What is Trazodone: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Take your medicine as directed. 

The dose may need to be changed several times to find the most effective dose.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask the pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

Take trazodone tablets shortly after a meal or light snack.

The tablet can be swallowed whole, or you may break the tablet in half along the score line. Do not break the tablet unless a doctor tells you to. 

Do not crush or chew the tablet.

Store the medicine in a tightly-closed container at room temperature out of the light and out of the reach of children.

Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. 

Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

This medicine is not right for everyone. 

Do not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to trazodone.

Do not use trazodone if you’re currently taking or recently stopped taking a type of drug called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).

Tell any doctor or healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.

Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Call your healthcare provider between appointments if you have any symptoms or side effects that concern you.

This medicine may worsen depression or cause thoughts of suicide or violence. Talk with your doctor right away if you have changes in mood or behaviors that concern you.

Before taking this medicine, tell the prescribing healthcare provider if you have:

• Heart problems or have had a recent heart attack

• Heart rhythm problems

• Bipolar disorder

• Liver problems

• Kidney problems

• Other serious medical conditions

Before taking this medicine, tell the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

This medicine may cause the following problems: 

• Serotonin syndrome (more likely when used with certain other medicines) 

• Heart rhythm problems (QT prolongation)

• Low blood pressure

• Eye problems and vision changes

• Low sodium levels

• Bleeding and bruising

• Painful or long-lasting erections

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. 

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly until consulting with the prescribing healthcare provider.

Because of possible drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements you are using before taking this drug.

Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.

Do not use trazodone if you currently take an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) or have used an MAOI in the past 14 days.

Do not use this medicine together with the antipsychotic medications pimozide and thioridazine. 

Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Tell your healthcare provider if you also are taking: 

• Stimulants

• Other antidepressants

• Medications to treat mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder

• Opioids

• Migraine headache medications called triptans

• Drugs that make you pee (diuretics)

• Blood pressure medications

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen

• Blood thinners

• Digoxin

• St. John’s wort

Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

Some drugs slow down or speed up the body’s metabolism of trazodone. If these drugs are combined with trazodone, doses may need to be modified. 

• Some examples include ritonavir, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, carbamazepine, and phenytoin