Trazodone has a
Brand name: Raldesy (discontinued: Desyrel, Oleptro, Trialodine)
Generic name: Trazodone
Medication class: Serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (serotonin modulator)
Dosage forms: Tablet, solution (some are only available as a generic)
FDA-approved uses: Major depressive disorder (MDD)
Highlights
- Trazodone is a serotonin modulating medicine used to treat depression. It can only be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional.
- Trazodone has specific side effects and risks. Remember to discuss them with your physician before starting treatment.
- MEDvidi has licensed healthcare providers in several states who are able to prescribe trazodone online if deemed clinically necessary.
What Is Trazodone?
Trazodone is a serotonin modulator that is FDA-approved to treat major depressive disorder (MDD). More specifically, trazodone is a
Trazodone has been available as several brand names: Desyrel, Oleptro, Raldesy, and Trialodine. Raldesy is a liquid formulation and the only brand name that is still available as the others have been discontinued.
Do You Need a Prescription for Trazodone?
Trazodone is a prescription medication, meaning that it is only available with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. It is not available over-the-counter (OTC). It is important that you keep in touch with a healthcare provider who writes you a prescription and monitors your treatment with trazodone. This is because there can be side effects, interactions with other medications, and questions to make sure you are receiving the correct dose. It’s important to also note that buying a prescription medication online without a prescription is unsafe and illegal.
How to Get a Trazodone Prescription Online (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Create an Account and Book an Online Appointment With a Licensed Provider
Healthcare providers at MEDvidi are able to prescribe trazodone online depending on the patient’s health needs. To get started, sign up on the platform and book an appointment with a licensed healthcare provider at a time slot of your choice. Same- and next-day appointments are also available.
Step 2: Prepare for the Consultation
Before your appointment, take a few steps to prepare and fill out your intake questionnaire properly:
- List your symptoms so you will be ready to describe them to your healthcare provider.
- Prepare a list of current medications, allergies, and relevant medical history to help your healthcare provider make an appropriate treatment choice.
- Prepare a list of questions for your healthcare provider. These may be about potential side effects, how long the medication takes to work, possibility of switching treatment options, and anything else you may want to know.
Step 3: Undergo Evaluation and Receive a Treatment Plan
During your appointment, be sure to discuss with your provider your symptoms, medical history, your goals of treatment, and any previous attempts to manage depression. From their evaluation, the provider will diagnose your condition and determine if trazodone is the most appropriate and safe treatment for your symptoms.
Other treatment options may also be discussed, be it other depression medications, talk therapy, or self-help techniques. Be sure to ask as many questions as you need.
Step 4: Receive Your Prescription and Pick Up Medication
If trazodone is the most suitable choice for you, a healthcare provider will write you a prescription online and send it digitally to a pharmacy of your choice. You can monitor the status of your prescription in your Personal Portal.
Step 5: Continue With Follow-Ups and Adjustments
Regular follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider are important in order to monitor your health patterns, receive prescription refills, and adjust your treatment plan over time. MEDvidi offers ongoing virtual care, so you can get all your questions answered throughout your online depression treatment process.
Not all consultations result in a trazodone prescription. The decision is made by your clinician, and your safety is their priority. A prescription is given if medically appropriate.
Who Can Prescribe Trazodone?
Trazodone is not a controlled substance in the United States, which means it can be prescribed by many types of healthcare providers. The specific types of providers who can prescribe trazodone may vary from state to state.
In the US, licensed healthcare professionals who may be able to prescribe trazodone include:
- Psychiatrists
- Medical Doctors (MD)
- Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
- Primary Care Physicians
- Neurologists
- Nurse Practitioners (NP)
- Physician Assistants (PA)
How to Take Trazodone Safely
One of the most important things is to take trazodone exactly as prescribed. In people with MDD, trazodone is typically dosed at 150 mg per day. This dose may be split into several doses throughout the day. The dose may also be increased by 50 mg per day every 3 to 4 days if needed to control symptoms. The maximum dose is usually 400 mg per day unless you are hospitalized.
Here are a few more recommendations for safe treatment:
- If a dose is missed, it must be taken as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and stay with the regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose.
- Store trazodone in a safe and dark place, preferably locked, and do not give the medication to anyone else.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Avoid self-medication.
