Author: James Anderson

To Minimize Medication Withdrawal, Taper Slowly

how to wean off of trazodone

Anyone who wants to stop taking Trazodone and wishes to avoid harsh discontinuation syndrome symptoms should work with drug abuse medical professionals. While it is possible to stop use by going cold turkey, it is not advisable. A drug rehab center can offer the assistance needed to get clean without feeling miserable. While in rehab, a personalized approach to a patient’s needs and a more coherent treatment course during recovery will be provided.

A trazodone taper program can help you quit using the drug safely and comfortably. If you’ve mixed this antidepressant with other drugs (like opioids), you may need a detox program instead. Addiction Resource does not offer medical diagnosis, treatment, or advice.

How Do You Taper Pristiq (Desvenlafaxine)?

A few years back, Mark Horowitz, M.D., wondered if the fatigue, memory, and concentration issues he had started to experience were due to his antidepressant therapy. He decided to wean off his medication, and as a doctor with psychiatric training, Horowitz decided he was comfortable handling the medication taper on his own. He knew the clinical consensus was that antidepressants could be tapered to zero over a period of about four weeks with minimal risk.

  1. DBT also helps clients identify negative influences in their lives and learn how to develop healthy coping skills.
  2. So, for patients who are having a hard time dealing with the proper use of the drug, it is advised to contact and consider professional intervention as soon as possible to alleviate this discontinuation syndrome.
  3. CBT also helps clients find solutions to triggers that might encourage drug use.
  4. AddictionResource fact-checks all the information before publishing and uses only credible and trusted sources when citing any medical data.

Trazodone is an antidepressant that works by increasing the amount of serotonin in your brain, according to MedlinePlus. You can only obtain trazodone after you have been properly diagnosed and received a prescription from a doctor. But if experienced by someone who suffered from Desyrel and weight gain without needing to increase their body mass, it could be welcomed.

Expert Tips for Successful Trazodone Tapering

In addition to this, according to the Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines in Psychiatry, tapering the dose for months can reduce this relapse. When used for insomnia (i.e. to help you fall asleep), the doses used are generally lower than those that are used for depression. This likely will make it easier to discontinue as withdrawal symptoms tend to be less severe when lower doses have been used. The advantage of going to a detox center is that medical assistance is readily available. When it comes to antidepressants, a tailored weaning-off program is often necessary as suddenly ceasing use can be dangerous. A detox center will place you in comfortable surroundings where you can be assured of help in an emergency.

how to wean off of trazodone

Withdrawal symptoms and their severity can vary significantly from person to person. Researchers say some factors increase the chance of a difficult withdrawal process. Addiction to trazodone and other antidepressants is rare, but if this is why you want to quit using the medication, your doctor can provide you with assistance.

Only trained and licensed medical professionals can provide such services. If you or anyone you know is undergoing a severe health crisis, call a doctor or 911 immediately. The best way to prevent Trazodone withdrawal is by taking the medication in accordance with the instructions of a medical doctor.

One study recommends a tapering duration of around four weeks if you have been taking the drug for more than six weeks. It is also important to know that tapering may not eliminate the risk of withdrawal symptoms occurring. Not only is it dangerous because of the way the drug affects key brain chemicals, but complications and uncomfortable side effects can also occur during withdrawal. Detoxing from trazodone is best done safely under medical supervision, where clinicians can keep you safe and comfortable.

Standard Outpatient Programs

If your depression symptoms have abated, you are less likely to develop depression in the future. AddictionResource aims to present the most accurate, trustworthy, and up-to-date medical content to our readers. Our team does their best for our readers to help them stay informed about vital healthcare decisions. Calls to our general hotline may be answered by private treatment providers.

If they do occur, they can begin in as little as a few days from the time you start your dose reduction and can last from days to weeks. Nevertheless, withdrawal symptoms can happen to anyone, especially if you have been taking the drug over four to six weeks (which you have). You can also find a list of treatment centers near you on our website to help get you on the path to recovery.

Can You Stop Trazodone Abruptly?

This can include people, situations, or circumstances that can prompt a desire to take drugs. Boca Recovery Center is here to provide the best quality care in the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction. Symptoms last until brain cells begin functioning normally, and that can take a long time. Antidepressants like trazodone alter chemicals used by critical brain cells. Remember that your goal is to remain from free depression symptoms for as long as possible. Your doctor can assist you in finding other courses of treatment if you want to stop using trazodone to manage depression.

There is no single recommended way to properly taper trazodone and the approach utilized should be based on a discussion with your doctor. For most individuals, decreasing your dose by 10-25% per week, and adjust based on your symptoms, is commonly recommended. As trazodone can cause withdrawal reactions, for most individuals, it is a good idea to slowly taper you dose before discontinuing, rather than stopping “cold-turkey”. Tapering your trazodone can help reduce the risk of withdrawal reactions. While antidepressants can be useful for those struggling with depression, they can also be abused. Some people experience a rush or high due to serotonin buildup and keep using the drug to keep the good feelings going.