Trazodone
Trazodone is an antidepressant also taken for insomnia, sold here as 25mg, 50mg and 100mg tablets under two names: Trazodone and Desyrel.
What trazodone is for
Trazodone is one of the antidepressants. It belongs to the serotonin modulators, medicines that raise the level of serotonin, a natural chemical in the brain that helps keep mood on an even keel. It is used for depression, and it is also commonly taken for insomnia and sometimes for anxiety. Sedation is what makes it double as a sleep medicine, since a single bedtime dose suits people who cannot stay asleep, and it turns up in sleeping pills searches for that reason.
Taking trazodone tablets
For depression the tablets are taken with a meal or a light snack, two or more times a day, at about the same times each day. When the aim is sleep, the whole dose goes at bedtime instead. They can be swallowed whole or broken along the score line if you need half a tablet. Treatment usually begins at a low dose and is stepped up gradually, no more often than every three or four days, and the full effect on mood can take a fortnight or longer to appear. The drowsiness, though, arrives with the first dose. Stopping abruptly brings dizziness, nausea, headache, restlessness and broken sleep, so doses are normally wound down in stages.
Strengths and the two listings
Both products hold the same active ingredient. Trazodone tablets and Desyrel each come as 25mg, 50mg and 100mg tablets. Desyrel is the brand name the medicine was first marketed under; the other listing carries the generic name. Same form, same three strengths, same ingredient, so the choice between them is really about the name on the pack. Which strength is used depends on whether mood or sleep is the target.
Side effects
Drowsiness is the one most people notice, and dry mouth, blurred vision, headache, nausea, constipation and a lightheaded feeling on standing up are all fairly common. A rare but serious effect in men is a prolonged erection; one that lasts more than four hours needs treatment straight away. Trazodone can also disturb heart rhythm, and very rarely it causes serotonin syndrome, with sweating, shivering, agitation and twitching muscles.
Interactions and storage
An MAO inhibitor such as phenelzine or selegiline is not taken alongside trazodone. Other serotonin-raising products, including St John's wort and tryptophan, add to its effects, while alcohol, opioid painkillers and sleeping tablets deepen the sedation. Keep the tablets in their original pack, in a dry place out of direct light.
Sources
- Trazodone: MedlinePlus Drug Information — National Library of Medicine
- Trazodone 50mg Capsules - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) - (emc) | 7186 — UK Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC)
Where can I buy Trazodone in Hong Kong?
Trazodone can be ordered online with delivery to Hong Kong. It is listed as Trazodone tablets and generic Desyrel, both as 25mg, 50mg and 100mg tablets. Every order ships in plain, unbranded packaging with nothing on the outside about the contents.
How are Trazodone prices shown?
It depends on the product, strength and pack size. Each of the two trazodone products listed here shows its current prices in HKD or the currency you select.
Do I need a prescription to order Trazodone?
PockDose does not ask you to upload a prescription when you order trazodone. See the ordering FAQ for details.
What brand names does trazodone have?
Desyrel and Trittico are brand names of trazodone, which is also sold as Molipaxin. Here, trazodone can be bought online as generic Desyrel and trazodone tablets. These are generics, not the original brand.
How long does trazodone take to work?
The drowsiness comes with the first dose, which is why it works as a sleep aid from night one. Its effect on depression builds far more slowly: two weeks or longer before the full benefit is felt, with the dose often raised in steps during that time.
Can I drink alcohol with trazodone?
Alcohol adds to the drowsiness and the lightheaded feeling, and it can leave you unsteady on your feet. One drink is unlikely to cause trouble for most people, but a heavy evening of drinking on the same night as a dose is worth avoiding.
What is the difference between Desyrel and trazodone tablets?
Only the name. Desyrel is the original brand name for trazodone, and both listings here are tablets in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg. The active ingredient, the form and the strengths are identical.
Is trazodone used for sleep?
Yes. It is often taken at night for insomnia as a single dose, and the lower strengths of 25mg and 50mg are the usual starting points. The sedation comes from the same serotonin effect that treats depression, so one medicine can cover both problems.
What happens if I stop trazodone suddenly?
Coming off it in one go can leave you dizzy and sick, with a headache, sweating and several nights of poor sleep. Doses are usually tailed off gradually to avoid that.