Trazodone oral medication: Potential side effects, application for insomnia, and further details

What is trazodone oral capsule?

Trazodone oral tablet: Side effects, application for insomnia, and further details

Trazodone is a commonly prescribed generic medication. It's approved by the FDA to manage major depressive disorder (MDD) in adult patients. MDD is often referred to as simply depression.

To delve deeper, refer to the "Trazodone oral capsule for depression" segment below.

Medication information

Trazodone falls under the category of antidepressants. More specifically, it's a type known as a serotonin receptor antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI).

Trazodone for major depressive disorder

Trazodone is available in oral capsule form. There are four potencies to choose from: 50 milligrams (mg), 100 mg, 150 mg, and a high-strength 300 mg option.

Non-brand versions

Form

Trazodone currently doesn't have any brand-name counterparts. Desyrel was the branded version of trazodone, but it's no longer in production.

oral tablet

A generic medication is essentially an identical version of the active ingredient in a brand-name drug. Desyrel was the original drug based on which trazodone was developed. However, Desyrel is now unavailable.

Generics are regarded as being just as safe and effective as their brand-name predecessors. They tend to be more economical as well.

Strengths

To learn more about generics contrasted with brand-name medications, see this resource.

• 50 milligrams (mg)• 100 mg• 150 mg• 300 mg

Trazodone oral capsule side effects

Trazodone might lead to minor or severe side effects. The following summarizes some of the potential side effects linked to trazodone usage. Keep in mind that this list isn't exhaustive.

Dose

When it comes to more information about trazodone's side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist. They can provide guidance on managing any side effects that prove troublesome or annoying.

• starts at 150 mg per day• may be increased by 50 mg per day every 3 or 4 days until the desired effect is achieved

Note: The FDA scrutinizes the side effects of drugs they approve. If you'd like to report a side effect you've experienced while using trazodone, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

How often

Here is a select list of mild side effects associated with trazodone. For additional mild side effects, confer with your doctor or pharmacist, or consult trazodone's "prescribing information".

in divided doses, usually twice daily

Mild side effects of trazodone can include:

impaired vision
digestive issues, such as constipation, diarrhea, or nausea and vomiting
dizziness
drowsiness
tiredness
headache
sleepiness
nasal congestion
swelling, predominantly in the limbs or feet
tremors
weight loss
mild allergic reaction*

Administered by

Most of these side effects usually subside within a few days to a couple of weeks. If they persist or intensify, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

self

Severe side effects

Severe side effects from trazodone are uncommon, but they can occur. Contact your doctor promptly if you experience severe side effects. Contact 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms appear life-threatening or if you believe you're experiencing a medical emergency.

Severe side effects may include:

fluctuations in blood pressure, which could be elevated or decreased
low sodium levels in the blood
orthostatic hypotension (sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing), which might result in fainting
serotonin syndrome (a condition caused by excessive levels of a brain chemical called serotonin)
QT prolongation (an abnormal heart rhythm pattern)
enhanced risk of severe bleeding, such as persistent nosebleeds
sexual side effects*
an augmented risk of suicidal thoughts and actions*
severe allergic reaction**

Medication type or medication name

*Allergic reactionAs is the case with most drugs, some individuals may experience an allergic reaction* after taking trazodone. This was an infrequent side effect observed in clinical trials of this medication.

Medication examples

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

skin rash
itchiness
flushing

monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

A more severe allergic reaction is less common but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

• phenelzine (Nardil)• selegiline (Emsam)• isocarboxazid (Marplan)

swelling beneath the skin, typically in the eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
swelling of the tongue, mouth, or throat
difficulty breathing

In the event of an allergic reaction to trazodone, reach out to your doctor immediately. If your symptoms appear life-threatening or if you believe you're experiencing a medical emergency, contact 911 or your local emergency number.

triptans

Trazodone oral capsule side effects in males vs. females

• rizatriptan (Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT)• eletriptan (Relpax)• sumatriptan (Imitrex, Tosymra)

Most side effects of trazodone should be indistinguishable between males and females using the medication. For lists of potential side effects, refer to the "Trazodone oral capsule side effects" section above.

