Trazodone Guide: Uses, Side Effects, Dosage & Warnings

02/12/2026

What is trazodone used for? 

Trazodone is sold under the brand name Desyrel and belongs to the drug class known as antidepressants. This medication is available only with a prescription and should be used as advised by the doctor. This is an oral tablet, which is swallowed with water and should not be broken, chewed, or crushed. This medication is accessible in many strengths, ranging from 50 mg to 300 mg oral tablets. The treatment usually begins with the lowest strengths, which may go up in the future as needed. 

The primary use of this medication is to treat major depressive disorder, a common mental health condition that affects a myriad of people globally. This medication works as a serotonin modulator, which, as a result, helps in regulating mood, improving energy levels, and managing appetite. In order to treat this condition, this medication functions by increasing the levels of a natural chemical in the brain called serotonin.

Key uses of Trazodone tablets:

Major depressive disorder: This medication is primarily prescribed for the management of major depressive disorder, as mentioned above. It operates by balancing neurotransmitters in the brain.

Insomnia: This medication is also used to treat insomnia in adults as an off-label treatment to help people fall asleep without any hurdles. It is often seen as the best option over sedatives due to the lower risk of side effects.

Anxiety disorder: This medication is also prescribed to treat anxiety as an off-label treatment to manage symptoms associated with anxiety, but in combination with other therapies. 

Are there any side effects of using the Trazodone tablet?

Side effects of  Trazodone are bifurcated into two broad categories based on severity: common and serious. Common side effects of this medication tend to occur in the first few days of the treatment and usually wear off on their own once the body builds stability for it. If these side effects become bothersome or start affecting your day-to-day routine, you are requested to let your doctor know about them. Common side effects are mild and more likely to occur in people who start treatment at a higher dosage. The common side effects of Trazodone are as follows:

• Swelling

• Blurred vision

• Diarrhea

• Stuffy nose

• Weight loss

• Dizziness

• Sleepiness or tiredness

In addition to the above, serious side effects of this medication are reported in rare instances, but they cannot be eliminated entirely. Therefore, you are required to watch out for serious side effects, and if you experience any of them, seek immediate medical help. If medical attention is not sought at the right times, these serious side effects might exacerbate and bring about other complications, too. The list below is not the complete list of side effects. Hence, if you experience anything in addition to the side effects listed below, kindly talk to your doctor at your earliest convenience. 

Allergic reactions: Breathing problems or wheezing, racing heart, fever or swollen lymph nodes, general ill feeling, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, trouble swallowing or throat tightness, itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives nausea or vomiting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting, stomach cramps, joint pain

Serotonin syndrome:  Sweating, fever, or flushing, confusion, feeling agitated or restless, seeing or hearing unusual things, dizziness, fast or racing heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, muscle twitching, stiffness, or tremor, seizures 

Heart rhythm changes: This mechanism can also result in a heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation, but this is also one of the rare side effects. Certain people ae at higher risk of developing it, especially those who are over 65, have a family history of it, and have low levels of potassium and magnesium. 

Warnings and precautions associated with Trazodone tablets:

While using Trazodone for depression, you are requested to abide by the warnings and precautions stated below. These preventive measures will help you achieve the best possible results during treatment while reducing the risk of unwanted complications. Therefore, adherence to these guidelines is crucial to get the utmost results from this medication. If used ignorantly, it increases your chances of going through side effects and may exacerbate existing symptoms. 

Allergic to ingredients:

Before you start taking this medication, you are requested to have a look at the label of the medication. The label of the medication contains all the information related to the ingredients of this medication. If you have a known allergy to any of its active or inactive ingredients, please let your doctor know about it. If used despite being allergic to it, it may induce a severe allergic reaction, worsening your mental health. 

Drug interactions:

It is indispensable to tell your doctor about all the medications you may be taking, including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal products, as this will help your medic determine the safety of this drug for you. Additionally, this medication can easily interact with other medications, which may, as a result, affect its potency and efficacy, increasing the chances of side effects and delayed treatment.

Coordination and alertness:

The use of this medication can significantly interfere with your alertness and coordination. Therefore, you are requested to avoid activities that may require full coordination and mental alertness, such as driving and operating heavy machinery. This medication can make you feel sleepy and tired, and for this reason, you should avoid such activities.

Treatment duration:

The dosage and treatment duration are different for everyone and depend on the severity of the disorder. Hence, you are requested to meet your healthcare provider to know your correct duration and dosage. In addition to this, you are advised to follow the treatment duration to get the full effects of this medication. If you quit treatment in between or prematurely, you are at a higher risk of developing withdrawal symptoms.

Dosage of Trazodone tablets:

As listed above, the correct dosage of this medication will be determined by your medical professional based on your age, sex, severity of the disorder, etc. Hence, it is important to see a doctor to find the correct dosage along with treatment duration. This medication is prescribed after reviewing your health and medical history thoroughly to prevent unwanted side effects. In children, this medication shouldn’t be used to manage depression or anxiety due to the increased risk of side effects. Trazodone dosage for depression is indicated below:

Trazodone initial dose: The initial dose for depression is 150 mg orally per day in divided dosages. However, the dosage might be increased gradually as needed. The doctor may increase the dosage by 50 mg per day every three to four days.

Trazodone maximum dose: The maximum dose for inpatients is 600 mg/day, and for outpatients, 400 mg/day.

The takeaway:

Depression is recognized as a mood disorder that often induces a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms.  It is also known by other names, such as disorder and clinical depression. This condition holds the potential to affect how you think, feel, and behave. It may sometimes induce feelings that may be risky for life, such as suicidal thoughts and self-harm. It is not just a bout of the blues, it is a persistent feeling of sadness without any obvious cause. You can’t snap out of it instantly; it requires long-term treatment. Seeking medical attention can help you deal with the condition. Treatments like medications and psychotherapy are effective in most cases, saving your life from a permanent dent. Trazodone has already helped millions of customers, and it can help you too. Don’t let this sense of sadness stop you from becoming the person you have always dreamed of.