Trazodone and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• Cai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2021

For Anxiety "I really had a rough time starting trazodone. But I gave it two weeks, and wow. I now have 0 panic attacks! If I start worrying now, and get those body feelings, they completely go away once I refocus. I am so grateful that I got prescribed. The appetite suppression was rough. For the first month, or if you take your meds too late before bed, you will have a hard time waking up, headaches, and grogginess after waking. But this will all be worth it! The thought of food was nauseating and I had to live off protein shakes just to go on. But seriously, it helped me lose weight and stop my anxiety, I'm so so so beyond happy with it."

• kj2...
• January 6, 2021

For Insomnia "I was prescribed trazodone for insomnia, but I have anxiety and depression as well. I'm very wary of all medications and don't take anything for my other conditions, but after almost a week of no sleep, I finally gave in to taking this. I think it saved me. I'm finally able to fall asleep before 5 AM and stay asleep for more than a couple of hours. Additionally, I feel less anxious and dreadful upon waking up in the morning. I'm only taking 50 mg. The only side effect I've had is a slight headache upon waking up and still a little sleepy/groggy, but that goes away upon really waking."

• kj2...
• January 6, 2021

For Insomnia "I was prescribed trazodone for insomnia, but I have anxiety and depression as well. I'm very wary of all medications and don't take anything for my other conditions, but after almost a week of no sleep, I finally gave in to taking this. I think it saved me. I'm finally able to fall asleep before 5 AM and stay asleep for more than a couple of hours. Additionally, I feel less anxious and dreadful upon waking up in the morning. I'm only taking 50 mg. The only side effect I've had is a slight headache upon waking up and still a little sleepy/groggy, but that goes away upon really waking."

• Ric...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 28, 2020

For Insomnia "I've been on 135 milligrams of trazodone nightly for insomnia for several years, and it was absolutely lifesaving. Before that, I was on Klonopin, Benadryl, Tylenol PM, Ambien, etc. None of which worked well. I had also had a doctor who didn't know what he was doing, prescribing me various antidepressants for insomnia. I finally consulted a psychiatrist who suggested trazodone, in part because it's been around for a while (on the market nearly 4 decades), and its effects are well documented. Over a couple of months, we figured out the best dosage for me. I take it at the same time each night just before bed. It puts me to sleep, and I stay asleep for the night. I usually wake up a little groggy, but that goes away within 10-15 minutes. You can't just try a single dose of it one night and expect it to work. It will take a little time to work out how much you should take to work for you. It's best to work with a good psychiatrist or a doctor who knows what she or he is doing."

• mar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 1, 2014

For Insomnia "I am 75 years old and have been taking trazodone for sleep for about ten years. I take 150 mg. It is a miracle for insomnia. I sleep 8 hours a night straight through. Yes, you do feel groggy in the morning when you first start taking it, but it goes away with time, so don't give up too soon when you start it because of grogginess. I have never heard of taking it with food as one person said. It is non-addictive and I feel so rested that I do not feel the need for naps that I always used to take before trazodone."

• Zil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2017

For Depression "With all due respect, don't listen to the naysayers. It's a great medication. No loading period, you can come off at any time, and it is only mildly addicting when taken in high doses for long periods. You will sleep, it will keep your anxiety and depression in check, and it will allow you to be yourself again. People who tried it for a night and complain in reviews have not given it a chance. I don't understand, do they prefer to have their brain chemistry altered forever by Paxil? LOL. Trazodone is a SARI and a minor one at that. I don't want to be a slave to Paxil and the like forever, hence, Traz is a much better option."

• Dan...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 1, 2014

For Insomnia "I have been taking 50mg of trazodone at bedtime for 19 years. More than 50mg does not help me sleep any better, and I am groggy in the morning. 50mg is perfect for me as it hits fast and no morning time sedation. It is not a controlled drug, does not have any drug abuse potential, and is not addicting. My first doctor would not prescribe it to me for fear of priapism. After 19 years-still no priapism!"

• Dan...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 1, 2014

For Insomnia "I have been taking 50mg of trazodone at bedtime for 19 years. More than 50mg does not help me sleep any better, and I am groggy in the morning. 50mg is perfect for me as it hits fast and no morning time sedation. It is not a controlled drug, does not have any drug abuse potential, and is not addicting. My first doctor would not prescribe it to me for fear of priapism. After 19 years-still no priapism!"