However, in rare cases, trazodone might cause side effects that are peculiar to females. These include premature or missed menstrual cycles.

tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)

Furthermore, trazodone might lead to sexual side effects that differ between males and females. For more details, see "Sexual side effects" below.

• amitriptyline• nortriptyline (Pamelor)• desipramine (Norpramin)

Note: Sex and gender exist on a spectrum. When using the terms "female" and "male" in this article, they refer to the sexes assigned at birth.

In addition, trazodone might lead to reverse ejaculation in males. During ejaculation, normally, semen leaves the body through the penis. However, in reverse ejaculation, semen moves backward through the penis and enters the bladder instead.

serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

Other sexual side effects associated with trazodone, although not reported in clinical trials, have been observed since the drug's approval. These may include prolonged, painful erections in males (known as priapism) and extended, painful erections in females (clitorism).

• duloxetine (Cymbalta, Drizalma Sprinkle)• venlafaxine (Effexor XR)• desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)

Being concerned about sexual side effects related to trazodone? Speak with your healthcare provider. They can assess your risk for these side effects and recommend strategies to handle them if they emerge.

Frequently Asked Questions about Trazodone oral tablet

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Here are responses to commonly asked questions about trazodone.

• sertraline (Zoloft)• citalopram (Celexa)• escitalopram (Lexapro)

Is it possible to administer trazodone to dogs?

Yes, it's plausible.

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

A veterinarian may prescribe trazodone for use in dogs. Do not, however, administer any medication to a dog that hasn't been specifically prescribed for it. Provide trazodone only if it's been prescribed by a veterinarian.

• ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)• naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)• aspirin

To learn more about trazodone's use for dogs, consult your pet's veterinarian.

Is trazodone considered a controlled substance?

blood thinners

No, trazodone is not a controlled substance.

• warfarin (Jantoven)• apixaban (Eliquis)• rivaroxaban (Xarelto)

A controlled substance (often referred to as a "narcotic") is a medication with the potential for misuse or addiction. If misused, a drug is used other than how it was prescribed. If addicted, your body functions dependent on the drug.

Controlled substances are managed by the federal government due to these risks, requiring doctors to adhere to specific guidelines when prescribing them. However, such regulations do not apply to trazodone.

antiplatelets

How does trazodone compare to other similar drugs such as mirtazapine (Remeron) or alprazolam (Xanax)?

• ticagrelor (Brilinta)• clopidogrel (Plavix)• prasugrel (Effient)

Trazodone is approved to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), often called depression. It's a form of antidepressant. Specifically, the drug is a serotonin receptor antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARIs).

Other types of antidepressants, used for depression, include:

antipsychotics

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like sertraline (Zoloft) and escitalopram (Lexapro)
serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), like venlafaxine (Effexor XR) and duloxetine (Cymbalta)
norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs), such as bupropion (Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL)
tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as nortriptyline (Pamelor) or tetracyclic antidepressant like mirtazapine (Remeron)

• ziprasidone (Geodon)• chlorpromazine• thioridazine

To learn more about how trazodone compares with these drugs, discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist. They can assist you in determining whether trazodone or another medication is best suited for you.

In addition to depression, trazodone may also be utilized off-label for other conditions. Off-label drug use is when an FDA-approved drug is prescribed for a use not authorized by the FDA.

barbiturates

For example, trazodone may be used off-label for anxiety or insomnia. If you're interested in learning about treatments for these conditions, consult your doctor. They can inform you about trazodone's comparison with alternative treatments for these uses, such as alprazolam (Xanax), gabapentin (Gralise, Horizant), and the supplement melatonin.

• phenobarbital (Sezaby)• butalbital• pentobarbital (Nembutal)

Can trazodone be prescribed for anxiety or bipolar disorder?

