I started trazodone last night for sleep, took 25 mg an hour before bed, with no reaction. 90 min later I took another 25 mg. (had been in bed for 30 minutes). From reading other people's posts, it sounds like part of the problem was not going to bed soon enough after I took it. Some people say 30 min, some say 15 min. I waited until after 11 pm before taking benadryl, which I knew would work. It sounds like a higher dose might work better, but although I called my doctor this morning about all this to get an ok for a higher dose, she didn't call back. Did it not work because I took them so far apart? If you find it worked better the second or third night, could you talk about that? I really need a sleep med and this seems to be the best one for my purposes. I really want to make it work.
Trazodone reaction time questions?
- Asked
- 15 Feb 2012 by Cica
- Updated
- 16 Feb 2012
- Topics
- insomnia, sedation, sleep disorders, trazodone, sleep
Added 15 Feb 2012:
I am dealing with debilitating fatigue all day, so I cannot afford to have a sleepless night. If the trazodone doesn't get me to sleep, I have to have something that will, which is why I take the benadryl. I forgot to add that I just finished tapering off Klonopin, so my body is still working its way out of that.
Responses (3)
Hello Cica. Take the Trazodone without splitting the dose. Try taking it before your actual bed time. I'd say an hour before your bedtime would do fine. As to taking it along with the benadryl, I'd not bother because its defeating the purpose of your taking the trazodone to begin with. You've just begun taking trazadone, give it a few nights and you should be getting your sound nights sleep. If after a week you don't feel you are, ask your doctor the ok to increase it. Best of wishes,pledge
Hi Cica,
I used to take 100mg of Trazadone when I started. Depending on your weight and how stressful, anxious etc... you are, you might need that dose. I have since tappered off to 25mg but then had thyroid cancer and had surgery so went back up to 50mg. So it really matters what is going on in your life.
Hopefully your doctor has upped your mgs by now. This is a great med for me to sleep, try giving it a chance. And don't worry when your body can't handle it anymore, it will sleep. You don't need a lot of sleep to live unfortunately.
Take care,
Smileyhappy
I was given Trazadone years ago by my rheumatologist to help get me to sleep. Started at 25mg for 6 weeks & then 50mg another 6 weeks up to 100mg another 6 weeks & finally 150mg, & I slept, but as you can see, I had to keep getting it increased. I finally weaned off of it completely, but do use xanax to get me to shut down my brain at night, Once asleep I'm ok for about 6 to 7 hours usually. Everyone is different & will react differently to each med. I conked out the first night in about 30 minutes after taking it. Don't know if this helps or not, & coming off of klonopin is part of your problem too. Best of luck to you... Mary

Further Information
- Trazodone Information for Consumers
- Trazodone Information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details)
- Side Effects of Trazodone (detailed)
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