Trazodone Capsules
Dosage Guide
Consultation & Consent
Do not want to book a Dosage Consult?
The information provided in these online guides is general guidance only. Your prescribed dosage may differ based on your individual medical assessment.
Your dosage must be confirmed during a Nurse Dosage Consult.
Repeat prescriptions will not be issued without attendance to a minimum of one Dosage Consult.
Your dosage
When: 30 minutes to 1 hour before bed
Volume: 1 capsule
How often: Only as needed, at bedtime
How many times per week: Only as needed
Drowsiness & driving
Trazodone causes drowsiness and can make you feel dizzy or less alert. These effects can last into the next morning.
- Only take your capsule when you are ready for bed and can get a full night's sleep.
- Do not drive, operate machinery or do anything that needs you to be alert after taking your capsule, or the next day if you still feel drowsy.
- Wait until you know how Trazodone affects you before driving or doing anything that needs your full attention.
- Avoid alcohol while taking Trazodone. Alcohol increases drowsiness.
- Take care getting up during the night or first thing in the morning. Stand up slowly, as you may feel dizzy or light-headed.
Other medicines that cause drowsiness (such as sleeping tablets, sedatives, some pain relief and some antihistamines) can increase these effects. Tell our medical team about everything you take, including over-the-counter and herbal medicines.
How to take your capsules
- Swallow 1 capsule whole with water, 30 minutes to 1 hour before bed.
- Do not open, crush or chew the capsules.
- Take it only on nights you need it. You do not need to take it every night.
Forgot to take it before bed? Only take it if you can still get a full night's sleep. If not, skip it and wait until the next night you need it.
Never take a double dose or a second capsule in the same night.
Taken too much? Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26, or 000 if you feel unwell.
Expiry
- Your capsules have a maximum expiry of approximately 6 months.
- Use by the expiry date printed on your bottle.
- The expiry date stays the same once the bottle is opened, and delaying opening does not extend it.
Don'ts
- Do not take more than 1 capsule a night.
- Do not increase your dose.
- Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
- Do not drive or operate machinery after taking your capsule, or while you still feel drowsy.
- Do not drink alcohol while taking Trazodone.
- Do not take other sleeping medicines or sedatives with Trazodone unless our medical team has approved it.
- Do not open, crush or chew the capsules.
- Do not share your medication with anyone.
- Do not continue taking the capsules if you experience persistent or concerning side effects. Contact our medical team promptly to discuss.
- Do not use the medication past the expiry date.
Contraindications
Make sure to check that none of these apply to you when starting this medication
- You are allergic to Trazodone or any ingredient in the capsules
- You are taking, or have taken in the last 14 days, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), a type of antidepressant also used for Parkinson's disease
- You have recently had a heart attack
- You are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding
- You drink alcohol heavily
- You are taking other sleeping medicines
- You are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding
- You are under 18 years of age
Tell our medical team before starting if you
- Have epilepsy or have ever had a seizure
- Have liver, kidney or heart problems, including an irregular heartbeat
- Have an overactive thyroid
- Have problems passing urine
- Have narrow angle glaucoma
- Have depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or another mental health condition, or have ever had thoughts of harming yourself
- Are aged 65 or over
- Have surgery coming up that needs an anaesthetic
- Take any other medicines, especially antidepressants, sedatives, antihistamines, medicines for epilepsy, blood pressure or heart conditions, blood thinners such as warfarin, some antifungal, antibiotic or HIV medicines, or St John's Wort
Side effects
Common side effects
- Drowsiness or feeling less alert, which can continue into the next day
- Dizziness or light-headedness, especially when standing up quickly
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Nausea
- Blocked nose
- Blurred vision
Stop taking Trazodone and seek medical help straight away if you experience
- A painful or long-lasting erection that is not related to sexual activity. This needs urgent treatment, so go to your nearest emergency department.
- A fast, slow or irregular heartbeat, or fainting
- Yellowing of your skin or eyes
- Confusion, restlessness, sweating, shaking, muscle twitching or a high temperature
- A seizure (fit)
- Bruising more easily than usual, or getting more infections than usual
- Thoughts of harming yourself, or worsening mood
- Allergic reactions to Trazodone can be severe and life-threatening. Contact us immediately if you notice a rash, hives, itching or swelling. Do not wait to see if symptoms resolve.
Theoretical but Unverified Risks
- Neoplasia risk: theoretically could promote growth of pre-existing tumours
Allergic or serious reaction?
If you believe you might be experiencing an allergic reaction or any of the serious side effects listed, stop taking your capsules and call us immediately
02 9053 9444
Severe reaction?
If you have difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, chest pain, a seizure or collapse, call Emergency Services immediately
000
Storage & Consumables
Storing your medication
- Store below 25°C. Refrigeration is not required.
- Keep in a dry place with the lid tightly closed.
- Keep out of direct sunlight.
- Keep out of reach of children.