{"id":630352,"date":"2024-11-11T17:45:30","date_gmt":"2024-11-11T22:45:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630352"},"modified":"2024-11-11T17:45:56","modified_gmt":"2024-11-11T22:45:56","slug":"trazodone-and-lexapro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/trazodone-and-lexapro\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you take trazodone and Lexapro?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Finding the right medication to manage a <\/span>mental health condition<\/span> is difficult, and it can take some trial and error to settle on an effective treatment plan. Two commonly prescribed medications for various <\/span>mental health conditions<\/span> are <\/span>trazodone<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Lexapro<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As a <\/span>brand-name<\/span> prescription drug, <\/span>Lexapro<\/span> is <\/span>FDA<\/span>-approved<\/span><\/a> to treat <\/span>major depressive disorder<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>anxiety disorders<\/span><\/a>. Commonly referred to by its generic name, <\/span>escitalopram<\/span>, <\/span>Lexapro<\/span> is a <\/span>selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor<\/span> (<\/span>SSRI<\/span>)<\/span><\/a> that works by increasing <\/span>serotonin levels<\/span> in the central <\/span>nervous system<\/span> (CNS). <\/span>Trazodone<\/span> (<\/span>Desyrel<\/span>)\u2014a generic prescription medication\u2014is also an <\/span>antidepressant<\/span><\/a>. It\u2019s used to treat depression and works by enhancing serotonin activity in the CNS.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although each medication is considered safe and effective on its own, <\/span>taking Lexapro<\/span> and <\/span>trazodone<\/span> together may be risky. Read on to learn more about the potential risks of combining <\/span>trazodone<\/span> and <\/span>Lexapro<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you take <\/span>trazodone<\/span> with <\/span>Lexapro<\/span>?<\/span><\/h2>\n

In certain situations, people may consider combining <\/span>trazodone<\/span> and <\/span>Lexapro<\/span> medications. In theory, there may be benefits to doing so, but taking <\/span>trazodone<\/span> with <\/span>Lexapro<\/span> generally isn\u2019t safe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although <\/span>trazodone<\/span><\/a> is <\/span>FDA<\/span>-approved for depression, it\u2019s primarily known for its <\/span>off-label<\/span> use<\/span><\/a> as a sleep aid due to its <\/span>sedative effects<\/span>. In a <\/span>2017 systematic review<\/span><\/a>, researchers concluded that <\/span>low-dose<\/span> trazodone<\/span> is effective for <\/span>insomnia<\/span><\/a> in people with or without depression. <\/span>Lexapro<\/span><\/a>, on the other hand, is used to treat depression and anxiety. Because insomnia is a common symptom of depression, combining <\/span>trazodone<\/span> and <\/span>Lexapro<\/span> may appear to be a comprehensive treatment plan, especially since sleep deficiency and poor <\/span>sleep quality<\/span> may be <\/span>linked to<\/span><\/a> anxiety and depression. But, doing so can increase your risk of serious <\/span>side effects<\/span>, such as <\/span>serotonin syndrome<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>heart rhythm<\/span> problems, and difficulty focusing. If you\u2019re experiencing insomnia in addition to anxiety or depression, it\u2019s best to consult a <\/span>healthcare provider<\/span> for <\/span>medical advice<\/span> about your treatment options. They can recommend medications that are safe and effective for your condition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What happens if you take <\/span>trazodone<\/span> and <\/span>Lexapro<\/span> together?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Trazodone<\/span> and <\/span>Lexapro<\/span> are known to <\/span>interact<\/span><\/a> with one another, and their combined use can result in serious <\/span>adverse effects<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Serotonin syndrome<\/span><\/h3>\n

Serotonin syndrome<\/span> is a rare and potentially <\/span>life-threatening<\/span> condition that occurs when there are excessive levels of serotonin\u2014a <\/span>neurotransmitter<\/span> (chemical) involved in regulating your mood, appetite, sleep, and other bodily functions\u2014in your system. On rare occasions, <\/span>serotonin syndrome<\/span> can occur while taking one drug that increases <\/span>serotonin levels<\/span>. However, it is more likely to occur if you\u2019re taking two or more serotonin-raising drugs at a time. <\/span>Trazodone<\/span> and <\/span>Lexapro<\/span> both work by boosting <\/span>serotonin levels<\/span> in your CNS. When they\u2019re combined, your <\/span>risk of serotonin syndrome<\/span> increases. Symptoms of <\/span>serotonin syndrome<\/span> may include:<\/span><\/p>\n