Trazodone and Dry Mouth: What Users Say

• Fel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2020

For Insomnia "I started trazodone at 150mg for insomnia on April 22. The side effects I experienced were dry mouth, mild headache, dizziness, nervousness, and shakiness. I told my primary doctor about it, so he lowered my dose to 100mg after three weeks. I’ve been on the new dose since May 15, and I still feel the same side effects. I actually feel my anxiety getting worse as I wake up in a panic, and I can feel my heart beating fast. I love that I’m able to sleep, but I hate the side effects. I really don’t want to take it anymore, but I’m scared of stopping it. Anyone else experiencing this? Please help."

• Bni...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 6, 2019

For Anxiety "I decided to share my experience because maybe someone somewhere is going through this. I was prescribed trazodone 50mg for anxiety and depression, eventually my doses went up to 100mg and 150mg a day. The drug would sedate me, put me to sleep. When I woke up, my anxiety was 10 times worse. I was scared, my depression increased. Daily life activities stopped for months, I became scared of living or taking care of my child. I had extremely bad brain fog, dry mouth, sleep terrors, nightmares that would last hours, heart palpitations, but the worst feeling of all was the increased anxiety, the feeling that I had some underlying medical condition that the doctor couldn't find, dizziness, shortness of breath, and suicidal thoughts, feeling like I would never get better. All along it was the trazodone."

• Mid...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2020

For Anxiety "I’m a 45-year-old female who suffers from mild anxiety and mild depression but is also going through perimenopause. I went to my doctor suffering from insomnia due to night sweats from mid-life body changes but also from anxiety. Hormonal imbalances affect sleep. No fun, but it is what it is. I was prescribed trazodone and take 50 mg 2 weeks during the month, and I sleep like a baby. I do get dry mouth, but an easy side effect to live with. The first night I took it, my heartbeat a bit weird but did not the 2nd night on. Additionally, it has dialed down my anxiety and depression to barely noticeable levels. I think of it as Diet Lexapro."

• 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."

• Lyn...
• October 2, 2014

For Insomnia "I've been taking trazodone for about five years, and it works great for me. At one point, my dose was up to 200mg, but I decided to taper it back slowly because I felt that it was too much. I still get the same effect from just 100mg now. My only annoying side effect is that it sometimes really dries out my mucous membranes (mouth and nose), especially my nose. It's hard for me to fall asleep because I have to breathe through my mouth."

• Gar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2014

For Anxiety "I have been suffering from generalized anxiety disorder for the last 10 years, on and off many antidepressants. I have been on citalopram/SSRI for about the last 5 years, but it never did the job thoroughly and I felt that is as good as it's ever going to get. I started Trazodone 2 days ago, and I feel like a new person. Anxiety down by an immense amount, confidence levels boosted beyond what I've ever felt. I am combining it with the citalopram, however, as always medication affects every individual differently. Just a matter of trial and error. Only side effects so far are dry mouth, and slightly impaired concentration. But they are MINOR compared to the anxiety I used to have."

• anx...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 5, 2016

For Sedation "I was prescribed 1/2 to 2 tablets of 50 mg Trazodone to help with my disturbed sleep, and it has been a miracle! I do not know how long it has been that I have slept at least 7 hours straight without waking up several times during the night. I also have anxiety and depression and have been prescribed Effexor. The combination of these two drugs has helped tremendously thus far. It has only been a week, and I have had very mild side effects of headache, nausea, and dry mouth. Those are slowly dissipating and becoming less and less. I used to wake up with this worry feeling in the pit of my stomach, in a head fog, and fatigued. So far, those feelings have gone away. My personal problems haven't gone away, but I am able to handle them."

• dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2013

For Anxiety "I have been on this medication for two months, and it is a lifesaver. I take 50mg twice a day for anxiety, and 200mg before sleep for insomnia. Now, I sleep 8-10 hours every night. The only side effect for me is a little dry mouth, and that is no big deal for me, especially with how well the 50mg twice a day handles my anxiety."

• jan...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 26, 2012

For Depression "I have been taking trazodone for 6 years now. The only side effect I get is a dry mouth so always take a drink to bed. It works so well because I don't have to lie in bed for hours with all the things going round and round my head. My dosage varies from 50 mg to 150 mg depending on how bad my depression is. I also have a friend who used to drink heavily who started taking trazodone and he hardly drinks at all now."

