There’s limited research on the best trazodone dosage for sleep. Studies show that a low dose of between 25 mg and 100 mg may be effective for sleep issues — which is a lower dose than when it’s used as an antidepressant. Even at these low doses, trazodone may be able to help you fall asleep and stay asleep.
If you’ve been diagnosed with depression and insomnia, the recommended maximum dosage is usually 400 mg per day. There isn’t a recommended maximum daily dose for insomnia alone. Your healthcare professional can help you decide the safest and most effective dose for you.
Be sure to follow up with your healthcare professional if you feel like trazodone isn’t working to help you sleep. They may adjust your dosage or consider switching you to another treatment.
How quickly does trazodone work for sleep?
Trazodone can start working within 30 minutes, but it may take up to 2 hours for some people to experience the effects. If trazodone doesn’t seem to work for you at all, speak with your prescriber or pharmacist.
Is it OK to take trazodone every night?
For most people, it’s OK to take trazodone every night for short-term sleeping issues (typically less than 1 month), but you should only take this medication as prescribed by your healthcare professional. There’s limited research on the safety of long-term trazodone for sleep. But there are some findings to keep in mind.
Compared to other sleep medications, such as benzodiazepines, trazodone has a low risk for dependence and misuse. Trazodone is not a controlled substance and doesn’t seem to be addictive.
But, as with all antidepressants, trazodone can cause withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly decrease your dosage or stop taking it. This is especially likely if you’ve been taking it every night for a long period of time.
If you’re planning to stop taking trazodone, talk to your healthcare professional. They may ask you to slowly decrease your dosage to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms of trazodone withdrawal can include agitation, anxiety, and increased sleeping issues.