trazodone

[beatle37]

Hi,
   My doctor has prescribed me 50 mg of Trazadone does it really work for sleeping and do I really need 50 mg 25mg should be enough? Also does it make you feel like your drunk?

[greenlydia]

God, it really never ceases to amaze me what doctors prescribe for people these days!
You went to your doc complaining that you weren't sleeping well and he prescribed TRAZODONE? (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
This drug is prescribed for depression, NOT as a sleep aid. It's other, unlabeled uses are............get this...............chronic pain, cocaine withdrawl and AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR. So, unless you told him you were depressed due to cocaine withdrawl, had chronic pain and were beating the **** out of your b/f because HE could sleep and you couldn't, then, in my humble opinion, I think he should have tried you on a few nights of Ambien or one of the new class of sleep aids that are non-narcotic and non-addictive. You could have even tried one of the OTC sleep aids...........Tylenol or Excedrin PM have worked for me when I haven't been sleeping well. You asked if the side effect of this drug makes you feel drunk. Let me tell you just SOME of the side effects of this drug.........Dizziness, confusion, headache, ANXIETY, tremors, stimulation, weakness, INSOMNIA (HELLLLLO) nightmares and last but certainly not least, an increase in psychiatric symptoms! Oh, yes, drowsiness IS mentioned, but ONLY as a SIDE EFFECT! So, do you really want to take this rather nasty pill and HOPE you hit on the side effect of "drowsiness" so you can perhaps sleep? If I was you, and you should probably be aware that I am a hot head, I would take that bottle of **** to my doc and throw it at him! I would DEMAND to know why he put me on such a horrid med for sleeping, when there so many other choices. Sheesh. Just blows me away. Find another care giver! You do not need DR.FEELGOOD. Good luck and let us know what happens.
Greenlydia  
  

[Jade59]

AMEN!!!!!

[kevinb529]

One of the "off-label" indications for trazodone is for insomnia.  This drug is an antidepressant which, in low doses, has been found to be effective in treating insomnia.  The dosage is normally 25mg - 50mg at bedtime.  The other "non-narcotic" sleep aids mentioned above have the potential for physical and psychological dependency (Ambien, Lunesta, and Sonata).  These "non-narcotics" work similarly to Valium by binding to specific receptors in the brain.  They all produce dependency.  Trazodone does not produce dependency and has been used by many people with sleep difficulties.

[Summer123]

I was prescribed trazadone a long, long time ago.  I am on 150 mg (have known others on 300, 450 and 600 mg).  It works for sleep like no other med.  Ambien, Rozerem, etc. do not work for me.  The trazadone doesn't guarantee a good night sleep, but you can at least go to sleep on it.  I have noticed no side effects whatsover and the only problem you may have in discontinuing it is having less sleep.

[beatle37]

Thanks everyone for your input. I tried it last night and it worked. I hope I don't have to stay on this forever. I want to get to the root of why I'm not sleeping (also currently on Zoloft for depression) so I don't if not sleeping is something related to depression or independant. I have a  doctors appt this week so I will ask if there was any other reason other than possible addiction to prescribe Trazodone instead of Ambien . In the meantime I'm going to try to get more Z's so my judgement and decision making skills are in order. Again thanks everyone for your input.

[greenlydia]

I have a few disagreements with you regarding your endorsement of Trazodone. If your problem is insomnia, and ONLY insomnia, why do you, and your doctor, feel an anti-depressant is the better choice? If a drugs main "action" is listed for depression and NOT insomnia, then I think you need to re-evaluate your choice. If you take Trazodone for any length of time, you will need to taper off it, you can't just quit. While you are correct in stating that Ambien and Lunesta DO have a potential for dependency WITH ABUSE, both drugs are prescribed for SHORT TERM USE ONLY. When your hopefully short term insomnia episode has passed, you can safely just quit either the Ambien or the Lunesta. You can't do that with Trazodone. And Trazodone can take up to four WEEKS to reach it's theraputic level. Ambien and Lunesta work tonight.  You say that Ambien and Lunesta work by binding to specific receptors in the brain. And Fluoxetine inhibits CNS neuron uptake of serotonin.
Since you seemed to have already made your mind up to take the Fluoxetine, why did you bother to ask us what we thought?
Sweet dreams.
Greenlydia

[greenlydia]

Hey.........REALLY sorry for the lambast that was intended for kevinb529!
One of the first side effects listed for Zoloft is isomnia. So your doc has put you on yet another anti-depressant that has, as a "possible" side effect, drowsiness. I maintane my stance that you are being given a stew of meds you probably don't need. I hope you talk to your doctor about this, as only he/she can explain their reasoning for this "over-medicating."
The choice remains yours but I urge you to do some research.
Again, I apologize for posting to you in error.
Greenlydia

[Summer123]

Where do you get your information?  You do not have to taper off trazadone.  You can quit it abruptly.  I guess you could taper it to make sure that you don't lose any sleep.