• Klg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 31, 2019

For Anxiety "I am on 150 mg of Zoloft per day to help me with anxiety. It helps. However, the 100 mg tablet of trazodone that I take nightly to help me sleep is a godsend! It stops my racing thoughts and feelings of panic. And now I sleep between six and seven hours per night. Such a relief. I hope it can help you too. By the way, I do get dry mouth. For myself, I feel it is a small price to pay for peace and rest. Do know that trazodone can have drug interactions with some people."

• Anonymous
• June 18, 2013

For Insomnia "I've had trouble sleeping since I was a kid, especially in unfamiliar places or when other people were around. Over the past few years, I've taken Benadryl or Ambien most nights, but neither helped me when I wasn't sleeping in my own bed or was very stressed about something. Even when I could fall asleep, I'd toss and turn all night, and every little sound or movement would wake me up. Trazodone has been great for me. I did suffer from dry mouth and vivid dreams at the beginning, but those side effects have tapered off for me. For the first time in my life, I don't worry about being able to fall and stay asleep."

• Anonymous
• July 14, 2009

For Sedation "I went and saw my doctor yesterday about my problem getting to sleep and staying asleep. I had assumed she would prescribe Ambien, but instead, she prescribed this 50mg of Trazodone. I took it for the first time last night and I have to say I was out within half an hour, but I did wake several times in the night, but luckily, I was able to fall right back to sleep. I did experience slight dry mouth, which was to be expected. I'm hoping it continues to work well, and hopefully tonight I won't wake up so often. The doctor did say that when I see her again in 2 weeks, she can always up the dose... so we'll see."

• Anonymous
• June 4, 2009

For Insomnia "I like the Trazodone, it works for me. When I first started taking it, I woke up with a dry mouth, but it is better now. I am like others, if I don't take it, I don't sleep. I have been taking it for 4 years now at 150mg. So I would say just keep taking it - the side effects do go away."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 2, 2020

For Insomnia "My physician prescribed trazodone for my insomnia beginning in June 2020. I was always able to fall asleep with no problem, but staying asleep was difficult. I was waking about 4-5 times a night for unknown reasons. I was really hoping that trazodone would help me stay asleep. I never took more than 50 mg at one time because of the reported side effects at higher doses. Unfortunately, the drug did not help me stay asleep. But it did cause a terrible case of dry mouth, which woke me up off and on all night to drink water. I also had some blurry vision problems in the mornings, which went away by noon. So I discontinued the drug. The dry mouth and blurry vision went away immediately. I am going to give trazodone a fair rating because I am certain it works for some people, just not for me. Good luck to the others who try it."

• Aid...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 29, 2023

For Insomnia "Trazodone is the only medication that works for my insomnia. I had to come off benzos after having been prescribed them for years. I wanted to come off because I read how damaging they are to the body in general. It was a very difficult process, but trazodone made it possible. I’ve tried everything out there for anxiety and insomnia. Those conditions lead to depression too. SSRIs made me suicidal, paranoid, and angry. Trazodone helped me sleep, and that helped with everything else! I started at 50 mg, now I take 100 mg at night. I’ve been on it for several years. I have few side effects apart from dry mouth and morning fog. There was no “adjustment period” like with SSRIs. I don’t know why this is the only med that I can tolerate, but I’m grateful that I have this option. Everyone is different. Some people respond better to SSRIs, SNRIs, etc., but that wasn’t the case for me. Trazodone saved my sanity. Take 30-60 minutes before bed because it will make you drowsy."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 17, 2015

For Fibromyalgia "I have been on trazodone for over 7 years. My doctor prescribed this to me to help me get a good night's sleep because my fibromyalgia wouldn't let me sleep through the night. It isn't intended to help with fibro pain, just to help fall asleep and stay asleep. I have had to up the dosage over the years, but I have no major side effects, except dry mouth. I can't possibly sleep without it. I also figured out that if I work out (my fibro is in my shoulders and neck) and exhaust those muscles so that they are too tired to burn, my symptoms are kept at bay."

• sna...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 17, 2013

For Insomnia "Just upped to 2 x 100 mg, taken 1/2 hr before bed gives me about 2 extra hours of sleep. Calms me down and lets me go to sleep when the lights are out. Very minor side effects... some dry mouth and a little 'larger' in the morning. I wake up refreshed. It improved my quality of life for sure."

