Trazodone Withdrawal Solution, Side Effects, Treatment Options
Trazodone Withdrawal Symptoms
The majority of people attempting Trazodone withdrawal experience an
antidepressant withdrawal syndrome. This is also known as Trazodone
discontinuation syndrome in the United States. In Europe it is call Trazodone
withdrawal side effects. The F.D.A. estimates 10% of those experiencing
Trazodone withdrawal will go back up on the Trazodone because the withdrawal
symptoms are too severe.
The most common and debilitating Trazodone withdrawal side effect is called
"brain zaps." Brain zaps are described by people experiencing it as a; electrical jolt
that tends to run from base of the neck up into their head. Another side effect that
tends to run with brain zaps is a shiver, a feeling as your head is floating, dizziness,
and/or a whirling sensation in the head.
If you want to read the short version of how to handle Trazodone withdrawal side effects
Click here. Page opens new browser window.
These symptoms can come in waves or even be persistent.
The good news; in 2002, our founder, Jim Harper, discovered the correct type of
Omega 3 taken in the right quantity will eliminate these devastating head
symptoms quickly. Usually within a couple of hours.
The body in a normal state uses the oil from our diet, specifically from omega 3
found in fish, to build and replenish the end point of areas in the brain that sends
and receives electrical signals. We are using easy to understand terminology here
so it is easy to understand. Let's leave the technical jargon to physicians.
These brain zaps have nothing to do with serotonin levels or other made up
reasons. It is simple really; our body works in a very natural way with how it uses
amino acids, proteins, fats in food and all other diet items to maintain a balance.
When you introduce any toxin that disrupts these processes the body reacts.
The most common Trazodone withdrawal symptoms reported include:
Flu like symptoms
Insomnia
Anxiety
Brain zaps
Tremors
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Increased suicidal ideation
Nausea
Headache
Mania
Hypomania
Ringing in the ears
Aggression
Confusion
Imbalance
Mood swings
Please note: These are the most common Trazodone withdrawal side effects but far
from all potential Trazodone withdrawal side effects.
There is a warning the FDA has put a black box warning on Trazodone.
WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORSSee full
prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Antidepressants
increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviorsin pediatric and young
adult patients (5.1) Closely monitor for clinical worsening and emergence of
suicidalthoughts and behaviors
You may have been prescribed Trazodone within a very short doctor visit. There
was no investigation into other life factors, lab testing, or any conversation about
what side effects might present. The failings of this approach may cause quite a
burden on the patient.
Depression, insomnia, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and other symptoms that Trazodone
is often prescribed for might stem from; diminished vitamin D levels, over active
JNK gene, specific proteins that need to be silenced, dietary concerns and food
allergies, mitochondrial dysfunction, neurotoxic accumulation, and many other
reasons. A full physical from an understanding physician is ideal, before
prescribing Trazodone.
Do Your Symptoms Require Trazodone?
The Road Back Program uses nutritional supplements to help with the Trazodone
withdrawal. Most people feel a very fast relief from the Trazodone withdrawal
once they begin taking the supplements and we feel the odds are high; if would
have taken nutritional supplements like these before starting the Trazodone you
would have been prescribed the Trazodone in the first place.
In 2007, Jim Harper was giving a speech to a group of psychiatrists in Ireland and
during his talk he mentioned his mother just passed away 30 days ago. He went on
to describe how he made sure to take his JNK Formula each day to help the body
cope with the stress being put on it do to his loss. He went on to say, "The JNK
Formula will not remove the emotional loss and how I feel but it will keep the
body strong during my time to grieve."
How Do You Survive Trazodone Withdrawal?
Surviving Trazodone withdrawal depends on what you do at this very moment. If
you keep doing the same thing you have been doing and you are in a heavy
Trazodone withdrawal, nothing will change for the positive, That is a given.
If you decide to do the Trazodone withdrawal as an inpatient in a drug rehab
center DO NOT DO THE 9 DAY PLAN BECAUSE THAT WHAT
INSURANCE ALLOWS. Over the past 22 years I have worked with far to many
people who were sold on a rehab facility, stayed the 9 days because insurance
would only pay for that amount of time. The unscrupulous facility took them off
the Trazodone in 9 days as they promised and by the time the person got off the
airplane after their return home they were in full withdrawal. You can't do a
Trazodone withdrawal in 9 days.
The Road Back Program can normally help you get back on your feet again
but the rehab facility approach of this type is not worth the price you will pay
mentally and physically.
