No matter what medication you’re taking, any substance has long-term effects. Drugs like trazodone provide plenty of positives for individuals looking to fight the effects of depression, but are there flaws in having too much of a good thing? Let’s dive into the long-term effects of trazodone and what users and family members should know before taking the drugs.
What Is Trazodone?
Trazodone is a medication used to treat depression or as a sleep aid, in addition to various other uses. It’s in a class of medication called serotonin modulators and increases the serotonin in the brain. While classified as an antidepressant, it works differently than other types of drugs in this category. With its unique properties and overall effectiveness, trazodone is widely used, but it has a few major side effects to consider before, during, and after taking it.
What Are Some of the Effects of Trazodone?
One of the biggest benefits of trazodone is that there aren’t too many long-term effects or withdrawal symptoms from the medication. Many doctors and medical professionals prefer it to other antidepressants and sleep aids. However, there are still a few minor short-term and major long-term effects this medication can have.
Minor and Short-Term Effects
Many of the shorter-term impacts of trazodone include dry mouth, muscle or bone pains, trouble sleeping, or unpleasant tastes left in the mouth. Less common short-term effects involve constipation, diarrhea, or muscle aches and pains. While they are annoying to deal with, most of these side effects aren’t long-term concerns, and you should check with a medical professional if they continue for extended periods or become bothersome.
Major and Long-Term Effects
Even though there trazodone is a relatively safe drug, there are some serious side effects to keep in mind. Be sure to contact your doctor immediately if experiencing severe chest pain, irregular heartbeat, loss of consciousness, shortness of breath, unusual bleeding, small purple or red dots on the skin, or problems with coordination.
Important Note: Many antidepressants increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This is primarily focused on children, adolescents, and young adults with major depressive disorder or other similar mental health conditions. Closely monitor anyone in this age range and speak to a doctor about the risks these conditions present.
What to Think About Before Using Trazodone
No matter what medication you choose, it’s extremely important to talk to your doctor about potential side effects and other considerations. If you believe trazodone might be right for you, here are a few things to consider before taking the drug:
- Do you have any allergic reactions to this drug or any other medication?
- Are you an elderly patient? Older individuals with poorly functioning kidneys can have trouble processing the drug, but it’s also believed that older patients as a whole are at less risk for trazodone side effects.
- Are you using other medications? Certain medications should be avoided when using trazodone, while others “shouldn’t be used together but can be in the right circumstances.”
If Long-Term Trazodone Effects Are Impacting You, Don’t Go at it Alone.
It’s important that we take the short- and long-term effects of drugs seriously, which certainly applies to a drug with the potential impacts of trazodone. If you’re taking trazodone or suffering from some of its effects, know that you aren’t alone.
Pasadena Villa employs medical professionals with the expertise to treat the effects of depression and provide treatment options that prevent and help overcome the side effects of drugs. Whether you need an intensive outpatient program or residential treatment, contact us today at 407-215-2519 and get the help you or someone you love needs.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6398835/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/trazodone-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20061280?p=1
https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/trazodone-addiction/side-effects/
