Trazodone is the generic version of a prescription antidepressant. Known by various brand names, including Desyrel, Desyrel Dividose, Oleptro, and Raldesy, this prescription medication is most frequently used to treat depression (such as major depressive disorders), anxiety, and insomnia (sleep disorders), according to Mayo Clinic. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is generally considered safe and effective when taken as directed.
Unfortunately, like many prescription medications, trazodone has the potential to be abused. Some people misuse trazodone in a misguided pursuit of a “trazodone high.” To be clear, no matter how it is taken, this medication will not provide a desirable high. Trazodone misuse is inherently dangerous. Using this medication in any way other than as directed by your doctor risks your physical and mental health. It can also set the stage for a substance abuse disorder.
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Exploring How Trazodone Works
Trazodone is a serotonin receptor antagonist and reuptake inhibitor, or SARI. As the National Institute of Health explains, it hinders the reuptake of serotonin and blocks histamine and adrenergic receptors.
Essentially, trazodone works by rebalancing the brain’s natural chemistry. Trazodone can lift the mood. It can also have a sedative effect. When started, it generally takes two to four weeks for the medication to take effect.
Trazodone is not a recreational drug. While rumors of highs may persist, the effects of taking this medication either as prescribed or inappropriately are not comparable to substances that are typically used recreationally.
Debunking the Trazodone High
There is a persistent belief that if trazodone can lift the mood of those struggling with depression or help those battling anxiety relax, then more of it might deliver a high. Some abuse it hoping for a sense of euphoria. Others are looking for calm or are seeking an escape into an alternative state of mind.
Despite the rumors, there is no high from trazodone. Instead, people who misuse this medication by taking more than prescribed or mixing it with other substances are more likely to encounter impacts that range from unpleasant to seriously hazardous.
Paradoxical effects are one notable concern of trazodone misuse. With paradoxical effects, a drug triggers the opposite of the expected reaction. So, people might expect joy, calm, or sedation. Instead, they experience anxiety, agitation, panic, or even hallucinations.
Discovering the Dangers of Trazodone Misuse
Trazodone misuse doesn’t get the headlines that the abuse of alcohol, meth, heroin, or opioids does. However, taking this prescription drug inappropriately can present significant, even life-threatening dangers.
Serious Side Effects of Trazodone
Trazodone is intended to be taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional familiar with your unique circumstances. Doctors carefully calculate the proper dosage and schedule to achieve the desired result. Veering from the plan by taking more or mixing the medication with other substances can produce a range of worrisome adverse results. These include:
- Cardiovascular troubles: As MedlinePlus indicates, a personal or family history of heart issues means that a healthcare provider would proceed with extra caution when prescribing trazodone. Therefore, it’s no surprise the drug endangers the cardiovascular system when used improperly. It can cause chest pain and trigger arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats. It can also cause low blood pressure, or hypotension.
- Drowsiness and sedation: Too much trazodone has been linked to extreme drowsiness, dizziness, and decreased coordination. This combo can increase the risk of falls and other accidents.
- Gastrointestinal issues: An overabundance of trazodone is known to have unfortunate effects on the gastrointestinal system. This includes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.
- Mental health impacts: Due to paradoxical effects, trazodone misuse can worsen depression, anxiety, insomnia, or other psychiatric conditions. Other possibilities include confusion, hallucinations, and panic attacks.
- Sexual problems: Erectile disfunction is associated with trazodone misuse. A more significant concern is priapism (a prolonged painful erection of the penis). A full or partial erection lasting for a prolonged period, it demands prompt medical attention.
Overdose is a rare but real concern with trazodone. As the National Institutes of Health reports, whether it’s taken alone or in combination with another substance, trazodone “overdose can cause a wide range of critical conditions that can be fatal.” Symptoms of a trazodone overdose include:
- Erractic heartbeat
- Troubled breathing
- Extreme drowsiness
- Prolonged erection
- Sudden seizures
- Forceful vomiting
Because trazodone overdose can impact the heart, lungs, and other vital systems, seeking medical help immediately is crucial. If you suspect a trazodone overdose, don’t wait. Call 911.
