Trazodone and Drowsiness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 9, 2017

For Insomnia "I was given trazodone by my psychiatrist instead of imovane or benzodiazepines. At first, I took 50mg. The 1st week, it was hard to get up in the morning, but that got better. Then I went up to 100mg and couldn't handle it (too groggy), so back down to 50mg. This med helped me for months, so if you can get through the first few weeks of morning grogginess, give it a try. I suffer from major depression, anxiety, insomnia, and I am a recovering alcoholic."

• mac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2024

For Insomnia "I was prescribed 50 mg of trazodone at night while I was in the hospital for a month. Not only did it help me to sleep better, but it also helped my mood too, which I wasn't expecting. I am now taking the same amount at bedtime after having left the hospital. I have taken other antidepressants, all of which may have helped my depression, but they also killed my sex drive and enthusiasm for pretty much anything. Which led me to stop trying new stuff. I think I may have been given a much higher dose years ago, which was taken in the morning, and I couldn't handle the drowsiness, so I stopped taking it. I'm glad that I got prescribed it during my stay and that it was for long enough that I was able to notice the difference it made. Anyone else getting a high dose that can't handle the drowsiness, ask your doctor to lower the dose and start taking it at night instead. You might find it is enough to help you."

• Chr...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 14, 2024

For Insomnia "Been on trazodone for years and still love it. I don’t sleep without it, so I feel much groggier if I don’t take it. No vivid dreams for me. I still wake up in the middle of the night sometimes, but THC helps with that."

• stl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2015

For Sedation "After taking Ambien for a few years, it wasn't working at all. Trazodone has been very effective. I no longer dread trying to go to sleep. It may take a few days for it to work, so don't give up on it. I can't believe the change it has been in my life. Cutting a 50mg in half. A cup of coffee in the morning and no groggy feeling. It may be just from getting a decent night's sleep, but I have more energy during the day! Last night I slept through a terrible storm...I recommend giving it a few days to work, especially if switching from Ambien overnight. Only thing I'm not sure about is it says to take with food...who eats right before going to bed? I've tried to eat a few crackers with it, but most nights I forget."

• Fox...
• February 13, 2017

For Sedation "I was given this medication for sleep. I would often wake up around 2:00 in the morning and have trouble falling back to sleep. When you have to get up for work in the morning, it made for a rough, long day. When my doctor suggested I try it, I was worried about the side effects of feeling groggy the next day, but I was pleasantly surprised! I no longer have trouble waking in the middle of the night and if I do wake up, I usually have no trouble falling back asleep. I wake up refreshed with no groggy side effects. I have been taking this medication for probably a year now. Interestingly, I have also found that on occasion when I forget to take it, I find that very rarely do I have trouble falling asleep and usually sleep well through the night."

• JPS...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 16, 2018

For Anxiety "My 13-year-old had such severe anxiety that she regularly refused to go to school. After taking Trazodone (50mg each night), her anxiety, hypersensitivity, and morning vomiting stopped. She is now 15 and a very easy teenager in comparison to most. She is happy, has lots of friends, and is getting good grades in school. She has a tougher skin and a maturity I never thought would come. This medication and a lot of love saved this girl. She is a little groggy in the morning, but a cup of iced coffee easily fixes the fatigue."

• Eil...
• November 8, 2016

For Insomnia "I have suffered from insomnia for years since going through menopause. I used to have to have a couple of glasses of wine to fall asleep. Without that, I would stay up all night reading, trying to get tired and would wind up finishing an entire book. I have been taking this medication for about a month, and it's working as prescribed for me. I get drowsy after 30 minutes or so and sleep through the night. I wake up energized and ready to go. I hope it continues to perform as desired. I think I can agree with the dreams, no nightmares, just dreams which I remember to some degree. I sleep so well that I don't move unless my dog does... LOL"

• gap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2019

For Fibromyalgia "Trazodone has given me a much improved life with fibromyalgia. I have to say Wow, Yay, and Wahoo! My fibromyalgia was diagnosed over 25 years ago (not widely recognized as a legitimate medical condition back then). Also, I had back injuries during government employment. Because of both, I took ibuprofen 600-1200 mg and acetaminophen 1500 mg daily to function normally. Post-bariatric surgery, I couldn't take NSAIDs. For the dual pain control, 15 years ago I was prescribed Norco 3/25 mg daily (after 5 years increased to 3/50 mg) as needed (still fits my pain management needs). Depression increased > Venlafaxine ER 300 mg/day. Anxiety increased > Xanax 0.25 mg x2 daily as needed. Chronic insomnia > OTC sleep aids ineffective (2 hrs - 6 hrs very interrupted). One month ago, my doctor prescribed, at bedtime, Trazodone 50 mg to increase to 200 mg. Now, 100 mg/1 hour before sleep is the dose. Depression gone - the sun's shining. Anxiety - much less. Insomnia - sleep 6-8 hrs, no grogginess. Pain levels - same, but more psychologically manageable."

