trazodone, drug used to treat depression and to induce sedation in persons with certain anxiety disorders and sleep disorders. Trazodone works by causing an increase in levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps maintain mental balance. Trazodone is taken orally, typically starting at a low dose, with dosage gradually being increased until the desired effects are experienced.
Trazodone was developed by Italian pharmaceutical company Angelini Research Laboratories in the 1960s and was subsequently patented in many countries. In 1981 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved trazodone specifically for the treatment of depression. The drug later gained various off-label (non-approved) uses, including in the treatment of anxiety, bulimia, chronic pain, dementia, fibromyalgia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep disorders, and recovery from alcohol abuse.
Trazodone is associated with a number of side effects. Relatively mild side effects include nausea, vomiting, changes in appetite, weight loss or weight gain, muscle pain, dry mouth, dizziness, blurred vision, itching, skin rashes, and constipation. Some patients experience light to moderate impairment after taking trazodone. Suicidal thoughts can occur, especially at the start of treatment and when dosage is changed. If trazodone is taken with other medications that also increase serotonin levels, a condition known as serotonin syndrome may develop. If left untreated, severe serotonin syndrome can cause death; milder forms of the syndrome can be treated by stopping medications until serotonin decreases to a safe level.