Potential Interactions
The risks of misusing trazodone increase when it is combined with other substances. Examples of common cocktails offer proof of the danger:
- Alcohol: Since alcohol is a sedative, adding it to trazodone can heighten the chances of breathing trouble and extreme sedation.
- Medications: Patients taking trazodone are warned that various herbs and medications, including NSAIDs and MAO inhibitors, can interact with their medication. Mixing medications with unprescribed amounts of trazodone can have unpredictable consequences. Other meds that affect serotonin, including antidepressants or sedatives, are especially dangerous. They may trigger serotonin syndrome. As Mayo Clinic explains, this overload of serotonin can be deadly.
- Illegal drugs: Street drugs alone pose their own dangers because you can never be sure of the quality or contents. Adding trazodone to the mixture only makes the situation more volatile. The results of consuming these cocktails are unstable, and the potential for dangerous interaction is high.
Possible Dependence and Withdrawal
Unlike opioid painkillers, trazodone is not typically associated with a strong physical dependence. However, people taking this medication are warned not to stop it abruptly. Users are generally weaned off or switched to a comparable medicine. That’s because they may develop a psychological dependence. As MedlinePlus reports, withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Pain or burning in the hands or feet
- Ringing in the ears
- Sleep problems
- Sweating
Uncovering Who Is Most at Risk
Trazodone misuse can be a serious, life-threatening problem. Recognizing who is most at risk for its nasty impacts is a proactive strategy to protect people.
Individuals with pre-existing medical conditions top this list. Their health can be more fragile. People with heart problems are especially vulnerable since it’s widely recognized that trazodone can trigger changes to heart rhythm and blood pressure if taken incorrectly.
In fact, anyone taking other medications needs to be careful. Make sure your entire healthcare team is aware of your full list of medications, both prescription and over the counter. Whenever a change is made, ask your healthcare team to check for any potential adverse interactions.
Older adults are a segment of the population that deserves recognition. Many have pre-existing health conditions. As a result, they often take multiple medications. If trazodone is added to the list, they should take special care.
For similar reasons, individuals with mental health disorders also merit a nod. As a population, they are more likely to be taking medications that impact serotonin. Therefore, they need to watch out for interactions that might put them at risk of serotonin syndrome.
Highlighting the Importance of Taking Trazodone as Prescribed
If you or a loved one has been prescribed trazodone, take it as directed. The dosage and schedule were meticulously set after a thorough review of your unique health situation. Do not take the medication in some other way, either by increasing the dose or mixing it with other substances. Taking trazodone in a way other than prescribed can not only stop you from receiving the intended benefit but also create a very real hazard to your health.
If you have questions or concerns about your prescription, don’t experiment. Instead, contact your healthcare team for advice.
Seeking Help for Substance Abuse
Trazodone misuse is prescription drug abuse, a form of substance abuse. If you or a loved one is struggling with this issue, help is available.
Anyone in the U.S. can reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, for help locating resources near you. Connect by phone at 800-662-HELP. Or, go online for more helpful information.
You can also explore the various Trazodone addiction treatment options. There are several possibilities. Rehab can be inpatient or outpatient. Therapy comes in numerous forms and can be offered in individual or group settings. The wide range makes it easier to find one that fits and ensures that treatment can progress and change as the patient’s needs do. Support groups and other aftercare programs work to prevent relapse, build support networks, and instill skills that patients need to retain their sobriety and continue their recovery journey.
Trazodone is a prescription antidepressant that should only be used under a doctor’s supervision. Misusing this medication by taking more than prescribed or combining it with other substances can be dangerous or even deadly. With that in mind, we ask you to note that this article is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have concerns about your use of trazodone, speak with a healthcare professional.
Conclusion
Are you an Illinois resident seeking recovery options for prescription drug abuse? Consider Illinois Recovery Center. When individuals reach out to our treatment center for assistance, we view each person as a unique individual. After evaluating their physical and mental health, we develop a custom treatment plan that may include medical detox, therapy, and comprehensive support to help them regain control, rebuild their lives, and embark on a sustainable recovery journey. To learn more about our substance abuse treatment programs, contact the Illinois Recovery Center today.
FAQ
Is Trazodone a Benzodiazepine?