You will find a few other outpatient Trazodone withdrawal programs on the
internet now and Jim Harper is not aware of one that will cause you harm like the
rehab facility's mentioned. However, every other program on the internet was
trained by Jim Harper years ago and they are doing what Jim Harper and The Road
Back did during that time frame. Almost 2 decades ago Jim Harper trained several
physicians and good intentioned people how to get a patient off Trazodone. Jim
went in to detail of the process and what nutritional supplements were used and
why they were used. At that time of The Road Back the success rate was not as
high as desired and over the following years Jim changed the formulas used with
the supplements several times to use new information with DNA testing. Long
story short; you will likely wind up using a Trazodone withdrawal approach The
Road Back used in 2003, that was scrapped for something more successful.
If you are currently in Trazodone withdrawal, send Jim Harper an email and he
will personally guide you through the process so you can get back on your feet
quickly and have a very successful Trazodone withdrawal.
It does not matter if you have been on Trazodone for 1 month or 20 years.
Recovery can happen and the good part is; it does not take more time because you
have been taking Trazodone for years.
When Do Trazodone Withdrawal Symptoms Start When Discontinuing /
Quitting Trazodone?
Trazodone withdrawal usually begins between day 1 and day 3 of adjusting the
Trazodone. For some people this is not the case but eventually most everyone hits
some dosage of the Trazodone when reducing that jars them. Trazodone
withdrawal begins and they have no idea what they should do. Their physician
does not know what to do. They wind up in a spiral downward and wind up on a
new medication to try and stop the Trazodone withdrawal. The best case is the
additional drug does that but you are now on 2 drugs instead of only Trazodone.
What is Trazodone?
This SSRI drug is prescribed in treating adult depressive disorders (MDD), panic
disorder, obsessive compulsory disorders (OCD), social anxiety (SAD), post-
traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
If you have anxiety before taking Trazodone, or anxiety begins while taking
Trazodone, odds are the anxiety will continue to get worse. Trazodone alters
dopamine much like the antidepressant Trazodone and anxiety is a byproduct of
these two drugs.
What Is Trazodone Used For?
Trazodone is an antidepressant medication approved to treat adult MDD (major
depressive disorder). The Black Box warning on the drug’s packaging mentions
that the drug should not be prescribed to anyone under the age of 25, due to
heightened risk of suicide. There is an exception to this for patients under the age
of 25 who have been diagnosed with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder).
Potential suicidality is associated with all Trazodone and may be a concern leading
to consider Trazodone withdrawal, which is recommended to be done always
under medical or caregiver monitoring.
Adult-only approved uses for the drug provided in a clinical or treatment
setting include:
MDD: Major Depressive Disorder<
PTSD: Post-traumatic stress disorder
PD: Panic disorder
SAD: Social anxiety disorder
OCD: Obsessive-compulsive disorder
PMDD: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
Trazodone Side Effects
The full list of Trazodone side effects is quite staggering. In 2004, Jim Harper used
the Freedom of Information Act to get the full list of Trazodone side effects. Jim
received the information and it is 500 sheets of letter size paper, single space, a
number 10 font size, 3 columns per page. In other words, thousands of known
potential Trazodone side effects were disclosed.
Some of the other Trazodone and Trazodone withdrawal side effects:
Serotonin syndrome: A life-threatening condition requiring immediate
medical care in a hospital emergency clinic or ICU. Symptoms to watch
for include sudden fever, losing consciousness, inability to move or
speak, copious sweating, dilated pupils, chills, tremors, convulsions,
diarrhea, agitation, restlessness, racing heart, etc.
Suicidal thoughts (common)
Suicide attempt (common)
Hyperkinesis (muscle spasms, movement disorder)
Worsened depression
Aggression
Paranoia (rare)
Anxiety
Mania (common)
Convulsions
Unconsciousness
Coma
Teeth grinding
Akathisia (relentless internal restlessness and discomfort marked by
repeated motions, pacing, rocking, etc., that can lead to suicidal
thoughts as a means of relief)
Tachycardia (racing heart, even when the body is at rest)
Rash
Itching
Burning, crawling feeling in the skin
Fever
Tics, sudden jerky movements, myoclonus
Emotional blunting
Behavioral apathy, SSRI-induced-indifference
Pain on urination or difficulty urinating
Cloudy urine
Headache
Sexual impairments, i.e., anorgasmia, inability to ejaculate, lowered
libido
Mood swings
Pain around the eyes or eye sockets
Sleepiness
Bladder pain
Prickling skin sensation
Numbness
Sensory disturbances
Insomnia
Depersonalization (common)
Nervousness
Nightmares (paroniria)
Hostility
Nausea
Diarrhea
Weight gain
Some documented Trazodone birth defects and injuries include:
PPHN or persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, a heart and
lung condition which can result in respiratory failure, decreased oxygen to
the brain, and multiple organ injuries.
