Trazodone oral tablet side effects: A detailed guide

This article describes possible side effects of trazodone oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for trazodone.

Trazodone oral tablet is a generic medication. It isn’t available in a brand-name version.

You can explore this overview article to learn more about trazodone oral tablet, including the drug’s uses, dosage, ways to save on cost, and more.

Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Trazodone has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Side effects of trazodone in detail” section below.

More common side effects of trazodone

Trazodone oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.

Commonly reported side effects of trazodone oral tablet include:

• blurred vision
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• drowsiness (sleepiness)*
• dry mouth
• fatigue (low energy)

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of trazodone in detail” section below.

Mild side effects of trazodone

Trazodone oral tablet may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of trazodone oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• blurred vision
• weight gain or weight loss
• constipation
• coordination problems
• diarrhea
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• drowsiness (sleepiness)*
• dry mouth
• fatigue (low energy)
• headache
• mild allergic reaction*
• muscle aches or pains
• nausea or vomiting
• stuffy nose
• swelling in the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• tremors (uncontrollable shaking in a part of your body)

Trazodone oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of trazodone in detail” section below.

Serious side effects of trazodone

Trazodone may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from trazodone oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with trazodone oral tablet.

Serious side effects of trazodone oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• abnormal heart rhythms (heartbeat that’s too fast, too slow, or uneven)
• changes in blood pressure, such as high or low blood pressure
• changes in your brain’s ability to coordinate thoughts or movements, which may cause confusion, difficulty concentrating, and trouble with balance
• extreme sleepiness*
• fainting
• increased risk of bleeding
• low sodium levels in the blood
• orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure when you stand up, which may lead to fainting)
• risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors†
• serotonin syndrome (high levels of the chemical serotonin), which can be life threatening
• severe allergic reaction*‡
• sexual side effects*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of trazodone in detail” section below.
† Trazodone oral tablet has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects of trazodone in detail” section below.
‡ An allergic reaction is possible with trazodone oral tablet. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.

Common questions about side effects of trazodone

Here are answers to some common questions about the side effects of trazodone oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is trazodone used for sleep? If so, are there certain side effects with this use?

Trazodone oral tablet is not approved for managing sleep. That said, drowsiness and sleepiness are side effects of the drug. So, doctors may prescribe it off-label to treat sleep problems, such as trouble sleeping. With off-label use, a drug is prescribed to treat a condition that it isn’t approved to treat.

For more information about drowsiness caused by trazodone, see the “Side effects of trazodone in detail” section below. To learn more about taking trazodone oral tablet for sleep, talk with your doctor.

Can trazodone cause certain side effects in females versus males?

Yes, trazodone can cause different side effects in females compared with males.*

In rare cases, the drug can cause period changes or irregularities. These include early or missed periods. Tell your doctor if you have any changes in your period while taking trazodone oral tablet.

Trazodone oral tablet can also cause sexual side effects that can differ between females and males. To learn more about this, see the “Side effects of trazodone in detail” section below.

If you have other questions about different side effects between males and females, talk with your doctor.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.

Are older adults at higher risk of having certain side effects from trazodone than younger adults?

Yes, older adults may have a higher risk of experiencing certain side effects with trazodone than younger adults. Older adults generally refers to people ages 65 years and older. One example is low sodium levels in the blood.

Symptoms of low sodium levels include:

• confusion
• memory problems
• difficulty concentrating
• weakness

Also, compared to younger adults, older adults may be more severely affected by certain side effects of trazodone. Examples include:

• orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure when you stand up), which may lead to fainting, falling, or related injury, such as broken bones
• changes in the brain’s ability to coordinate thoughts or movements, which may cause confusion, difficulty concentrating, and trouble with balance

If you develop any of these symptoms, call your doctor right away. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about taking trazodone oral tablet given your age.

Is weight gain a side effect of trazodone?

Yes, weight gain is possible while taking trazodone oral tablet. But weight loss is also possible. Both were reported as less common side effects in the drug’s studies.

The drug affects a brain chemical called serotonin. Serotonin plays a role in regulating appetite. For some people, the changes in serotonin levels with trazodone oral tablet can cause weight gain.

If you notice changes in body weight while taking trazodone oral tablet, talk with your doctor. They can determine the most likely cause and suggest ways to manage it.

Does trazodone cause long-term side effects?

Most of trazodone oral tablet’s side effects are mild and temporary. They usually last a few days to weeks, or they can be easily managed.

One possible exception to this is priapism (a long lasting erection that won’t go away). Priapism has been reported with trazodone oral tablet. The condition can be painful and requires urgent medical care. Without treatment, it can cause permanent damage to the penis.

In long-term studies of trazodone oral tablet, some people had a heart rate that was slower than usual. But it isn’t clear how long this lasted or how long these studies were.

If you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome or severe, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ways to manage side effects or may make changes to your treatment.