Trazodone is not approved for treating anxiety or bipolar disorder. It's only authorized for major depressive disorder (MDD), commonly known as depression.

benzodiazepines

However, doctors may prescribe trazodone off-label for anxiety. Off-label drug use is when a drug is prescribed for a purpose other than what it's approved for. To learn more about trazodone's off-label use for anxiety, speak with your doctor.

• alprazolam (Xanax)• clonazepam (Klonopin)• lorazepam (Ativan)

Bear in mind that trazodone is not suggested for bipolar disorder treatment. This is because trazodone might trigger mania or hypomania in persons with bipolar disorder. Mania or hypomania is characterized by high energy and excitement episodes. Before taking trazodone, inform your doctor if you have bipolar disorder. They may recommend a different treatment option for you.

Due to the potential risks associated with withdrawal symptoms, it's crucial to cease utilizing trazodone only if your healthcare provider advises it's secure to do so. Once they deem it suitable, your physician might gradually decrease your trazodone dosage over an extended period. This measure may help reduce the likelihood of withdrawal symptoms upon halting the medication.

certain heart rhythm drugs

Is trazodone responsible for weight gain?

• quinidine• amiodarone (Nexterone, Pacerone)• sotalol (Betapace, Sorine, others)

In uncommon instances, trazodone might lead to weight gain. Nonetheless, in clinical trials, weight loss more often transpired compared to weight gain when utilizing this drug.

Keep in mind that weight variations are a prevalent symptom of depression, which trazodone is prescribed to manage. As your depression symptoms improve, you may witness weight gain. Trazodone itself might not necessarily induce weight gain.

certain antifungals

If you have queries regarding weight alterations with trazodone, engage in a discussion with your physician.

• itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura)• ketoconazole

Trazodone oral tablet employed for sleeping difficulties

Trazodone is not authorized to treat insomnia. Insomnia refers to trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.

certain seizure drugs

Remember that trazodone might be prescribed off-label for sleep issues. Off-label medication use entails an FDA-approved drug being prescribed for purposes other than its approved application.

• phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)• carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, others)

If you have questions regarding taking trazodone to deal with sleep problems, consult with your doctor. They can provide you with information about the drug's use for this condition, including its dosage for sleep and the maximum dose for sleep. They can also share insights about how long you usually sleep post-taking the drug for this purpose.

Trazodone oral tablet dosage

certain antibiotics

The dosage recommended by your physician will be influenced by several factors. These may include the severity of the condition you're treating with trazodone and other medications you consume.

• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)• clarithromycin

Frequently, your physician will initiate you on a low dosage. Then, they'll progressively increase it to achieve the optimal level for you. Ultimately, your physician will prescribe the minimum dosage required to produce the desired effect.

The following information outlines commonly used or recommended dosages. However, adhere to the dosage your physician prescribes for you. They will determine the appropriate dosage based on your individual needs.

certain opioids

Dosage for major depressive disorder (depression)

• fentanyl (Actiq, Fentora, others)• tramadol (Conzip, Qdolo)

The following dosage information pertains to major depressive disorder.

| | || --- | --- || Trazodone for major depressive disorder | || Form | oral tablet || Strengths | • 50 mg (milligrams)• 100 mg• 150 mg• 300 mg || Dose | • initially 150 mg per day• may be incremented by 50 mg per day every 3 or 4 days until the desired effect is achieved || Frequency | usually divided into two doses, administered twice daily || Self-administered | yes |

digoxin (Lanoxin)

In certain instances, your physician may prescribe a lower dosage of trazodone, such as 25 mg per day. If you have queries about the appropriate dosage for your condition, speak with your physician.

—

The maximum dosage of trazodone varies depending on where the drug is prescribed.

If you grapple with severe or prolonged symptoms of depression, your physician may recommend hospitalization or admission to a depression treatment center. When trazodone is prescribed in a treatment facility, the maximum recommended dose is 600 mg per day.

lithium (Lithobid)

When trazodone is prescribed for use outside of a treatment facility, such as at home, the maximum recommended dose is 400 mg per day.