• Tex...
• October 5, 2014

For Insomnia "My daughter has suffered from insomnia (waking up in the middle of the night and not going back to sleep) for 2 years. Natural remedies didn't work well, nor did Benadryl. She finally tried trazodone at 25 mg at 11 pm. She slept very soundly, but she felt very sedated (couldn't function) until 3:30 the next day. The next night she tried 12.5 mg, woke up at 8:30, and wasn't completely alert until 11 am. She tried 12.5 mg again last night, was too tired to wake at 8, got up at 8:30, and was fully alert by 10. Tonight she'll try less than 1/4 pill so that she can wake up at 7:30 and be fully alert by 8:30 or 9. She weighs 110 pounds and most prescription meds make her extremely drowsy."

• Tex...
• October 5, 2014

For Insomnia "My daughter has suffered from insomnia (waking up in the middle of the night and not going back to sleep) for 2 years. Natural remedies didn't work well, nor did Benadryl. She finally tried trazodone at 25 mg at 11 pm. She slept very soundly, but she felt very sedated (couldn't function) until 3:30 the next day. The next night she tried 12.5 mg, woke up at 8:30, and wasn't completely alert until 11 am. She tried 12.5 mg again last night, was too tired to wake at 8, got up at 8:30, and was fully alert by 10. Tonight she'll try less than 1/4 pill so that she can wake up at 7:30 and be fully alert by 8:30 or 9. She weighs 110 pounds and most prescription meds make her extremely drowsy."

• Kra...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 12, 2017

For Insomnia "I have been taking trazodone for almost 6 years. It is a lifesaver for me. After trying most of the benzos, Ambien, Restoril, Seroquel, melatonin, and anything else the docs could throw at me, I was offered this. I had gone years sleeping 1-2 hours a night with a quick cat nap for a couple of minutes here and there. Started at 25mg and I'm now at 75mg. Some random grogginess first thing in the morning. Full 8 hours of sleep, but aware enough to hear one of the kids if they need me. I believe this med is just like any other. While it may work for some, it may be horrible for others. Just as I have failed some and they have worked terrifically for others. It's trial and error, and there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to any medication."

• C_F...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 23, 2015

For Insomnia "I was prescribed this a year ago after experiencing sudden insomnia. The insomnia never went away and aggravated my Bipolar II and literally put me into psychosis due to lack of sleep. At first, I was given Lorazepam but decided I didn't want to stay on it forever due to dependency issues. After beginning Trazodone, I noticed an AMAZING transformation immediately. I slept like a baby. I had to up my dose from 50mg (starting dosage) to 100mg, to 150mg, to 200mg. Anything after 150mg was way too sedating for me, and the hangover was pretty awful. I am back to 100mg, where I have been for just about a year now, and I couldn't be happier. This medication changed my life."

• Sha...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 15, 2020

For Depression "I've been taking trazodone for many years for depression, anxiety, and it also helps to minimize or eliminate thought disturbances, and of course, it helps you sleep. So this medication does a lot, and overall I will say that it has been working for me. However, I do not like taking this med as it sedates you so much it's hard to wake up out of it. This is the one medication I wish I could wean myself off of. Sometimes I skip a dose or two, but cannot get too far from it as I will start having symptoms of depression and anxiety again. So I'm pretty much dependent on it."

• Anonymous
• October 3, 2013

For Insomnia "Taken 30 minutes before bedtime, 50mg of Trazodone made me extremely drowsy. I probably fell asleep rather quickly, but I tossed and turned throughout the night! I also experienced very strange dreams. Twelve hours after taking the medication, I awoke feeling very groggy, off-balanced, and had a headache; hangover feeling."

• Anonymous
• October 3, 2013

For Insomnia "Taken 30 minutes before bedtime, 50mg of Trazodone made me extremely drowsy. I probably fell asleep rather quickly, but I tossed and turned throughout the night! I also experienced very strange dreams. Twelve hours after taking the medication, I awoke feeling very groggy, off-balanced, and had a headache; hangover feeling."

• Ano...
• April 17, 2013

For Sedation "I've been on trazodone for a month now, and I take 100mg as needed for sleep. I love that I can actually fall asleep within 20 minutes and stay asleep, but it's impossible for me to wake up. I've slept through alarm clocks, roommates coming into my room, and the smoke detector going off. It puts me in a really deep sleep for a minimum of 10-12 hours. That's my only downside with it. You feel great in the morning, but I've missed work and a few classes because of it."