If I stop taking trazodone, will I experience withdrawal symptoms?

It’s possible to have withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking trazodone oral tablet. Withdrawal symptoms occur when you stop taking a drug your body is dependent on. With dependence, your body needs the drug to function like usual.

Withdrawal symptoms may include:

• burning, tingling, or electric shock-like sensations
• dizziness
• headache
• changes in moods, agitation, anxiety, or irritability
• nausea
• ringing in the ears
• seizures (changes in the electrical activity of your brain)
• sleep problems
• sweating
• tremors (uncontrollable shaking in a part of your body)

To reduce the risk of these symptoms, doctors will slowly lower the dosage of trazodone oral tablet over time. Do not stop taking trazodone oral tablet without first talking with your doctor. They’ll let you know how to do it safely if you need to stop treatment with the drug.

Coupon for trazodone

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for trazodone when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Side effects of trazodone in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of trazodone oral tablet.

Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Trazodone oral tablet has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Trazodone oral tablet is an antidepressant drug. Antidepressants can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in people who have depression or other mental health conditions.

In studies of trazodone oral tablet, the risk was increased in children and young adults up to 24 years of age. But keep in mind that this drug is only approved for use in adults ages 18 years and older.

An increased risk wasn’t seen in adults older than 24 years of age. The risk may be reduced in adults ages 65 years and older.

Ways to manage

Due to this risk, trazodone oral tablet isn’t approved for use in children.

For adults, doctors will closely monitor for new or worsening suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Signs to watch for include changes in thoughts, feelings, mood, or behaviors. Symptoms are especially likely to happen in the first few months of treatment and after dosage increases.

Tell your doctor right away if you notice any changes or any of the symptoms listed above. Your doctor can recommend the best way to treat your symptoms. This may include having you stop taking trazodone.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

• Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
• Listen to the person without judgment.
• Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
• Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
• Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Click here for more links and local resources.

Sexual side effects

Sexual side effects are possible with trazodone oral tablet. In studies, these side effects included erectile dysfunction (ED), difficulties with ejaculation, and increased sex drive.

Priapism has also been reported with trazodone oral tablet. Priapism is a long lasting erection that won’t go away. The condition can be painful and requires medical care. Without treatment, it can cause permanent damage to your penis.

Ways to manage

Seek medical care right away if you have an erection that lasts more than 4 hours. If you have questions about sexual side effects while taking trazodone oral tablet, talk with your doctor.

Drowsiness

Drowsiness was the most common side effect reported in studies of trazodone oral tablet. Some people experience a relaxed feeling or mild daytime sleepiness. Others experience excessive sleepiness and have trouble staying awake.

Some people get used to this effect, and it gets better with time.

Ways to manage

Donot drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how trazodone oral tablet affects you. If you have trouble with drowsiness, your doctor may recommend taking most of your daily dose at bedtime.

Allergic reaction

For some people, trazodone oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.

Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:

• itchiness
• skin rash
• swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to trazodone oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Warnings for trazodone

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking trazodone oral tablet.

Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Trazodone has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Side effects of trazodone in detail” section above.

Other warnings

It may not be safe for you to take trazodone oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether trazodone oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking trazodone oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:

• past allergic reaction to trazodone
• bipolar disorder, mania, and hypomania
• blood cell problems, such as sickle cell disease, anemia, multiple myeloma, and leukemia
• glaucoma, due to possibly triggering a closed-angle glaucoma episode
• heart disease, including heart rhythm problems or a recent heart attack
• electrolyte problems, including low potassium levels or low magnesium levels
• problems with your penis, such as scarring or Peyronie’s disease (bending of the penis)
• taking other medications that could interact with trazodone, which may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome (high levels of serotonin in the body)
• taking blood thinners, including aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), warfarin, and other anticoagulants

Trazodone and pregnancy

It’s not known whether trazodone oral tablet is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking trazodone. Together, you can decide whether you should continue taking the drug during pregnancy.

If you take trazodone during pregnancy, you’re encouraged to enroll in the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants. You can do so by visiting this website or calling 866-961-2388. This registry monitors the outcomes in people who take an antidepressant during pregnancy.

Trazodone and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether trazodone oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. They’ll help you weigh the options and determine a safe way to feed your child that’s right for you.

Trazodone and alcohol

Trazodone oral tablet is known to interact with alcohol.

Alcohol can worsen side effects of trazodone oral tablet. These include dizziness, drowsiness (sleepiness), and difficulty thinking. Due to this risk, it’s recommended that you do not drink alcohol while taking trazodone oral tablet.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with trazodone oral tablet.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of trazodone oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Does my medical history increase my risk of side effects from trazodone oral tablet?
• Will the side effects of trazodone oral tablet lessen over time?
• How do the side effects of trazodone oral tablet compare with those of other antidepressants?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.