—

If I miss a dose

In the event that you miss a dose of trazodone, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it's nearly time for your next dose, forego the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular scheduled time.

buspirone

You should not double the dose of trazodone to compensate for a missed dose. Doing so may increase your risk of side effects from the drug.

—

To minimize your likelihood of missing a dose, consider using a medication reminder. This could encompass setting an alarm or employing a timer. Alternatively, download a reminder app on your phone.

Will I need to take this medication long-term?

diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

Trazodone can serve as a long-term treatment option. If you and your physician determine that trazodone is both safe and effective for you, you'll likely continue using it in the long term.

—

Trazodone isn't authorized by the FDA for use in minors. Clinical trials solely involved adults, and it's not fully understood if the drug is safe or effective for children.

Trazodone Oral Tablet Interactions

Trazodone may interfere with various medications and certain supplements. Different interactions can bring about different effects. Some interactions might affect the drug's efficacy, while others could intensify side effects or make them more severe. Drug-condition interactions can also produce specific effects. For information about these interactions, review the "Trazodone Oral Tablet Precautions" section below.

Trazodone and Other Medications

Cause of interaction

Before starting trazodone, consult your doctor and pharmacist. Let them know about all your prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements. Also, mention any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Examples

The table below lists medications that can interact with trazodone. This list is not exhaustive.

| | || --- | --- || Medication type or medication name | Medication examples || Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) | • phenelzine (Nardil)• selegiline (Emsam)• isocarboxazid (Marplan) || Tryptans | • rizatriptan (Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT)• eletriptan (Relpax)• sumatriptan (Imitrex, Tosymra) || Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) | • amitriptyline• nortriptyline (Pamelor)• desipramine (Norpramin) || Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) | • duloxetine (Cymbalta, Drizalma Sprinkle)• venlafaxine (Effexor XR)• desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) || Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) | • sertraline (Zoloft)• citalopram (Celexa)• escitalopram (Lexapro) || Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) | • ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)• naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)• aspirin || Blood thinners | • warfarin (Jantoven)• apixaban (Eliquis)• rivaroxaban (Xarelto) || Antiplatelets | • ticagrelor (Brilinta)• clopidogrel (Plavix)• prasugrel (Effient) || Antipsychotics | • ziprasidone (Geodon)• chlorpromazine• thioridazine || Barbiturates | • phenobarbital (Sezaby)• butalbital• pentobarbital (Nembutal) || Benzodiazepines | • alprazolam (Xanax)• clonazepam (Klonopin)• lorazepam (Ativan) || Certain heart rhythm drugs | • quinidine• amiodarone (Nexterone, Pacerone)• sotalol (Betapace, Sorine, others) || Certain antifungals | • itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura)• ketoconazole || Certain seizure drugs | • phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)• carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, others) || Certain antibiotics | • rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)• clarithromycin || Certain opioids | • fentanyl (Actiq, Fentora, others)• tramadol (Conzip, Qdolo) || Digoxin (Lanoxin) | — || Lithium (Lithobid) | — || Buspirone | — || diphenhydramine (Benadryl) | — |

herbs and supplements

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about the interactions between these medications and trazodone. If you have questions about any drug interactions that may affect you, your doctor or pharmacist can address those as well.

St. John’s wort

Other Interactions

Other types of interactions, such as those with herbs, supplements, foods, lab tests, and vaccines, may also occur with the use of trazodone. The following table lists some of these interactions.

| | || --- | --- || Cause of interaction | Examples || herbs and supplements | St. John’s wort |

Your doctor can provide you with details about these interactions with trazodone.

Trazodone Oral Tablet and Alcohol

Trazodone is known to interact with alcohol. It’s recommended to avoid drinking alcohol while taking this drug. This is because alcohol can worsen sleepiness or dizziness as side effects of trazodone.

If you have questions about avoiding alcohol during trazodone treatment, talk with your doctor.

How to Take Trazodone Oral Tablet

You should take trazodone according to the instructions your doctor gives you.

Swallow trazodone as a pill.

