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Trazodone Side Effects

Common trazodone side effects include lightheadedness, dry mouth, and drowsiness. Rare side effects (reported in less than 1 percent of people) include numbness, increased salivation, and feelings of internal jitteriness. Although side effects of trazodone are generally minor and do not require treatment, let your healthcare provider know immediately if you experience a rapid heart rate, chest palpitations, or hallucinations.

 

An Introduction to Trazodone Side Effects

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with trazodone hydrochloride (Desyrel®). However, not everyone who takes the antidepressant will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, they are minor in most cases and either require no treatment or can be easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
 
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with trazodone. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of trazodone side effects with you.)
  

Common Side Effects of Trazodone

Trazodone has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials, in which a group of people taking the drug have side effects documented and compared to another group not taking the medicine. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
 
In these studies, the most common side effects of trazodone included:
 
  • Drowsiness -- in up to 40.8 percent of people
  • Dry mouth -- up to 33.8 percent (see Trazodone and Dry Mouth)
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness -- up to 28 percent
  • Headache -- up to 19.8 percent
  • Nervousness -- up to 14.8 percent
  • Blurred vision -- up to 14.7 percent
  • Nausea or vomiting -- up to 12.7 percent
  • Fatigue -- up to 11.3 percent
  • Constipation -- up to 7.6 percent
  • Low blood pressure (hypotension) -- up to 7 percent
  • Confusion -- up to 5.7 percent
  • Sinus congestion -- up to 5.7 percent
  • Weight loss -- up to 5.7 percent (see Trazodone and Weight Loss)
  • Muscle pain -- up to 5.6 percent
  • Shakiness (tremor) -- up to 5.1 percent.
     
Other common trazodone side effects (occurring in 1 to 5 percent of people) included:
 

 

(Trazodone Side Effects Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;