Trazodone Side Effects

In Summary

Commonly reported side effects of trazodone include: blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, nausea, vomiting, and xerostomia. Other side effects include: syncope, edema, ataxia, confusion, diarrhea, hypotension, insomnia, sedation, and tachycardia. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

For the Consumer

Applies to trazodone: oral tablet, oral tablet extended release

As well as its needed effects, trazodone may cause unwanted side effects that require medical attention.

Major Side Effects

If any of the following side effects occur while taking trazodone, check with your doctor immediately:

More common:

• Blurred vision
• confusion
• dizziness
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• lightheadedness
• sweating
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common:

• Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• confusion about identity, place, and time
• decreased concentration
• fainting
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• headache
• lack of coordination
• muscle tremors
• nervousness
• pounding in the ears
• shortness of breath
• slow or fast heartbeat
• swelling

Rare

• Skin rash
• unusual excitement

Minor Side Effects

Some trazodone side effects may not need any medical attention. As your body gets used to the medicine these side effects may disappear. Your health care professional may be able to help you prevent or reduce these side effects, but do check with them if any of the following side effects continue, or if you are concerned about them:

More common:

• Dry mouth (usually mild)
• muscle or bone pain
• trouble sleeping
• trouble with remembering
• unpleasant taste

Less common:

• Constipation
• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• diarrhea
• hearing loss
• muscle aches or pains
• weight loss

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to trazodone: compounding powder, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release

General

The most commonly reported side effects were dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dizziness/light-headedness, headache, and nervousness.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension, hypotension, syncope, tachycardia, palpitations
Frequency not reported: Sinus bradycardia, chest pain, ventricular couplets
Postmarketing reports: Cardiospasm, cerebrovascular accident, congestive heart failure, vasodilation, conduction block, orthostatic hypotension, atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, arrhythmia, ventricular ectopic activity, prolonged QT interval, torsade de pointes, ventricular tachycardia^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Anger/hostility, excitement, insomnia, nightmares/vivid dreams
Frequency not reported: Hallucinations/delusions, mania/hypomania, impaired speech, suicidal ideation, disorientation, aggressive reaction, withdrawal syndrome
Postmarketing reports: Abnormal dreams, agitation, anxiety, paranoid reaction, psychosis^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Drowsiness (up to 40.8%), dizziness/light-headedness (up to 28%), headache (up to 19.8%), nervousness (up to 14.8%)
Common (1% to 10%): Confusion, decreased concentration, disorientation, impaired memory, incoordination, paresthesia, tremors
Frequency not reported: Akathisia, muscle twitches, numbness, serotonin syndrome, convulsion, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, vertigo, restlessness, decreased alertness, cognitive/motor impairment
Postmarketing reports: Aphasia, ataxia, extrapyramidal symptoms, grand mal seizures, stupor, tardive dyskinesia, myoclonus,^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Decreased libido, delayed urine flow, early menses
Frequency not reported: Hematuria, impotence, increased libido, increased urinary frequency, missed periods, retrograde ejaculation
Postmarketing reports: Breast enlargement or engorgement, clitorism, lactation, priapism, urinary incontinence, urinary retention^[Ref]

Hematologic

Frequency not reported: Anemia, hemolytic anemia, granulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, leucopenia
Postmarketing reports: Leukocytosis, methemoglobinemia^[Ref]

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Decreased appetite, weigh gain/loss
Frequency not reported: Increased appetite, anorexia, hyponatremia^[Ref]

Ocular

Very common (10% or more): Blurred vision (up to 14.7%)
Common (1% to 10%): Red/tired/itching eyes
Frequency not reported: Angle-closure glaucoma
Postmarketing reports: Diplopia^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Sweating/clamminess
Frequency not reported: Hyperhidrosis
Postmarketing reports: Alopecia, leuconychia, pruritus, psoriasis, rash, urticaria^[Ref]

Endocrine

Postmarketing reports: Hirsutism, inappropriate ADH syndrome^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Dry mouth (up to 33.8%), nausea/vomiting (up to 12.7%)
Common (1% to 10%): Constipation, abdominal/gastric disorder, bad taste, diarrhea
Frequency not reported: Flatulence, increased salivation, dyspepsia, stomach pain, gastroenteritis, paralytic ileus
Postmarketing reports: Increased amylase^[Ref]

Hepatic

Postmarketing reports: Cholestasis, hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice, liver enzyme alterations^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Frequency not reported: Allergic reactions^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Musculoskeletal aches/pains
Frequency not reported: Limb pain, back pain, myalgia, arthralgia^[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (up to 11.3%)
Common (1% to 10%): Edema, malaise, tinnitus
Frequency not reported: Chills, fever
Postmarketing reports: Unexplained death, weakness^[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Shortness of breath, nasal/sinus congestion
Frequency not reported: Dyspnea
Postmarketing reports: Apnea^[Ref]

It is possible that some side effects of trazodone may not have been reported. These can be reported to the FDA here. Always consult a healthcare professional for medical advice.