• Anonymous
• October 7, 2019

For Anxiety "13 years ago, I was prescribed 100 mg at bedtime for insomnia and anxiety. Upon awakening, I couldn't think straight. It was awful. So I discontinued it. A couple of weeks ago, I decided to request that my doctor prescribed trazodone again at 25 mg per night. I am a long-time user of benzodiazepines. Doctors are reluctant to prescribe benzos. Quite frankly, I'm tired of the battle to get them. Not only that, my favorite is Xanax. Xanax is a brain cell destroyer. I would like to keep what's left of my mind. The trazodone 25 mg at bedtime allows me to sleep through the night without anxiety and flashbacks. No lying awake tossing and turning, reliving undesirable events in my history. My insomnia has been a lifelong condition. I have mostly self-medicated through the years. My hope is that I have found the right treatment at the right dosage. If the beneficial effects continue to last, I will stick with this."

• 218...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2019

For Depression "I have insomnia and depression. I’ve tried a lot of antidepressants and I found I’m also having trouble sleeping and struggling with depression. I’m 63 years old. My doctor prescribed trazodone 50 mg and I’ve only had it one night so far. I haven’t had a good night's sleep in a long time and I actually feel human today. I’m very sensitive to meds so I had to cut the 50 mg, and I’m going to try 25 mg tonight because I felt a bit groggy this morning, but I am sensitive to meds. I really am hopeful for this to work. A bit soon to have an opinion, but I haven’t felt this good in a long time. Also told it’s not habit forming. I was sleepy 15 minutes after I took it. And, oh yes, make sure there’s food in your stomach. Made me feel a bit nauseous so I had a couple of soda crackers. Hope this helps some people. I’ve seen a lot of positive comments made. Have a great day. ❤️"

• Tea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2013

For Insomnia "I've had insomnia for years now and I finally asked my psych. for something to help me get some sleep. She gave me trazodone. I remember taking it in the way past to treat depression and I took upwards of 400 mg. Now I tried 300 mg the first night and I could barely stand the next day. I tried 150 mg the next night and I still felt drowsy the next day. So I said forget it. Then last night I cut the 150 Tri-scored tablet into about 10 mg. I slept like a rock and woke up without feeling drowsy. I feel alive and rested. I make a bunch of these small trazodones for myself and will take it until I get used to it. I give this medicine an A."

• noo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2019

For Depression "Trazodone helped me so much. I felt a boost in my confidence, I slept better at nights, and my energy levels were so high. I felt great every day when I took them. I would always take them at 9 pm at night and then get tired half an hour after taking them. It definitely helped with sleep. I was ready for the day at 7 am. I had so much motivation while on this medication. For anyone that is thinking of starting Trazodone, remember it takes a month to get the full effect. It doesn't start working as soon as you start taking it. I think it does work with sleep right away because it makes you drowsy after taking it."

• Sle...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 21, 2015

For Anxiety "Having battled anxiety and insomnia for years, and not wanting to take an addictive drug, trazodone has done wonders for me. I take 200 mg a half hour before bed and then lights out for 8 hours. I used to wake up groggy but that went away after three weeks. Best sleep aid I have ever had. Now, no more anxiety."

• Unc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 15, 2015

For Depression "I take 50mg Trazodone before bed. It helps me get a full night's sleep and eases my depression during the day. I don't think I'd benefit from taking it first thing in the morning because it's a very sedating drug. I also find Trazodone to be an effective long-term pain killer. Trazodone doesn't belong to any of the common classes of antidepressants so it doesn't kill my libido like SSRIs and SNRIs tend to do."

• Ste...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 7, 2014

For Insomnia "I was put on 100 mg, which was far too much for me. I would be tired and in a fog the next day even after a very restful night's sleep. My doctor told me to split the pills in half, and I still got the sleep I needed without the severe drowsiness the next day. Now, I don't have to take it every single night to sleep."

• lil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 2, 2012

For Anxiety "Love it! Been on it for only a month now, but wow! The other antidepressants only caused my mania to explode and make me stop taking them. Trust me, I've been on a lot of meds. I used to not sleep (maybe 3 hours a night if that) and now I'm sleeping 6-8 on 50 mg of trazodone. I'm not as mad anymore, I can focus, life is just so much better! I would have rated it a 10, but it gives me heartburn and it is a little more sedating in the morning when I'm trying to wake up (can't have caffeine). This medicine is truly a godsend! But, for anyone that has bipolar, this is definitely an add-on to your normal meds. Taking Klonopin, Depakote, and now Trazodone. Life is great!"