• OUg...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 10, 2013

For Insomnia "Was prescribed 50 mg as a sleep aid. Been taking it for 6 years without having to change the dosage. Works great, I always am able to get to sleep and stay asleep. Occasionally wake up drowsy if I take it too late or don't get at least 6-6 1/2 hrs of sleep. Other than that, no side effects that I can speak of. Would recommend."

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2016

For Depression "I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 2 months ago although I feel I've had it for 8 years. For the past 8 years, I've woken up miserably tired, so tired that it's unbearable and has made my life very difficult, major brain fog, extremely sensitive, lots of anxiety. This led to depression. Although I knock out every night, the doctor put me on trazodone to improve my quality of sleep. I started off at 25 mg, was groggy for three days ALL day even with coffee, so I decided to cut it and am now on 15 mg, and today marks 14 days on it. I never wake up during the night. I wake up sleepy but ready to go! Unlike every other morning the past 8 years where I could barely function. I'm less anxious, I feel happier, and am extremely thankful."

• mam...
• September 17, 2014

For Insomnia "I go through often occasions of insomnia, and I take 50-100 mg of Trazodone, usually after a few nights with no sleep because I don't like how groggy it leaves me feeling in the morning, but it really does help me sleep. It kicks in within an hour for me, though sometimes it can still take me a few hours to actually fall asleep, but I always do. I don't think it gives me more nightmares, but I do have very vivid dreams. All in all it does its job and will keep taking it."

• Nur...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 30, 2015

For Insomnia "After suffering from insomnia since I was a child, I have tried many medications, home remedies, and nothing really helped. When I was in nursing school, it only became worse. I went to see my doctor, he recommended Seroquel. I was on Seroquel for about a year, and I hated it: horrible nightmares, groggy feeling, not sleeping, irritable, and it worsened my bipolar symptoms. When I told him I was not taking Seroquel anymore, he gave me Trazodone. It worked right away, I sleep as a 'normal' person does (8 hours). This medication has really changed my life with sleeping more and mood swings under control. I have been taking it for a few years now."

• wea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 29, 2014

For Insomnia "I take 200mg of trazodone and 3mg eszopiclone (Lunesta) every night and have for the past 2 years. My trouble is not falling asleep but rather being able to stay asleep. If I didn't use medication, I would only sleep 3-4 hours a night. I believe the trazodone does make me groggy, but the sleep is most important. Those who say it causes nightmares or crazy dreams, this is true, but those cease after a week or two on the medication."

• Rev...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 26, 2019

For Insomnia "This trazodone has been a lifesaver for my insomnia - I had no problem going to sleep but would wake every 30 minutes with nightmares. It got to the point I dreaded falling asleep. After a few weeks, I had sleep deprivation and all the hell that came with it. I tried OTC meds and hydroxyzine, but they only knocked me out for a couple of hours with no restful sleep, and I felt terrible waking. Not only did trazodone help me to stay asleep, it also calmed my dreams and gave me good, restful sleep. Side effects for me are a stuffy nose off and on and slightly drowsy upon waking, which goes away after my morning coffee. I feel tons better now compared to the zombie-like shell of myself before."

• Fib...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 8, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "Some reviewers are commenting that Trazodone 'does nothing' for their fibromyalgia and only helps them sleep. Yet, insomnia is a HUGE part of the illness! For me, pain is the most crucial factor keeping me from sleeping. However, I find that when I sleep, I have a much better day afterward-usually with less pain. [It's a cycle.] I look forward to my quality of life continuing to improve. I have used a much lower dose of Trazodone in the past, and it worked excellently for sleep. This time, I've had to take 150 mg (plus muscle relaxers sometimes). I need and plan for 10 hours of sleep. Sometimes I wake up feeling great. When I awaken groggy, it wears off after a while and is usually because I didn't go to bed early enough."

• CTa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 19, 2018

For Insomnia "Trazodone was prescribed for insomnia and depression. I started off with 50 mg at bedtime but tapered back to 25 mg (halved the pill) because my short-term memory was a little on the blink. Since I lowered the dose, all is well. I’ve had no depression (believe me when I say I’ve tried all the antidepressants). I get sleepy within 30 minutes, I’ve slept all night 90% of the time. Morning drowsiness minimal, especially after coffee. Happy user so far. First-ever review!! I’m in my early 60s."

• iha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2015

For Anxiety "I've been using this drug for about 4 months to help combat insomnia and anxiety, and it works, but not in the best way... For insomnia, this is the ONLY drug that manages to knock me out for about 8 or 9 hours straight, but when you wake up the next morning, prepare to feel groggy and disoriented for at least 5 hours the next day, which is way too long to feel this way, IMHO. For anxiety, you don't feel ANY anxiety while on this drug, but that's because this drug makes you so groggy and tired that you can't really think of anything while on this drug. My advice, take this drug ONLY occasionally, not every night like I did. I'm quitting this drug tonight."