency. They include:<\/span><\/p>\n