Abruptly stopping trazodone use can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Trazodone withdrawal syndrome is more likely to occur if the medication has been taken for an extended period or at higher doses. In this article, Avenues Recovery, premier addiction recovery specialists, explore trazodone withdrawal, its symptoms, side effects, and management tips.
What Causes Trazodone Withdrawal?
When a person takes antidepressant medications, levels of neurotransmitters in the brain increase. Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that facilitate nerve cell communication. The sudden lowering of neurotransmitter levels when stopping the antidepressant quickly often produces withdrawal symptoms while the brain adapts to the change.
The more gradual the changes, the milder and more tolerable the symptoms will be - and in some cases, they may not occur at all. This is why it is usually best to slowly taper off an antidepressant, such as trazodone, instead of stopping cold turkey.
What Is Trazodone?
Trazodone is a medication that belongs to a class of drugs known as atypical antidepressants. Trazodone works by increasing the levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain associated with mood regulation. It is not a first-line treatment for depression, but is sometimes used when other antidepressants are not well-tolerated or have not been effective. In addition to its antidepressant properties, trazodone has anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects, making it useful in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Additionally, it has sedative effects that are particularly useful in managing insomnia.
Trazodone Withdrawal Symptoms and Side Effects
According to the Cleveland Clinic, studies show that between 27% and 86% of people experience antidepressant discontinuation syndrome when they attempt to stop taking antidepressants.
Here are some potential trazodone withdrawal symptoms:
- Insomnia: Generally speaking, when it comes to withdrawal symptoms, whatever the substance use is providing, withdrawal will create the opposite effects. Thus, since trazodone is often prescribed for sleep, withdrawal may lead to difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
- Irritability: Some people may experience heightened irritability or mood changes during withdrawal.
- Nausea: Nausea is a common withdrawal symptom for many medications, including trazodone.
- Dizziness: Discontinuing Trazodone may lead to dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when standing up.
- Headache: Withdrawal from trazodone can sometimes be associated with headaches.
- Electric Shock Sensations: Some individuals report sensations described as "electric shocks" or "brain zaps" during withdrawal from certain antidepressants, including trazodone.
- Flu-Like Symptoms: Withdrawal may also be associated with flu-like symptoms, including fatigue and muscle aches.
Not everyone will experience withdrawal symptoms, and the severity and duration of the side effects of coming off trazodone can vary from person to person.
Factors That Affect the Intensity of Trazodone Withdrawal Symptoms
The intensity of withdrawal symptoms from trazodone can vary from person to person and is influenced by the following factors:
- Dosage and Duration of Use: Higher doses and longer durations of trazodone use are often associated with more intense withdrawal symptoms. Abruptly stopping a higher dosage or discontinuing the medication after long-term use can lead to a more pronounced withdrawal reaction.
- Tapering Method: The method used to taper off Trazodone can impact withdrawal symptoms. Gradual tapering under the guidance of a healthcare professional is generally recommended to minimize the severity of withdrawal effects. Abrupt discontinuation is more likely to result in intense symptoms.
- Individual Sensitivity: People vary in their sensitivity to medications and their propensity to experience withdrawal symptoms.
- Underlying Health Conditions: The presence of other health conditions can influence the body's response to medication changes. Individuals with certain medical conditions may be more prone to experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
- Psychological Factors: Factors such as anxiety and stress can influence the perception and experience of withdrawal symptoms. Individuals who are anxious about the withdrawal process may be more likely to notice and report symptoms.
- Concurrent Substance Use: The use of other substances, including alcohol or illicit drugs, can interact with the withdrawal process and may contribute to the intensity of symptoms.
- Overall Health and Lifestyle Factors: Factors such as overall physical health, lifestyle, diet, and sleep patterns can also impact the body's response to medication changes.
It's important to note that withdrawal symptoms are not necessarily an indication of addiction. Trazodone withdrawal symptoms are more related to the body adjusting to the absence of the medication rather than a craving for the drug.
Trazodone Withdrawal Timeline
How long does trazodone withdrawal last? Here is a general overview of the trazodone withdrawal timeline:
- Early Withdrawal (First Few Days):
- Within the first few days of discontinuation, individuals may experience symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, and insomnia.
- Acute Withdrawal (First Week):
- During the first week, withdrawal symptoms may intensify, and individuals may also experience dizziness, nausea, headaches, and flu-like symptoms.
- Peak Withdrawal (2-3 Weeks):
- The peak of withdrawal symptoms is typically reached within the second or third week. Symptoms may include mood swings, increased anxiety, and persistent insomnia.
- Subacute Withdrawal (3-6 Weeks):
- Withdrawal symptoms may gradually start to subside during this period, but individuals may still experience lingering effects, including mood disturbances and sleep disturbances.
- Complete Resolution (6 Weeks Onward):
- In most cases, withdrawal symptoms should significantly improve or resolve completely after about six weeks. However, some individuals may experience lingering effects, and it's essential to monitor for any prolonged or severe symptoms.
Trazodone Withdrawal Treatment Options
If someone who is taking trazodone wants to stop using the drug, or already has and is experiencing withdrawal symptoms, it's essential to seek guidance and support from a healthcare professional. Attempting to self-manage withdrawal from trazodone without professional guidance can be risky since trazodone withdrawal side effects and symptoms can be challenging to manage alone.
A healthcare provider will discuss with the individual their reasons for wanting to stop using the drug and help clarify whether this is the right decision for them. If it is, they can guide an individual in how to wean off trazodone as well as recommend supportive measures to manage withdrawal symptoms that occur, such as insomnia or anxiety. They may suggest over-the-counter pain relievers or other non-pharmacological strategies, such as working on mindfulness.
How to Sleep After Stopping Trazodone
Since trazodone often aids in a good night’s sleep, a common withdrawal symptom is insomnia. Here are some tips to assist with sleep after trazodone withdrawal.
- Limit caffeine and alcohol, or any other substances that are known to disrupt sleep
- Limit screen time a couple of hours before winding down. Try and use the evening hours for something relaxing and avoid stress.
- Establish a consistent sleep routine. Aiming for bedtime to be at a regular hour each day can train the body to be ready for sleep at that time.
- Use natural sleep aids such as melatonin. Some people find that exercises such as deep breathing or guided imagery also help them relax.
Tapering Off Trazodone
The treatment options for trazodone withdrawal will depend on the specific symptoms and their severity. The most common approach to manage withdrawal symptoms is to gradually taper the dosage of trazodone rather than stopping it abruptly. Tapering allows the body to adjust more slowly to the reduction in medication, which can minimize withdrawal effects.
Regular monitoring and follow-up appointments with the healthcare provider are crucial during the tapering process. This allows the provider to assess the individual's response to the changes in medication and make further adjustments if needed. They will also determine whether the individual might need a different type of medication moving forward.
In some cases, individuals going through medication withdrawal may benefit from addiction counseling or therapy to address the emotional and psychological aspects of the process.
Avenues Recovery Can Help With Trazodone Withdrawal
If you are trying to withdraw from trazodone or know someone who is, Avenues Recovery is here to help you. We offer comprehensive detox plans to help you with trazodone withdrawal as safely and comfortably as possible.
If you are suffering from trazodone abuse, know that there is hope. Our professional and highly trained staff can help you regain control of your life. Our staff are experts in the field of addiction and will stop at nothing to give you the help you need. Getting off trazodone can be difficult, but it is worth it.
We have helped thousands of people beat their addictions, and we can help you too! Contact us today to discover what treatment options are available for you. No one deserves to suffer on their own. We will support and guide you every step of the way to a happier, healthier, and sober future.