When to consume

You'll likely consume trazodone twice a day. Give each dose a 12-hour gap between them.

Taking the medication at around the same time each day maintains a consistent level of the drug in your body, improving its effectiveness.

To prevent missing a dose, use a medication reminder. This could be setting an alarm, using a timer, or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Labels and containers

If your prescription label is hard to read, communicate with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a scannable code that converts text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn't offer these options, your doctor or pharmacist may guide you to one that does.

If you have trouble opening medication bottles, consult your pharmacist about having trazodone placed in an easy-open container. They might also suggest tools to assist with opening lids.

Eating with trazodone

Consume trazodone with food. Take the drug after eating a light snack or a full meal.

Crushing, splitting, or chewing trazodone tablets

You should not crush or chew trazodone tablets. However, you can split them in half using the score line printed on the tablets.

If you have difficulty swallowing trazodone tablets, discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist.

Duration of trazodone in your system

Trazodone likely remains in your system for up to 2.5 days.

This is based on trazodone's half-life. (A drug's half-life is the time it takes for your body to eliminate half of a dose.) Trazodone's half-life ranges between about 4 and 12 hours. This means it takes about 4 to 12 hours for your body to eliminate half of a trazodone dose.

Typically, it takes about five half-lives for a drug to completely leave your system. For trazodone, this means it stays in your system for about 20 to 60 hours.

Trazodone oral tablet and older adults

Trazodone is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults of any age. MDD is also known as depression.

The side effects of trazodone in adults aged 65 years and older are similar to those in younger adults. However, older adults may have an increased risk of developing a low blood sodium level as a side effect.

Keep in mind that older adults may have health conditions that affect how their bodies respond to trazodone. These may include kidney or liver problems, such as kidney failure or liver failure. These conditions could increase an older adult's risk of side effects from trazodone.

For this reason, doctors may recommend a lower dose of trazodone for older adults than for younger adults.

If you have questions about whether age may impact your risk of side effects with trazodone, talk with your doctor.

Trazodone oral tablet and pregnancy or breastfeeding

Below is important information about taking trazodone while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Trazodone and pregnancy

It's not known for certain whether trazodone is safe to take while pregnant. However, reports of its use during pregnancy have not shown any harm to a fetus or pregnant person.

If you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk with your doctor before taking trazodone. They can recommend whether it's safe to take the drug during pregnancy.

If you take trazodone while pregnant, consider enrolling in the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants. This registry collects information about the safety of antidepressants, including trazodone, when used during pregnancy. This helps doctors and researchers better understand whether the drug is safe to use while pregnant.

To enroll in this registry, talk with your doctor. You can call 866-961-2388 or visit the registry's site.

Trazodone and breastfeeding

Trazodone passes into breast milk. It's not known for certain whether the drug is safe to take while breastfeeding. However, reports of its use during breastfeeding have not shown any side effects in breastfed children.

If you're breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking trazodone. They can discuss with you the risks and benefits of breastfeeding during trazodone treatment. Your doctor can also suggest other healthy ways to feed a child.

Trazodone and birth control

It's not known if trazodone is safe to take during pregnancy. If you're sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while using trazodone.

For more information about taking trazodone during pregnancy, see the “Trazodone and pregnancy” above.

Potential for suicidal thoughts and actions. Some medications, like trazodone, might boost the likelihood of suicidal ideas and actions in specific individuals. This applies to both adults and individuals aged 24 years or younger. However, trazodone isn't approved for use in individuals under 18 years old.

Suicidal thoughts and actions weren't reported during trazodone's clinical trials. It's not definitively proven whether trazodone raises this risk. Nevertheless, to ensure safety, keep an eye out for the following signs while taking the drug:

thoughts of death
feeling despondent or melancholic
mood shifts, such as agitation or irritability
new or intensified depression or anxiety

Remember that suicidal thoughts and actions can be symptoms of depression. Trazodone is used to treat depression. So, determining whether your symptoms are due to trazodone or the condition you're taking it to manage can be challenging.

