How Long Does Trazodone Stay in Your System?
Medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Giordano, DO
Trazodone is an antidepressant medication that is prescribed to over 16 million Americans every year.
It is commonly sold under the brand names "Desyrel," "Desyrel Dividose," "Oleptro," "Raldesy," etc.
This drug is mainly prescribed for depression (major depressive disorder) and insomnia (nih.gov).
You may be wondering: how long does Trazodone stay in your system?
It's a valid question, especially if you're taking the medication and thinking about stopping the medication.
The short answer to this question?
Trazodone typically clears out within 2–3 days, but one critical aspect that is often overlooked in the clinical setting is what you might experience while trying to come off the medication.
If you're weaning off, a tapering plan is key to avoiding unwanted or severe withdrawal symptoms.
According to Drugs.com, Trazodone has a half-life of 5 to 13 hours (Drugs.com).
Understanding the half-life of Trazodone is essential, especially when it comes to tapering off safely.
We will address how long it takes to clear your system, what factors can affect it, potential Trazodone side effects, and what to expect if you're looking to wean off without running into withdrawal symptoms.
For professional guidance, you can book a session with Dr. Giordano here.
What is Trazodone, and what are its Side Effects?
Trazodone belongs to a class of medications called serotonin antagonists and reuptake inhibitors (SARI).
In simpler terms, this means that it impacts the serotonin levels in one's brain.
Trazodone is used alone or along with other medications/therapies for depression.
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibition: Trazodone, similar to SSRIs, elevates serotonin concentration in the brain.
It achieves this by inhibiting the reabsorption of serotonin ("reuptake") into the nerve cells.
As a result, a greater quantity of serotonin remains available in the neuronal synapse.
Serotonin Antagonism: Trazodone's mechanism of action also includes blocking serotonin receptors, namely 5-HT2 receptors.
These receptors modulate the more potent effects of serotonin and can potentially lessen the negative impact that some people suffer from while using SSRIs.
Common Uses:
Trazodone is prescribed for conditions typically concerning mood and sleep.
It is primarily used for:
Depression:
Trazodone works by increasing available serotonin in the brain while blocking certain receptors. This mechanism is theorized to elevate mood, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep.
Insomnia:
Trazodone blocks histamine and alpha-1 receptors and modulates serotonin, which can induce drowsiness. This may help some people fall asleep and/or stay asleep.
Off-label uses:
Anxiety Disorders
PTSD
Chronic Pain
Fibromyalgia
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Classification of Trazodone
Trazodone is not a controlled substance.
While Trazodone is not classified as a controlled substance, cases of Trazodone abuse do exist.
Especially when people take it in higher doses to enhance its sedative effects, whether someone is abusing Trazodone or taking it as prescribed, an individual can experience withdrawal symptoms when reducing the dose or stopping suddenly.
How Long Does Trazodone Stay in Your System
How long does Trazodone stay in your system?
To understand this, it is essential to understand the half-life of Trazodone.
What Does "Half-Life" Mean?
A drug's half-life is the time it takes for its bloodstream concentration to decrease by half.
In simpler words, within a single half-life, one-half of the drug is expelled from the body.
The half-life of Trazodone:
To begin with, let's just say that you have a glass of water that is half-filled.
If the half-life of Trazodone is five to thirteen hours, it is similar to emptying half of the water in the glass every five to thirteen hours.
So, with 100mg of Trazodone in your system, after the first 5-13 hours, you will be left with only 50mg.
After the subsequent 5-13 hours, you will be left with 25mg of Trazodone, and so on.
Depending on the metabolism, it can take a few days for the drug to be entirely removed from the body.
When does Trazodone's Half-Life vary:
For people who use the immediate-release form, it takes around five to nine hours for the body to eliminate half the dose.
The extended-release version takes around 12 hours for the body to eliminate half the dosage.
This is because the medication is made to release slowly into the system over a longer period of time.
How long does Trazodone last in your system?
This can depend on the formulation that you're taking.
Factors Influencing How Long Trazodone Stays In Your System:
Age: Metabolizing medications is a complex process; as our bodies age, this process becomes slower. Trazodone might stay in one's system longer in older people than in younger individuals.
Liver & Kidney Function: Since the liver does most of the work in processing Trazodone, any difficulty with liver function can slow things down. The kidneys also function to clear it from your system. So, if either of the two are not functioning at their best, the drug may linger longer.
Dosage & Frequency: The more you take this medication, and the longer you've been on it, the more it has an impact on your system. Someone taking Trazodone occasionally will clear it faster than someone who's been on a higher daily dose for months or years.
Hydration & BMI: Your body composition plays an important role. Staying well-hydrated can help the body clear the drug faster. Higher body fat composition may cause it to stay longer due to the fat solubility of Trazodone.
Drug Interactions: Certain medications can alter how Trazodone is metabolized. Prescription drugs that inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme can impact how long it stays in your body.
Genetics & Metabolism: The rate at which people metabolize prescription drugs can vary. Some people metabolize prescription drugs ultra-fast, while others do so much more slowly. This can also affect how long Trazodone remains in their system.
Timeline for Clearing Trazodone
There are multiple types of drug tests available to detect drugs in the body. For each component of the body (bloodstream, urine, saliva, hair, etc.), an effective drug test can be used to identify drugs in the respective areas.
How long is Trazodone present in each body system?
In the Blood: Up to 24 hours
In the Urine: 1 to 3 days
In the Saliva: 2 to 3 days
In the Hair: Up to 90 days
Blood Tests:
Blood tests can be used to detect Trazodone's concentration in the blood.
However, these tests are a short-term detection method as this drug usually clears out within a day (24 hours).
