Benefits Of A Drug Useful For The Treatment Of Depression

Trazodone is an antidepressant that belongs to the class of serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitors (SSRI's)

. Although Trazodone is approved by the FDA for the treatment of depression, it is prescribed off-label by many physicians as a sleep medication. Trazodone is now commonly used as a sleep aid by many people who suffer from insomnia.

Trazodone - a useful sleep aid: The sedating antidepressant, Trazodone is widely used in the treatment of insomnia. The sleep effect caused is actually one of Trazodone's side effects. It is used for treating insomnia that is caused by other antidepressants as well as in people who do not have any problem of depression.

Trazodone sleep dose: The starting dose of Trazodone for insomnia is 25 to 50 mg which is usually taken at bed time. The dose can be increased up to 100 mg, if necessary. The sleep effect of the drug usually starts within 1 to 2 hours of drug intake, which may last up to 8 hours.

Advantage of Trazodone as a sleep aid: Doctors find Trazodone as an appropriate sleep aid, even if the patient is not having any symptoms of depressions. Thus, Trazodone has become one of the most preferred drugs in the treatment of insomnia, due to the following reasons:

1. It is not addictive and not habit forming. 2. Trazodone is not a controlled substance, so Physicians can prescribe it without any problem. 3. Many physicians think Trazodone as safe in the treatment of insomnia.

Instruction before taking Trazodone for sleep: It is advisable to take Trazodone with food, due to its higher absorption rate when taken with food. Patients who take Trazodone for sleep should go to bed within 60 to 90 minutes after taking the medication. Because of its "narrow" window hypnotic effect, going late to bed may make the person feel very drowsy but unable to fall asleep.

Precautions before taking Trazodone: Trazodone should be used in caution by patients who are already suffering from heart problems. Also, the use of alcohol should be avoided when Trazodone is taken.

Trazodone Side effects: Despite the unknown long-term side effects, trazodone still has common ones which may vary from one to another. They include sleepiness (desired side effect), congestion, headache, stomach upset, muscle pain, constipation, nervousness, blurred vision and sweating.

Final thoughts: Many doctors prefer Trazodone as a sleep aid, even though it is approved by the FDA for the treatment of depression. Trazodone sleep aid may be cheaper, safer, and more effective when compared to many other sleep medications available in the market. However, the possible risks should be discussed with the health care provider before taking Trazodone as a sleep medication.

by: Bryan Hill

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