• Mag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2014

For Insomnia "My doctor prescribed 150mg of trazodone at bedtime because I have problems sleeping. I start to feel funny within 15-20 minutes of taking it, and that's my sign that it's time to lie down. It keeps me asleep with no weird side effects. No weird dreams. I feel groggy in the morning, but it goes away within a couple of hours."

• Geo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2019

For Depression "Trazodone is absolutely great for me. I'm taking 100 mg of it every night due to terrible insomnia and persisting depression. Sertraline was only making me more miserable, but trazodone worked from day 1. I sleep a lot better and have much less trouble with bad thoughts and bad mood. Some people say it makes them feel groggy, but it's just perfect for me. This medicine is not used very often as an antidepressant, but it is worth trying it if other medicines don't fit you."

• Yor...
• March 22, 2018

For Anxiety "I had really low expectations for trazodone, but I’ve been very pleasantly surprised! I have PTSD, trouble falling/staying asleep, and anxiety/panic during the day. I take between 12.5mg and 25mg of trazodone at night. It’s like a miracle drug for me. The side effects I’ve had are feeling a little zoned out (this has worn off over the past 3 weeks), less nervous eating, and occasional increased REM sleep. It’s important to take it early (by 10 pm) otherwise I can feel groggy for many hours during the day. But it’s made my anxiety VERY manageable. I definitely wasn’t expecting it to work. There are no withdrawals or unpleasant side effects if I don’t take it. It works just as well as Ativan or Xanax with fewer side effects (I don’t feel loopy). Very happy!!"

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2019

For Insomnia "I had tried Benadryl and melatonin but my body quickly got used to it. My anxiety and insomnia were progressively getting worse. I was first put on trazodone 50 mg for sleep. I was scared to take the whole pill so I cut it in half. That night I slept about 4 hours and then woke up. I too had some nasal congestion. I had Flonase which was helpful. I finally became desperate enough to take a whole pill. There was an improvement, the nasal issue went away but still wasn’t sleeping the whole night. I was desperate enough to try 1.5 pills=75mg. I have never had such quality sleep in my life. When I wake up, I do feel a little groggy but it passes quickly as soon as I’ve had my coffee and shower. I have energy and my anxiety has decreased. I no longer have any side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2012

For Headache "Trazodone has been a miracle for me. It has helped my headaches, which I was having daily. It also has caused me to lose some weight, which makes me feel better. It has also helped with my anxiety. Only problem I have had so far is that if I take it too late at night, I will feel groggy in the morning. I am on 100mg."

• rel...
• December 2, 2013

For Anxiety "I had previously tried Cipralex, Wellbutrin, Effexor, Abilify, lamotrigine, mirtazapine, and benzodiazepines for my persistent anxiety. I heard that trazodone was a 'weak' antidepressant, but its anxiolytic properties work magic for me. Unlike the other medications I tried, I have hardly experienced any side effects except for some grogginess in the mornings. While its sedating effects aren't strong for me (I take Seroquel/clonazepam if required to fall asleep during stressful periods), my anxiety during the day and night has subsided considerably."

• Gar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2013

For Insomnia "Took 100mg for the first time last night. Don't think I rolled over all night - my hip is aching this morning, possibly because I slept in one position. I slept through my alarm this morning. Three cups of coffee later, I'm still groggy. I'll try 50mg tonight and see if it works without the side effects. I'd advise starting at a low dosage and working your way up."

• Unk...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 2, 2017

For Anxiety "I was prescribed this medication several years ago for anxiety disorder and depression, with serious insomnia. It worked like a charm to help me get a really good night's sleep and saved my sanity. I took it daily for about 2 years. It really knocked me out, so that if someone woke me in the middle of the night, I was pretty much incoherent and felt heavily drugged. I did feel alert and rested in the morning. The worst thing for me was a rare side effect that caused my bone marrow to stop producing white blood cells. A swollen lymph node resulted in a blood test, which showed no white blood cells at all. I was scared of cancer, but my doctor told me to stop taking this drug and the tests afterward were back to normal. I suggest you get blood tests if on this medication."

• Eri...
• September 17, 2014

For Insomnia "My wife and I have tried the whole gamut of sleep aids. Trazodone works pretty well. It seems to cause 'funny' dreams, but other than that, it does make you sleep. The only exception we have to most people's experiences is we find even 12.5 mg is 'too much', resulting in an over-sedated feeling in the morning. We try to cut the tablet into 8 parts, but it is difficult. So, a 25 mg, or even 10 mg tablet would be great."