- Tell your healthcare provider if you’ve had any mental health problems in the past.
- Inform a healthcare provider about any side effects.
- Contact a healthcare provider immediately if you experience any thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
- Visit
FDA.gov/drugdisposal[3] for specific instructions on how to dispose of trazodone.
Common and Serious Side Effects
Trazodone comes with specific side effects and risks. The most common side effects of trazodone include:
- Fluid retention or swelling of your arms and legs
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness or tiredness
- Diarrhea
- Stuffy nose or common cold symptoms
- Weight loss
Serious side effects of Trazodone can include:
- Serotonin syndrome
- Heart problems, including an irregular or fast heartbeat or a condition called QT prolongation
- Low blood pressure
- Unusual bruising or bleeding
- Erection lasting longer than 6 hours (priapism)
- Manic episodes, such as feeling very high or in a very good mood and then becoming irritable or feeling like you have too much energy
- Visual problems such as eye pain or changes in vision
- Low salt (sodium) in your blood
- Withdrawal symptoms
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about all possible side effects as well as any side effects you experience while taking trazodone.
Who Should Not Take Trazodone
Make sure to talk with your healthcare provider about your entire medical history and any other prescription or over-the-counter medications, supplements, or herbs you are taking. Trazodone is not safe for everyone; this information will be important for them to know so that they can make sure trazodone is safe for you.
Certain people may need more monitoring or should not take trazodone. Make sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have previously had any of the following:
- Take a certain kind of antidepressant medication called an monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
- Heart problems, including a previous heart attack or you or any of your family members having QT prolongation
- Bipolar disorder
- Liver problems
- Kidney problems
- Other serious medical conditions
- Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
- Are breastfeeding
It is important that you attend all appointments so your medical provider can regularly follow up on your treatment.
Cost of Trazodone
The cost of trazodone can vary significantly by pharmacy and location and depending on whether you are looking for a brand or generic version. Note that all brand names of trazodone have been discontinued except for Raldesy, the oral solution.
Thirty 50 mg tablets of generic trazodone cost from $8 to $23. At the same time, a similar amount of Raldesy costs between $378 to $406. Certain websites like GoodRx and WellRx offer coupons and discount cards that can significantly reduce this price. Trazoodone is often covered by insurance, and costs may vary depending on your insurance plan. Telehealth visits for trazodone may or may not be covered by insurance. Talk with your pharmacist or insurance company to learn about the costs associated with your plan.
Alternatives to Trazodone
There are several types of medications that are also prescribed for depression. These can include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), atypical antidepressants, MAOIs, and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), among others.
Trazodone is also prescribed off-label for insomnia, and there are other medications that may also be used to treat sleep issues.These can include benzodiazepines like Xanax, non-benzodiazepines like Ambien, melatonin receptor agonists, or a new class of medications called orexin receptor antagonists.
A healthcare provider may prescribe a certain medication for various reasons; for example, they may be safer for someone with a certain health history or have a lower risk of side effects. It’s important to consult with your healthcare provider about all options as well as all over-the-counter and prescription medications, supplements, and herbs you are taking or plan to take while taking trazodone.
Bottom Line
Trazodone is a medication that treats depression and can only be obtained with a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare professional. It’s important to carefully follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations, attend all follow-up appointments, and be aware of any potential adverse effects. If you get trazodone prescribed online at MEDvidi, you’ll get detailed instructions and plan follow-ups to monitor your response to treatment.
To see a medical professional online and learn whether trazodone can help you cope with depression, book an appointment.
Initial appointment
$195
- An online 30-minute visit
- Diagnosis check
- Identifying treatment goals
- Developing a treatment plan
- Prescribing medications if necessary
Follow-ups
$159
- Regular 15-minute visits
- Symptoms monitoring
- Prescription refills
- Treatment adjustments
- Working on thinking and behavioral changes
Frequently Asked Questions
Is trazodone addictive?
No, trazodone is not considered to be addictive. It is not classified as a controlled substance so it is considered to have low to no risk of addiction or dependence compared to some other medications. It is important to know that you still should not stop trazodone quickly without talking with your healthcare provider. Abruptly stopping the medication can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Your healthcare provider will help you make a plan to safely stop taking trazodone.