• mjc...
• February 15, 2011

For Anxiety "Trazodone works great for me. I was put on Prozac for anxiety/depression issues, and Trazodone also for my anxiety-related sleep issues. I've been using it for about 8 months now. I take 50mg every night, and I sleep great through the night and feel great the next day. Sometimes if I've had too much caffeine during the day or have something really important happening the next day, I'll take a whole pill (100mg). The 100mg does make me a little drowsy, but it usually wears off by mid-morning. When I first started taking it, I did get dry mouth and had some stomach problems (which could have been caused by the Prozac), but those went away after the first month. It has really helped my anxiety levels and ensures I get a good night's sleep."

• Min...
• September 24, 2008

For Insomnia "My Pain doctor suggested I try this medicine since I was having major insomnia due to flashbacks (PTSD). It is working GREAT. Mood has improved, I sleep great and the memories/bad thoughts have gone. Side effects were minimal with dry mouth but after using an OTC mouth rinse, that side effect was alleviated."

• Anonymous
• May 29, 2013

For Insomnia "Been on it for over a year. I take 0-100 mg a night as needed, but typically it's 100. After the first two weeks, I've had few side effects (at first, there was dry mouth and headaches, as my body adjusted to it). Once I take it, I have to keep myself occupied for an hour or two, not yet trying to sleep, but still relaxing, watching TV, reading, etc., until the medicine takes effect. When that happens, it's very clear. I can pretty much shut my eyes and fall asleep within minutes. The only downside is that my already detailed and abundant nightmares are very much heightened and are often disturbing, which makes me wake up feeling disturbed but not drowsy. Would recommend."

• ken...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2019

For Insomnia "My doctor explained it to me as the drug is primarily meant to treat anxiety, not insomnia, and sleepiness is just a side effect, and it shows - my consistency of sleep is quite low. I've been using the pill for 6 nights now, and the hours of sleep each so far have been approximately 9, 3, 5, 7, 9, 6, so all across the board. Other downsides are dry mouth, grogginess, and a slight headache in the morning. However, I am still overall satisfied with the drug because I am collectively still getting way more sleep than when I wasn't on it (about 2-3 hours of sleep each night). If you're like me and your problem is a high-wired, overthinking, won't turn off brain at night, results are best when you leave a buffer time of about 2 hours to do nothing but just relax and wind down."

• Buc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2016

For Insomnia "Doctor prescribed this after a bad reaction to Zoloft. Minus the dry mouth, I am having great results. I take 50 mg. I am able to get to sleep easily. I still dream, but it has greatly reduced the tossing, turning, and night terrors. I wake up refreshed, which is helping to reduce my depression as well. I have none of the dizzy spells or groggy feelings. This is much better than the Ambien I was on years ago."

• So...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 6, 2017

For Insomnia "I took trazodone for nearly 15 years to help me sleep and loved it. I fell asleep within 30 minutes and didn't feel crummy the next day. After all of that time, I suddenly had a side effect that I couldn't stand and had to get off of it. Every time I took it, I suddenly felt completely congested and couldn't breathe through my nose. (This is a rare side effect listed with this medication). My mouth would be so dry, and sometimes I'd even wake up feeling like I was choking. I'm so grateful it worked for so long and wish I could still take it. I can't find that same rest with anything else I've been trying."

• Han...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 14, 2021

For Depression "I managed to go ten years without taking anything, then my restless leg started up terribly in the evening, resulting in a major lack of sleep. My sleep pattern went out the window. I was prescribed a dose of 150 mg, but I only take 100 mg a night and so keep a few spare trazodone for if ever I feel my dose needs upping. I’ve been taking 100 mg trazodone for about 6 months now. My restless leg almost stopped immediately. Once you get over the initial first few weeks and let the trazodone get into your system, it works amazingly well. I take 100 mg about 30 minutes before sleep. I have bipolar too and occasional depression, with anxiety and mood swings. The trazodone has completely calmed all that side of me down and definitely helps with sleep. The first few weeks can be tough with headaches, dry mouth, and brain fog. But once it’s in your system, it worked for me very well."

• Rac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 3, 2016

For Insomnia "I have insomnia, it's horrible. My story begins with my PCP prescribing me Prozac to help with intestinal issues. Because I was desperate, I tried it. I was on it for 3 weeks. Stopped because of insomnia. Then I was prescribed Ativan, it knocked me out but was very addicting. I had rebound insomnia. Then after about 14 days of hardly any sleep, I tried the doctor one more time. I asked him about trazodone. He told me that it was a good medication for insomnia. He put me on 25 mg, but stated I may have to figure out what dosage is best for me. I am currently taking 100 mg, which is on the low range of what is prescribed, 400 mg being at the high end for insomnia. I have dry mouth and nasal congestion. I can live with that, I sleep now, yeah..."