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Trazodone Withdrawal & Tapering Guide

trazodone

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Boxed Warning

Suicidality risk in children, adolescents, and young adults under 25 during initial treatment.

In short

Trazodone (trazodone) is an Other with a half-life of 5–9 hours. Often prescribed for insomnia at low doses. It is also sold as Desyrel, Oleptro, Trittico.

Class
Other
Half-life
5–9 hours
Common doses
25mg, 50mg, 100mg, 150mg
Step-by-step guideTrazodone Withdrawal Symptoms & How to Taper Off 50 mgTrazodone withdrawal is real, even at the low 25 to 100 mg doses prescribed off-label for sleep. Trazodone withdrawal symptoms usually start 24 to 72 hours after a cut, peak around days 3 to 7, and ease over 2 to 4 weeks, with rebound insomnia, anxiety, dizziness, and nausea the

Educational reference only. Dose changes are decided with the prescriber who knows your history.

Overview

Trazodone is a serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI) approved for major depressive disorder. At antidepressant doses (150–600mg), it modulates serotonin; at lower doses (25–100mg), its potent H1 and 5-HT2A antagonism provides sedation, making it one of the most commonly prescribed sleep aids.

Common Doses

25mg, 50mg, 100mg, 150mg

Formulations

Tablets: 50mg, 100mg, 150mg, 300mg; Extended-release tablets (Oleptro): 150mg, 300mg

Pregnancy

Category C (risk cannot be ruled out)

Mechanism of Action

Serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI). Blocks 5-HT2A receptors, weakly inhibits serotonin reuptake, and antagonizes histamine H1 and alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. The active metabolite mCPP is a 5-HT2C agonist. At low doses, H1 and 5-HT2A antagonism predominate.

Taper Notes

Often prescribed for insomnia at low doses. Rebound insomnia is the most common withdrawal symptom. Tablets can be split.

Hyperbolic Tapering Guidance

When used for sleep at low doses, taper gradually to minimize rebound insomnia. Tablets can be split for small reductions.

Summary written by TaperCommunity, informed by the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines (Horowitz & Taylor) and related literature — see Sources & References below. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Maudsley.

Common Withdrawal Symptoms

rebound insomniaanxietyirritabilitynausea

Interactions & Safety

Drug Interactions

  • MAOIs — contraindicated (serotonin syndrome risk)
  • CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, ritonavir) increase trazodone levels — consider dose reduction
  • CYP3A4 inducers (carbamazepine) decrease trazodone levels

Food Interactions

  • Food increases absorption; take shortly after a meal or snack
  • Avoid alcohol (additive CNS depression)

Contraindications

  • MAOIs within 14 days
  • Known hypersensitivity to trazodone

Toxicity

Priapism (rare but serious — requires immediate medical attention). Orthostatic hypotension. QT prolongation at high doses or in overdose. Serotonin syndrome with serotonergic combinations. Relatively low toxicity in overdose compared to TCAs.

Pharmacokinetics

ADME Profile

Absorption

Well absorbed after oral administration. Bioavailability ~65–80%. Tmax ~1 hour (fasting), ~2 hours (with food). Food increases Cmax and AUC; take shortly after meals.

Distribution

~0.8–1.5 L/kg

Metabolism

Hepatic via CYP3A4 (primary) to the active metabolite meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP). Further metabolism produces inactive conjugated metabolites.

Elimination

Renal (~70–75% as metabolites) and fecal (~21%). Less than 1% excreted unchanged.

Protein Binding

~89–95%

Clearance

~110–230 mL/min (apparent oral clearance)

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Related Articles About Trazodone

Trazodone Withdrawal Symptoms & How to Taper Off 50 mg

Trazodone withdrawal is real, even at the low 25 to 100 mg doses prescribed off-label for sleep. Trazodone withdrawal symptoms usually start 24 to 72 hours after a cut, peak around days 3 to 7, and ease over 2 to 4 weeks, with rebound insomnia, anxiety, dizziness, and nausea the

May 31, 2026

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Frequently asked questions about Trazodone

What are the withdrawal symptoms of Trazodone (trazodone)?

Common withdrawal symptoms of Trazodone (trazodone) include: rebound insomnia, anxiety, irritability, nausea. Symptom severity varies by individual, dose, and duration of use.

How should I taper off Trazodone (trazodone)?

Often prescribed for insomnia at low doses. Rebound insomnia is the most common withdrawal symptom. Tablets can be split. When used for sleep at low doses, taper gradually to minimize rebound insomnia. Tablets can be split for small reductions.

Can I stop Trazodone cold turkey?

Stopping Trazodone abruptly is not recommended. Its half-life is 5–9 hours, and the receptor adaptations built up during treatment do not reverse at that speed, so a sudden stop tends to produce the sharpest withdrawal. Prescribing guidance favours gradual, proportional reductions agreed with your prescriber.

How long does Trazodone stay in your system?

Trazodone (trazodone) has a half-life of 5–9 hours. A drug is mostly cleared after about five half-lives, so Trazodone is largely out of the body roughly 25 to 45 hours after the last dose, longer in older adults or with liver or kidney impairment. Withdrawal symptoms often begin before the drug has fully cleared and continue after it has, because the adaptations the brain made during treatment reverse more slowly than the drug leaves the blood.

Recent discussions about Trazodone

What members tapering Trazodone are asking and reporting right now. Personal experience, not medical advice.

All Trazodone discussions

Sources & References

Trazodone (trazodone) information on this page is sourced from peer-reviewed research, regulatory bodies, clinical guidelines, and patient-advocacy organizations.

Encyclopedic & chemical databases

Neutral, high-authority entity references.

Deprescribing-specific resources

Clinician-facing references on tapering protocols.

Patient-advocacy & lived-experience

Long-running communities documenting withdrawal experience.

TaperCommunity does not provide medical advice. Always consult a qualified prescriber before adjusting psychiatric medication.