Common side Effects of Trazodone:
- Dizziness
- Somnolence/Sedation
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea
- Back pain
- Constipation
Less Common and Severe Side Effects:
- Fainting
- Disorientation
- Decreased concentration
- Nervousness
- Muscle tremors
- Slow or fast heartbeat
- Uncoordinated movement
- Ringing in the ears
- General feeling of discomfort or illness
- Rush
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling
- Painful or prolonged erections
- Suicidal thinking
Some side effects of trazodone may go away shortly after they appear as your body adapts to the drug. Some of them require medical attention.
If you notice any lingering side effects that influence your everyday life, you should discuss them with a medical professional.
Trazodone Withdrawal Symptoms
Alterations to serotonin receptors cause changes in the brain resulting in withdrawal symptoms. Trazodone decreases the number of neurotransmitters associated with arousal effects. The reduced volume of receptors can create withdrawal effects if the drug is abruptly stopped.
As a rule, the body needs some time to fix this on its own. However, one may have unpleasant symptoms during this period of adjustment. We cannot always talk about addiction when one experiences withdrawals, but it certainly shows a physical dependency on the drug.
Some of the withdrawal symptoms are:
- Headaches
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Suicidal thoughts
- Irritability
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Trouble concentrating
- Depersonalization
- Shock-like sensations
- Chills
- Vertigo or difficulty walking
Do not stop taking Trazodone without prior approval from your doctor. Otherwise, you may experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. If your doctor decides to take you off trazodone, they will tell you how to do it safely. Usually, it happens by lowering the dose gradually to prevent side effects from occurring.