Trazodone
Trazodone is an antidepressant most frequently prescribed at low doses for insomnia. It is non-habit-forming, does not require tapering in the way that benzodiazepine sleep medications do, and is well-tolerated for most people.
Most clients pay around $25 per session with insurance.
At antidepressant doses (150–400mg), trazodone treats depression by affecting serotonin. At lower doses (25–100mg), it is heavily used off-label for sleep — and it is one of the most commonly prescribed sleep aids in the US. Its sedating properties come without the dependence risks of benzodiazepines.
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Komal Nathani
MD, Psychiatrist
Dr. Nathani works with clients on medication management that considers both clinical need and personal values, including conversations around fasting, stigma, and family concerns about psychiatric care.
Adam Butera
MD Psychiatrist
Dr. Butera provides thoughtful psychiatric evaluations and medication management, taking each client's full life, including their faith and values, into account when building a treatment plan.
Real questions. Honest answers.
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While trazodone is an antidepressant, it is most frequently prescribed at low doses as a sleep aid. It is among the most widely used medications for insomnia in the US.
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No — trazodone is not a controlled substance and does not cause physical dependence or tolerance in the way benzodiazepine sleep aids do.
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Trazodone's sedating effects are typically felt within 30–60 minutes of taking it. It is usually taken 30 minutes before bedtime.
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Morning grogginess (especially at higher doses), dry mouth, dizziness, and blurred vision are most common. Starting at a low dose helps manage these.
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In rare cases, trazodone can cause priapism — a prolonged, painful erection unrelated to sexual arousal. This is a medical emergency. If it occurs, seek emergency care immediately.
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Many people take it nightly for months or years without developing tolerance or dependence — a key advantage over benzodiazepine sleep aids.
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At full antidepressant doses (150–400mg), trazodone is effective for depression, though it is used less often for this purpose than newer antidepressants.
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Book a free consult at Salam Space. Our psychiatrists will assess your sleep and mood symptoms and determine whether trazodone is the right fit.