Can You Die from a Trazodone Overdose?
The tetracyclic antidepressant trazodone can be a powerful medication to help people suffering from major depressive disorder, or depression. While it’s generally considered to be a safe treatment option, it can cause serious problems if too much is taken or if it reacts with another substance. There are rare reports of people experiencing a trazodone overdose fatal. Let’s explore how this drug works, as well as the rare drug overdose symptoms someone could experience if they have too much of the medication in their system.
Table of Contents
What Is Trazodone?
Trazodone is a popular antidepressant most often prescribed to treat depression in adults. It’s a serotonin receptor antagonist and reuptake inhibitor, or SARI, that helps increase the levels of serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain to improve the mood of the user. Its effects can also help people sleep better, and it’s occasionally used to treat insomnia, anxiety, and as part of the treatment for schizophrenia.
It can interact with other substances, including:
- MAOIs, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors, which are another form of antidepressant
- Some types of antifungal or antibiotic medications
- Blood thinners
- Benzodiazepines or sedatives
- The herbal supplement St. John’s wort
- Grapefruit
- Alcohol
- Other medications that change the rhythm of the heart
Most people experience only minor side effects of the drug, such as drowsiness, nausea, headaches, constipation, dry mouth, or dizziness. However, some can experience serious but rare side effects, including serotonin syndrome, a dangerous and potentially life-threatening condition.
What Are the Symptoms of a Trazodone Overdose?
It’s extremely rare to have confirmed reports of a fatal trazodone overdose, and this medication isn’t anything like the easiest drugs to overdose on. Still, a trazodone overdose can happen in the right circumstances. Possible symptoms can include:
- Difficulty breathing or not breathing at all
- Chest pain
- Irregular heartbeat or slowed heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- An abnormal erection lasting for more than four hours
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Seizures
- Tremors
- Coma
Most often, a trazodone overdose will happen if someone takes far more of the medication than prescribed. If you or a loved one is suffering a suspected trazodone overdose, it’s crucial to seek emergency medical help immediately.
Who Is Most at Risk for a Trazodone Overdose?
As we’ve said earlier, a trazodone overdose fatality is extremely rare. However, there are some reports of this happening. Researchers reported the case of a 37-year-old woman with bipolar disorder who intentionally overdosed on trazodone. When her husband found her with an empty pill bottle, she was brought in for medical attention three hours later, and it was found that she had ingested approximately 6,450 milligrams of the drug, which usually is 150 to 400 milligrams per day.
While she could initially answer questions and follow commands from doctors, she died from fatal brain swelling. More often, the cause of death in the rare reports of fatal trazodone overdoses was due to heart damage.
Certain people can be at a higher risk of overdosing on this medication, especially people with a past history of substance abuse or addiction who might be more prone to abuse or misuse the drug. Patients who are taking multiple other medications that affect the central nervous system, such as alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines, are at a much higher risk of overdosing.
Older people can also be at high risk as their advanced age changes how their bodies process and respond to trazodone. Additionally, those with impaired liver or kidney function can metabolize the drug differently and end up with a higher concentration of the medication in their systems.
Unfortunately, many instances of trazodone overdose are due to misuse of the drug, such as taking more than directed or using it with other substances. Sadly, trazodone overdoses can also happen intentionally. Trazodone overdoses can be fatal under the right circumstances, which is why immediate medical care is so critical.
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Can Trazodone Abuse Lead to Addiction?
Trazodone addiction is something you might be concerned about. However, there is little evidence that this antidepressant is an addictive substance, and it’s highly unlikely to lead to the same cycles of use that addictive drugs like methamphetamine, cocaine, and opioids can cause.
It’s considered safe to take as a treatment for an extended period of time, and research hasn’t documented harmful effects of taking it for months or even years at a time. Like other antidepressants, it can take several weeks before it starts to take effect and help the user’s depressive symptoms.
What is much more likely is that someone who takes this medication, even as directed, for long enough can become physically dependent on the drug in order to feel better. If they suddenly quit taking the drug or lower the dosage too fast, they’re at risk of suffering from withdrawal side effects such as sleep problems, feeling irritable, or sweating more than normal.
Patients who are prescribed trazodone need to closely follow their doctor’s instructions and ensure that they tell their medical provider about any other drug or supplement they’re on to avoid the risks of dangerous drug interactions.
Side effects are common with this, like with other antidepressants. If you’re concerned about the side effects you’re noticing from trazodone, talk with your doctor to see if the medication can be adjusted or changed to something that you’ll be able to tolerate better.
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Key Takeaways on Trazodone Overdose Fatal
- Trazodone is an effective, commonly prescribed antidepressant that works by increasing the levels of serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain to treat depression.
- It’s safe to take for long periods of time, though it can commonly cause side effects that may be concerning to the patient.
- There are only rare reports of Trazodone overdose fatal accidents. However, it is possible to overdose and suffer medical problems if too much of the drug is in your system at once or if it interacts with other substances.
- Emergency medical treatment is necessary if a trazodone overdose is suspected.
- While trazodone isn’t addictive, there is the potential for it to be misused or abused.
Trazodone, like other medications, can be a powerful tool to help people with depression feel better and manage their mental health condition. However, too much of it can be dangerous and even life-threatening in rare occasions. If you or a loved one is abusing or misusing prescription medications like trazodone, you’re in dangerous territory, and it’s time to get help to quit abusing drugs and focus on getting yourself stable and healthy again.
Call Resurgence Behavioral Health’s drug addiction treatment center in Riverside, California, at 855-458-0050 today to learn how we can help you put drug abuse behind you forever.
Resources
- Neurology – Fatal Cerebral Edema After Trazodone Overdose (P5.103)
- Mount Sinai – Trazodone Hydrochloride Overdose
- National Health Service – Common Questions About Trazodone
