{"id":631110,"date":"2025-01-20T15:43:32","date_gmt":"2025-01-20T20:43:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=631110"},"modified":"2025-12-11T17:19:05","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T22:19:05","slug":"trazodone-and-lorazepam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/trazodone-and-lorazepam\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you take trazodone and lorazepam together?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sleep and mental health are deeply connected. In fact, insomnia can elevate the risk of anxiety or worsen its symptoms. Sometimes, treating one improves the other. In other cases, insomnia and anxiety or depression require different treatments.<\/span><\/p>\n

Trazodone hydrochloride<\/span><\/a> is an antidepressant known to cause drowsiness. Although it is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for major depressive disorder (also known as clinical depression) in adults, it is sometimes prescribed <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> to treat anxiety.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lorazepam<\/span><\/a> (generic Ativan) is a fast-acting drug that is FDA approved for anxiety disorders, anxiety-induced insomnia, and long-lasting seizures. It is also prescribed<\/span> off-label as a sleep aid<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you or someone in your care has insomnia along with anxiety or depression, you might wonder whether it is okay to take trazodone and lorazepam together. The answer depends on the circumstances. Below, our experts unpack safety, side effects, and other considerations to know before combining trazodone and lorazepam.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you take trazodone and lorazepam together?<\/span><\/h2>\n

You can take trazodone and lorazepam together, but there are risks, and it ultimately depends on various factors that should be considered on a case-by-case basis.<\/span><\/p>\n

Trazodone and lorazepam are sometimes prescribed to be taken on the same day but not at the same time. For instance, <\/span>Sid Khurana, MD<\/span><\/a>, psychiatrist and cofounder of Nevada Mental Health, says someone might take a nightly dose of trazodone for chronic insomnia while taking lorazepam during the day if and when a panic attack strikes. Simultaneous dosing is not recommended \u201cbecause we don\u2019t want someone\u2019s respiratory system to get too depressed,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Alex Dimitriu, MD<\/span><\/a>, a double-board-certified psychiatrist, sleep medicine physician, and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, says that while there are no known interactions between lorazepam and trazodone, he considers it ideal to take one or the other\u2014not both. He also says trazodone is usually preferred because it is \u201cgentler\u201d and safer for long-term use.<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, trazodone and lorazepam are prescribed together when necessary\u2014though usually during a short-term period of acute treatment. \u201cWe use the combination of trazodone and lorazepam on a daily basis,\u201d says Renee Solomon, a clinical psychologist and the clinical director and CEO of<\/span> Forward Recovery<\/span><\/a>, an addiction rehabilitation center in Los Angeles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen clients are coming in detoxing from drugs and alcohol, they are often prescribed lorazepam to deal with the dangers and side effects of withdrawal. Many of them have issues sleeping, and we utilize the trazodone to help them sleep at night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Trazodone for sleep: What you need to know<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Both trazodone and lorazepam can suppress the central nervous system (CNS), so both Drs. Khurana and Soloman warn that combining them can cause severe drowsiness. Sleepiness, combined with lorazepam\u2019s potential for respiratory suppression, can be dangerous.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bottom line: Anyone who wants to take trazodone and lorazepam together should speak with their healthcare provider first. It is critical to get medical advice before combining medications, as combining drugs increases the risk of interactions, side effects, and other adverse events.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is trazodone or lorazepam better?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Trazodone and lorazepam are very different medications. Which one is better depends on an individual’s symptoms and medical conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Research<\/span><\/a> has repeatedly demonstrated traxodone\u2019s effectiveness as a sleep aid. Lorazepam has also been proven effective for sleep trouble\u2014<\/span>anxiety-induced insomnia<\/span><\/a>, specifically. But beyond both helping treat sleep difficulties, these medications are not similar, which explains the lack of head-to-head comparisons in scientific research.<\/span><\/p>\n

Drug class<\/span><\/h3>\n

Trazodone and lorazepam belong to two different drug classes. Trazodone is an<\/span> antidepressant<\/span><\/a> that is a serotonin antagonist and a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Antidepressants like trazodone are considered generally safe for long-term use.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lorazepam is a<\/span> benzodiazepine<\/span><\/a> that can be administered by mouth or injection. Colloquially known as a \u201cbenzo,\u201d <\/span>lorazepam is a controlled substance<\/span><\/a> with a risk of misuse and dependence.<\/span><\/p>\n

Effectiveness for mental health conditions<\/span><\/h3>\n

Trazodone and lorazepam do not treat the same mental health conditions. Which drug is best depends on the condition being treated.<\/span><\/p>\n

Trazodone is FDA approved and<\/span> proven effective<\/span><\/a> for depression. However, it is most widely used for the treatment of insomnia. Other less common<\/span> off-label uses<\/span><\/a> include the following:<\/span><\/p>\n