Author: Charles Frank

Trazodone Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, & Treatment

These are the result of changes in the brain, especially when it comes to serotonin levels. Horowitz decided to reach out to David Taylor, Ph.D., one of his graduate school mentors. Taylor, a professor of psychopharmacology at King’s College London and director of pharmacy and pathology at the Maudsley Hospital, had done some research into withdrawal following antidepressant discontinuation. Like most drugs, the second phase is the most intense as symptoms tend to peak and then gradually fade. During this time, individuals can experience dizziness, nausea, shakiness, and fever.

But if you’re unable to pay the high cost of your antidepressant subscription, let your doctor know. If your depression symptoms have abated, you are less likely to develop depression in the future. Our addiction treatment specialists are here to assist you in verifying your insurance coverage. In addition, the sedative effects of the drug are attributed to the fact that it has alpha-adrenergic blocking actions and may also affect histamine. Always consult with your doctor if you want to stop taking trazodone, regardless of the reasons why. AddictionResource aims to present the most accurate, trustworthy, and up-to-date medical content to our readers.

The National Institute of Mental Health reports that depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States, with an estimated 17.3 million adults living with depression in 2017. Trazodone is an antidepressant that works by increasing the amount of serotonin in your brain, according to MedlinePlus. You can only obtain trazodone after you have been properly diagnosed and received a prescription from a doctor. Withdrawal refers to the body’s response to the sudden absence or decrease in the dose of a drug, and, according to the FDA, Trazodone withdrawal is possible. In most patients, this does not cause addiction, but physical dependence on the drug is still very much possible, as well as Desyrel adverse reactions in some patients.

Trazodone Withdrawal Help: Timelines, Medications & More

This is especially the case if a person takes trazodone in high doses and for long periods. The combination of the body’s tolerance, the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, and the psychological challenges that arise if the drug is discontinued, make it a difficult medication to stop taking. Trazodone detox is when a patient works with medical staff to safely cleanse their body off the drug and the lingering effects of its use.

Once the worst part of the discontinuation syndrome process is over, the patient can then switch to outpatient treatment for the rest of their detox. Addiction Resource is an educational platform for sharing and disseminating information about addiction and substance abuse recovery centers. Addiction Resource is not a healthcare provider, nor does it claim to offer sound medical advice to anyone. Addiction Resource does not favor or support any specific recovery center, nor do we claim to ensure the quality, validity, or effectiveness of any particular treatment center. No one should assume the information provided on Addiction Resource as authoritative and should always defer to the advice and care provided by a medical doctor. 8 years of nursing experience in wide variety of behavioral and addition settings that include adult inpatient and outpatient mental health services with substance use disorders, and geriatric long-term care and hospice care.

Desyrel discontinuation syndrome effects tend to be mild, but that is not always the case. Dialectical-behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that focuses on mindfulness, how to live in the moment, cope with stress, and improve relationships. DBT also helps clients identify negative influences in their lives and learn how to develop healthy coping skills. This kind of therapy is useful for people who have other mental health conditions like anxiety or mood disorders. DBT is also effective for PTSD and for people who exhibit self-destructive behaviors. It is important to note that if the user is taking the medication with another substance, the withdrawal process and timeline becomes unpredictable.

Through guided therapy, patients learn about issues connected to addiction and relapse. These sessions are designed to promote self-esteem and self-worth while the patient and therapist work together to reinforce positive behavioral changes. Standard outpatient programs are suited to individuals who have just completed an inpatient program and want to continue some form of therapy.

Trazodone is a serotonin modulator that comes with different brand names such as Desyrel and Olpetro. As this drug is useful and effective for the treatment of major depressive disorder and insomnia during alcohol detoxification or recovery, it can also cause withdrawal effects. According to a study, this discontinuation syndrome can be dangerous as it can increase the heart rate by up to 128 beats per minute. However, take note that from person to person, Desyrel withdrawal symptoms can vary. Because of this, users should know what they might experience before they stop the drug and how they can manage the process.

Do You Need To Taper Trazodone?

If withdrawal symptoms last longer than a month, this is referred to as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). The PAWS period differs depending on the drug, but for antidepressants, the effects can even last for up to a year. While the withdrawal symptoms start to lessen during this period, they typically persist for up to 3 or 4 weeks. This can include the same symptoms as the second phase, plus insomnia, fatigue, and irritability.

1. Doing this tapering must be done together with a medical doctor as this professional will be able to reduce the dose of the drug according to what your body can take.
2. In this article, we outline the symptoms of trazodone withdrawal and the timelines for recovery.
3. When this occurs, it can trigger a variety of symptoms that are unpleasant for the user, and in some cases may be dangerous.
4. You can only obtain trazodone after you have been properly diagnosed and received a prescription from a doctor.
5. Short-term inpatient rehab is ideal for individuals who need detoxing and therapy but don’t require long-term treatment.

“If you were put on medication because of a stressful life event, and there’s been sufficient time and treatment that your symptoms have resolved, it may be time to try going without it,” Dr. Coulter says. If you’ve been taking medication to manage your depression, there may come a time when you want to stop using it. But it’s vital that you do so carefully, with the help of a doctor, says psychiatrist Andrew Coulter, MD, MA. He shares considerations for going off your meds and what to be sure to communicate to your doctor. Sometimes, trazodone is prescribed off-label to treat insomnia or schizophrenia.

Ready for a more personal experience with your meds?

To be extra cautious, Horowitz decided to taper his medication over four months. During this process, however, he became blindsided by insomnia, dizziness, anxiety, and panic attacks so severe and persistent that he had to go back to his original antidepressant dose. During rehab, centers and clinics will provide a range of treatments such as medications, counseling, and behavioral therapies.

Exercise is great for improving cardiovascular health, which is especially important following substance abuse. Exercise also stimulates endorphins which can help with depression and low mood. Good forms of exercise include a mix of low and high-intensity exercises such as walking, running, swimming, cycling, or yoga. Depending on your situation, your doctor may prescribe other antidepressants as part of the tapering process. For example, they may substitute a longer-acting antidepressant for a shorter-acting one. However, there are some medications and supplements that have proven to be helpful during the rehabilitation process.

In cases of Desyrel overdose or when the user is experiencing severe discontinuation syndrome, the detox process must be more controlled. When this happens, the detox process will occur in a residential treatment facility. There, drugs that treat discontinuation syndrome symptoms, drug abuse, and addiction can be used at the same time tapering is taking place. The staff will closely monitor vital signs to make sure the patient is safe throughout the process.

Just be sure to communicate that preference to your doctor so they can help you make a safe transition to being medication-free. They may also ask about your openness to trying other methods of treatment for your depression, such as psychotherapy. Our writers and reviewers are experienced professionals in medicine, addiction treatment, and healthcare. AddictionResource fact-checks all the information before publishing and uses only credible and trusted sources when citing any medical data. The Verified badge on our articles is a trusted sign of the most comprehensive scientifically-based medical content.If you have any concern that our content is inaccurate or it should be updated, please let our team know at [email protected]. If you or anyone you know is undergoing a severe health crisis, call a doctor or 911 immediately.

Depending on the severity of the addiction, the first phase of trazodone withdrawal can occur within the first few days after the last dose (or reduced dose). Trazodone is a type of antidepressant medication that is used to treat conditions like depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Classed as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), this type of antidepressant works by making more serotonin available in the brain, which helps boost mood, improve sleep, and decrease feelings of anxiety. One study recommends a tapering duration of around four weeks if you have been taking the drug for more than six weeks. Whether you’re concerned about social stigma or want to try therapy as an alternative, you may prefer not to be on antidepressants — and that’s OK.