Two of the biggest risks while using both substances are severe confusion and drowsiness. If you do take both substances, which experts don’t recommend, avoid performing activities that may need quick reaction times or a high level of dexterity. Trazodone has a half-life (i.e. the time it takes to metabolize 50% of a drug) of around 10 hours, and most of the drug is metabolized within 2 to 3 days. Therefore, to completely avoid having trazodone in your system before having alcohol, you need to wait that amount of time (2-3 days). The bottom-line recommendation is that trazodone may enhance the response to alcohol and other similar drugs. Take our free, 5-minute substance abuse self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with substance abuse.

Trazodone is one of the most common antidepressants in the U.S., used by more than five million Americans annually. It is a versatile drug that treats several medical and mental health conditions. However, combining trazodone and alcohol can be dangerous and may put your health at risk. For this reason, it is important to be aware of the dangers of drinking while taking trazodone. Depression or other serious mental health conditions are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts or actions. If you or your child is about to harm themselves, call 911 or call or text does water flush alcohol out of urine 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Get Help for Alcohol Addiction

Trazodone and alcohol dependence is also known as polysubstance abuse. Treatment for this dependence should be done simultaneously. Therefore, if you have one drink, you want to wait at least one hour before taking trazodone. In your case, having had two shots, you want to wait at least two hours to allow your body time to metabolize the alcohol difference between aa and na before having a drink.

1. Additionally, since you take trazodone to sleep, your sleep quality might decrease with the combination.
2. If you stop taking this drug suddenly or don’t take it, your depression may not get better.
3. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking trazodone.
4. The safety and effectiveness of this drug haven’t been established in children.

Interactions that can make drugs less effective

Avoid drinking alcohol or taking illegal or recreational drugs while taking trazodone. Given the strain that consumption of both drugs puts on the CNS, treatment should be multifaceted and tailored to each person. Physical alcohol dependence is often treated with medical detox followed by group therapy, such as a 12-step program or counseling.

Trazodone oral tablet can interact with several other medications. Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some can interfere with how well a drug works, while others can cause increased side effects. The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of glaucoma. Trazodone may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using trazodone and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction. While less common, the most serious side effects of trazodone are described below, along with what to do if they happen. Trazodone is an antidepressant that belongs to a group of medicines called serotonin modulators. It works by increasing the amount of serotonin, a natural chemical in the brain.

These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions. Trazodone is mostly used for its sleep-inducing effects (an off-label indication) rather than as an antidepressant. Only generic forms are available which makes it a lot cheaper than some other sleep-inducing alternatives, and it is not classified as a controlled substance. However, it may cause withdrawal symptoms on discontinuation. Trazodone can also be prescribed for alcohol withdrawal.

Medical Professionals

If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. If you’re concerned about your alcohol use, you may benefit from substance abuse counseling and treatment programs that can help you overcome your misuse of alcohol. Joining a support group or a 12-step program such as Alcoholics Anonymous may help.

Take Our Substance Abuse Self-Assessment

Both alcohol and trazodone can cause a person to feel drowsy. Whenever anyone is prescribed a product containing goodbye letter to alcohol trazodone, they should provide their physician with a complete list of their prescription medications. The physician can best determine the potential for any adverse interactions with trazodone and adjust the medications accordingly. Medical detox programs are staffed with healthcare professionals who can monitor the individual’s recovery during the withdrawal process and provide therapeutic interventions when needed. The risk of dizziness or sleepiness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking trazodone.