[greenlydia]

After long term use of Trazodone you are advised not to discontinue medication quickly as it can cause nausea, headaches and malaise. I did not mean to suggest that it was as difficult or dangerous as, say, Xanax.

I get my information at the hospital I work at. Where do you get yours?  

[Summer123]

from my dr.

[greenlydia]

And he is a psychiatrist and a pharmacist as well?

[beatle37]

Hi There,
            When I called my doctor and left a message with the nurse on my problem with sleeping I did mention Ambien or Lunesta based on research I found on the internet. My doctor's nurse called back and told me that they were calling in Trazodone I was like okay whatever as long as I can sleep,but when I looked up Trazodone I didn't see it as something that was normally used for sleep. That's why I sent out the post to get input. I also talked to my sister-inlaw a doctor who wanted to also know why I wasn't prescribed Ambien because that what's she prescribes her heart patients. Like I said I have an appointment with the doc on Wednesday so I will ask her why. I'll keep everyone posted again thanks a bunch for the input.

[RCA7591]

"One of the "off-label" indications for trazodone is for insomnia.  This drug is an antidepressant which, in low doses, has been found to be effective in treating insomnia.  The dosage is normally 25mg - 50mg at bedtime.  The other "non-narcotic" sleep aids mentioned above have the potential for physical and psychological dependency (Ambien, Lunesta, and Sonata).  These "non-narcotics" work similarly to Valium by binding to specific receptors in the brain.  They all produce dependency.  Trazodone does not produce dependency and has been used by many people with sleep difficulties."

^quote

The above is the correct answer, with the exception of the last sentence. When used over a prolonged period of time, Desyrel (Trazodone) will lead to rebound insomnia if it is discontinued abruptly. In that sense, it does produce a limited physical dependency.  The same could be said for Diphenhydramine (the active ingredient found in many OTC sleep aids, aka: Benadryl).

Desyrel possesses potent anticholinergic properties, and in that regard, is similar to Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and other antihistimines. Agents that possess anticholinergic properties are sedating.

While Desyrel was originally classified as an antidepressant, it is rarely used for its trivial antidepressnt effect. It has rather poor affinity for the 5-HT (Serotonin) system, with the exception of 5-HT2. The most common use of Desyrel, is in fact, insomnia.

In short, there is no issue with using low dosages (25-100 mg) of Desyrel for insomnia. Ambien, Lunesta, and other "Non-Benzodiazepine" hypnotics are no better than Benzodiazepines, and are actually worse due to their shorter halve-lives. Rapid tolerance develops to such agents, rendering them useless within a very short period of time.. Like the short-acting Benzodiazepines (Ativan, Restoril, Serax, Xanax), tolerance and loss of efficacy is typical. The hypnotics should not be used for longer than a week or so, as to prevent severe rebound insomnia. Ideally, they shouldn't be used at all. Both the Benzodiazepines and Non-Benzodiazepine hypnotics agonize the neurotransmitter GABA(a). Their modes of action are very similar, and they are cross-tolerant with one another.

Atarax (50 mg), Benadryl (50 mg), Desyrel (25-50 mg), and Phenergan (25-50 mg) are four safe options for insomnia.

~Ryan

[beatle37]

Thank you for this information

[Jennifer375]

My,,, I didnt realize that someone called in the pharmacudical brigade. I am very glad really to see its here, particulary since the 'less is best dont sell **** if it can hurt as many as it helps" group is clearly represented. Thankyou Greenlady for arriving, I hope many like you with your knowlege can help sway some hearts.

*Bows in respect and apprication to all for your willingness to engage*

[kevinb529]

Why did you find yourself in a position to want to "lambaste" me?  I think you take yourself much too seriously.