How and when to take trazodone

Always follow your doctor's advice, and the instructions that come with your medicine.

Dosage and strength

Trazodone tablets come as 50mg, 100mg and 150mg strengths. Capsules come as 50mg and 100mg strengths. The liquid has either 10mg or 20mg of trazodone in every 1ml.

For depression, the usual dose is 150mg daily. But in some cases your doctor may start you on a lower dose of 100mg to reduce the chance of side effects.

For anxiety, the usual dose is 75mg daily.

Your dose may go up or down depending on how it affects you. Your doctor may prescribe up to 300mg a day for anxiety, or more for depression, if you need a stronger dose.

How to take it

Your doctor may advise you to take your dose of trazodone once a day. If you have a larger dose, your doctor may suggest that you split it and take it twice a day.

If your dose is 300mg a day or less, your doctor will probably tell you to take it as a single dose at bedtime. As trazodone can make you feel sleepy, taking it at bedtime may help if you're having trouble sleeping.

Take trazodone after food to reduce the chances of feeling sick.

How long to take it for

If you have only had 1 episode of depression, you'll need to take trazodone for at least 6 months after you feel better.

Stopping before that time can make depression come back.

If you have had depression more than once, your doctor may recommend carrying on with trazodone for longer.

If you forget to take it

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's almost time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Never take 2 doses to make up for a forgotten one.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicines.

If you take too much

Taking too much trazodone can cause symptoms including:

• being sick
• feeling very sleepy
• being confused
• feeling dizzy or fainting
• problems with your heart or breathing
• a fit or seizure

The amount of trazodone that leads to an overdose varies from person to person.

If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.

Take the trazodone packet or leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine, with you.

Stopping trazodone

Once you have been feeling better for 6 months or more, your doctor may suggest that you stop taking trazodone.

Your doctor will probably recommend reducing your dose gradually over several weeks, or longer if you have been taking trazodone for a long time.

This is to help prevent any withdrawal side effects you might get as a reaction to coming off the medicine. These can include:

• feeling dizzy
• feeling sick
• numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
• trouble sleeping
• feeling agitated or anxious
• headaches
• shaking