If you experience suicidal thoughts or actions while on trazodone, contact your doctor immediately. They might prescribe a different medication or alter your treatment plan with trazodone. However, if you have thoughts of self-harm, contact 911 or your local emergency number right away.

Help is accessible

If you or someone you know is in crisis, contemplating suicide or self-harm, please seek assistance:

Contact or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for free and confidential support 24/7 from caring counselors.
Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to talk with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
If you're not in the United States, find a helpline in your country through Befrienders Worldwide.
Dial 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you're calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove potentially harmful objects or substances if you can do so safely.

If you're not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Additional precautions

Besides the boxed warning mentioned above, trazodone has additional warnings.

Consider discussing the following medical conditions or other health factors with your doctor before taking trazodone:

if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant
if you're breastfeeding or considering breastfeeding
if you've had an allergic reaction to the drug or its components
if you have an irregular heartbeat or risk factors for this condition, such as low blood levels of potassium or magnesium
if you've recently had a heart attack
if you have bipolar disorder
if you have narrow angles (an eye condition where your iris and cornea are closer than usual)
if you have a kidney or liver issue, such as kidney failure or liver failure

Note: For more information about potential adverse effects of trazodone, see the “Trazodone oral tablet side effects” section above.

Trazodone oral tablet cost

The cost of trazodone, like any medication, can vary. The actual price you'll pay depends on your insurance plan, location, and pharmacy.

Keep in mind that you might be eligible for a 90-day supply of trazodone. If your insurance company approves this, it could reduce your pharmacy visits and help lower costs. If you're interested in this option, speak with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance company.

Before approving coverage for trazodone, your insurance company might require prior authorization. This means your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company covers the drug. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and make a decision about coverage.

If you're unsure if you'll need prior authorization for trazodone, contact your insurance company.

Financial and insurance assistance

Financial aid to help you pay for trazodone might be available.

Medicine Assistance Tool and NeedyMeds are two websites offering resources that might help decrease your out-of-pocket cost for trazodone. They also provide tools to help you find low-cost healthcare and educational resources. To learn more, visit their sites.

Mail-order pharmacies

Trazodone might be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this service might help lower the drug's cost and allow you to get your medication without leaving home.

If your doctor recommends it, you might be able to receive a 90-day supply of trazodone, reducing concerns about running out of the medication. If you're interested in this option, speak with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance company. Some Medicare plans might help cover the cost of mail-order medications.

If you don't have insurance, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist about online pharmacy options.

tirednessvomiting up the contents of your stomachirregular heartbeat, like prolonged QT interval.*convulsionspainful, prolonged erection, known as **priapismcessation of breathing, a condition called respiratory arrest**

What to do in case of an overdose

If you suspect you've taken too much of this drug, reach out to your doctor. You can also contact the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use their online resource. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number, or head straight to the nearest emergency room.

Trazodone oral tablet expiration, storage, and disposal

When you obtain trazodone from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will stamp an expiration date on the medication bottle's label. This date usually falls 1 year after the medication was dispensed.

The expiration date guarantees the medication remains effective during that time. The FDA advises against using expired meds. If you have leftover meds beyond the expiration date, talk to your pharmacist about potential usage.

Storage

Medication shelf life can depend on various factors, including storage conditions.

Store trazodone tablets at a room temperature of 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). You can temporarily store the tablets at a temperature of 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C), such as during travel. Make sure to keep the drug in a tightly sealed container away from light. Avoid storing this medication in moisture-prone areas like bathrooms.

Disposal

Disposing of unused trazodone is crucial to prevent misuse by others, including children and pets. It helps protect the environment as well.

This source offers valuable suggestions on medication disposal. You can also ask your pharmacist for advice on discarding your medication.

Disclaimer:Medical News Today has made every effort to ensure factual accuracy, comprehensive information, and timeliness. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for a healthcare professional's knowledge and expertise. Always consult your doctor or other healthcare provider before taking any medication. The information provided about drugs 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.

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