Urine Tests:
By taking a urine test, you might still test positive for up to three days after the last dose.
This is because your body clears it out through your kidneys.
Saliva Tests:
Saliva tests can detect Trazodone for up to three days.
However, these drug tests are not standard for Trazodone detection.
Hair Tests:
Like most prescription drugs, traces of Trazodone can stay up to ninety days in the hair.
After taking the last dose, hair tests can detect Trazodone in the hair.
However, this type of drug testing is a rare occurrence.
False Positives:
If you're being screened for drug use, do not hesitate to ask for a confirmatory test if the results are not what you were expecting. This can help screen out false positives in drug screening due to Trazodone or other medications.
What Happens When You Stop Trazodone?
Do you have to be on the lookout for withdrawal symptoms when considering discontinuing the medication?
The answer is Yes. When discontinuing Trazodone, it's essential to understand the potential withdrawal symptoms. Reducing or stopping the Trazodone dosage can impact your brain chemistry, requiring your brain to adapt to a new biochemical circumstance.
Suddenly stopping Trazodone can cause significant withdrawal symptoms.
Anxiety or irritability:
You might feel on edge or unusually restless. Small things that wouldn’t normally bother you might suddenly feel overwhelming.
Sleep disturbances, including insomnia:
You may struggle with sleep, whether that be falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up. 'Tired and wired' is how some describe their state. Some report vivid dreams and frequent awakenings.
Nausea and dizziness:
You might start feeling lightheaded or queasy. Motion can feel unsettling.
Headaches:
You can experience a mild to moderate headache. Drinking plenty of fluids and getting fresh air can sometimes help. But it’s one of those annoyances that may just take some time to pass.
Mood swings:
You may feel fine one moment and suddenly irritable/emotional the next. This can happen while your brain is trying to find a new balance.
Withdrawal Timeline:
The worst of the symptoms usually hit within the first 3–7 days but can still appear for weeks or months after that. Tapering slowly can help. Gradually lowering your Trazodone dosage instead of abruptly stopping can make the transition much smoother.
How to Wean Off Trazodone: Tips to Prevent Withdrawal Symptoms
Stopping Trazodone abruptly is not advisable. A gradual and holistic tapering process can significantly reduce the risk of experiencing difficult withdrawal symptoms. We highly recommend a proper tapering plan.
Here are some tips to consider:
Talk To Your Doctor:
The first step everyone should take is to consult a trusted healthcare provider who recognizes withdrawal symptoms and understands gentle tapering.
She/he will make a proper plan to help make the entire process smoother and avoid any unnecessary discomfort.
Reduce Your Trazodone Dosage Gradually:
Gradually lowering your prescription medication intake can help to avoid or lessen any withdrawal symptoms.
Each individual is unique in how they respond to the medication and its reduction.
Your trusted and tapering-knowledgeable healthcare professional can better help you with this.
Pay Attention To Your Symptoms:
Be mindful of any changes in your system, no matter how big or small.
Anything that's happening out of the ordinary for you can lead to a bigger problem for your future self.
So, it's better to deal with it immediately instead of ignoring it.
Consider keeping a journal to track patterns and to help inform any required tweaks.
Support Your Body With Healthy Habits:
If you start feeling irritable or overly anxious, it may mean that your body needs more time to adjust to the reduced dose.
Try calming activities like meditation, deep breathing, mild exercise, etc., to help soothe and relax yourself.
Stay Hydrated and Eat Well:
What you consume can have a big effect on your entire system.
Staying hydrated and eating nutrient-dense whole foods can help your body and brain go through a taper.
A holistic plan for your overall well-being can help you avoid uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
Lean On Your Support System:
Remember, you're not alone in this.
Talking to people you trust or joining support groups can make a world of difference.
Having someone to check in with can help you stay motivated during the change and lessen the emotional burden of tapering.
What to Expect Journeying Off Trazodone
Tapering off isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Some people get through it in no time, while others need more time to adjust to it.
The key is to listen to your body.
Don't ignore symptoms that cause discomfort.
If you feel symptoms like suicidal thoughts or depression, contact your trusted healthcare provider immediately to get support and create a plan that best suits your needs.
Stay in touch with your healthcare professional, and make sure to discuss your symptoms.
Supporting your emotional well-being via counseling or alternative treatment options can offer additional assistance.
FAQs About Trazodone:
Can Trazodone Cause Weight Gain?
Trazodone does not have weight gain as a common side effect, but some patients have reported changes in appetite.
How Quickly Does Trazodone Work for Sleep?
Trazodone usually starts to work at peak levels about 1 or 2 hours after consumption. Most people feel the sedating effects within that timeframe. However, taking it very late at night may lead to feeling grogginess the next morning.
Is Trazodone Safe to Take During Pregnancy?
The FDA has placed Trazodone under Category C. To put it more simply, it means that it is yet unclear (due to lack of research) whether or not this drug is entirely safe for consumption during pregnancies. In such situations, you should immediately consult a healthcare professional.
When to Seek Help
When it comes to one’s well-being, no sign should be ignored.
Suppose you experience withdrawal symptoms (like intense dizziness or persistent insomnia), then it is a good idea to check in with your healthcare provider.
If more serious red flags appear, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Conclusion
Stepping away from Trazodone is a process.
The more you understand what to expect, the easier the process of tapering becomes.
This is why it is helpful to understand all of the facts, from how long Trazodone stays in your system to how to handle withdrawal symptoms.
Taking care of your mental health is one of the best gifts that you can give to yourself. Remember, you don't have to do this alone.
Book an appointment with Dr. Jennifer Giordano for personalized support that can guide you through the tapering journey effectively. Taking charge of your mental health is not only important, but it is also essential to your happy and healthy future.