Congenital Heart Defects connected to Trazodone and other SSRIs include
ventricular septal defects and atrial septal defects, also referred to as “holes
in the heart”, related to heart murmurs, suppressed appetite, breathing
difficulties, tiredness, inadequate growth, etc.
Increased Risk of Autism has been extensively reported but evidence has
not yet been considered conclusive enough for regulatory bodies to ban
prescribing to pregnant women.
Increased Risk of Clubfoot connected to SSRIs during pregnancy as
reported by NIMH, where exposure had the highest increase in clubfoot of
all SSRIs.
Increased risk of atrial/ventricular defects and craniosynostosis was
reported in a Canadian study from 1998 to 2010 and published in the June
2015 issue of the American Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics.
Trazodone Withdrawal, What to Expect
If using The Road Back Program you should expect to feel a lot better within the
first couple days of the program. If you do nothing, expect to continue to feel as
you do now. Possibly worse as time goes on. The chance of feeling better if you do
nothing is nil.
In 1999, The Road Back only had people taper the Trazodone gradually and
slowly. They still suffered. Around 50% could get off the Trazodone but most went
back on the Trazodone because they continual Trazodone withdrawal side effects
would not diminish or go away.
We wish there was a better answer for you than the above but with working with
over 19 million people over the last 22 years, the truth is the truth. No way to water
it down to make it sound better.
Some may think it is just their depression returning but who would not feel
depressed if they were still going through Trazodone withdrawal months after
stopping the Trazodone.
We can't stress enough; what you do or do not do at this moment in time is critical
for your future. Take your time if at all possible. If you have brain zaps go buy any
omega 3 fish oil, even the wrong omega 3 fish oil will help somewhat.
While you read this you may want to pause and go take a walk. Look at the trees,
the sky or anything off in the distance. Getting your attention off your mind and
body may do wonders.
Keep this close to your heart; There is Hope and There is a Solution. We are
speaking directly to YOU.
A 30 day supply of the nutritional supplements will cost you around $80. If you
feel it is worth $80 to take a chance that all of this can go away in a couple of days,
then take that chance. Over the past 22 years many have sent an email to Jim
Harper and said they were not sure what to do about the Trazodone withdrawal.
Even after reading this information. The people that tried something else generally
came back within a few months and were in worse shape than before. We do not
want this to happen to you. But if is; Jim will still be here to assist.
Can Trazodone Make Depression Worse?
Common sense answers this question. If depression is one side effect of taking
Trazodone then Trazodone can cause depression. You do stand a greater chance of
Trazodone causing depression during withdrawal than while simply taking the
Trazodone as prescribed. The depression during Trazodone withdrawal can be due
to the other Trazodone withdrawal side effects you are experiencing. Who would
not start to get depressed if you have anxiety from morning to night, can't sleep and
your head feels like it is on fire.
Trazodone Aggression in Children
Children are more prone to aggression when taking Trazodone than adults. It
occurs in 10-20% of children taking any SSRI antidepressant. Two clinical trials
performed by Pfizer, aggression was the most common reason noted for Trazodone
discontinuation.
Can You Get Addicted to Trazodone?
Yes and no. This is where Trazodone dependence is a matter of wording.
Medically speaking in the United States Trazodone is not addicting. In Europe it is
viewed as addicting. The bottom line is; Once you take Trazodone for 7 days the
Trazodone has made its way through your body. If your body no longer has the
Trazodone in its system, your body will react to the Trazodone being gone.
Much like a person that eats a lot a sweets every day. Your body will react when
the sweet substance is not present. Call it addicting, as we would, call it a
dependence as United States physicians will, it is what it is. If you do not provide
the substance the body reacts and you also have mental feelings that are not
positive. We can get into the insulin discussion etc, but we are only talking about a
substance being present and then not and the body and mind reacting in a negative
manner.
What is the difference between Trazodone and a Benzodiazepine?
Trazodone is an SSRI medication, an antidepressant, used to treat depression and
anxiety. Benzodiazepines are prescribed mainly for the treatment of anxiety and
panic disorders but also prescribed off-label to treat depression.
These two types drug have different chemical components and were designed to
work on different brain receptors and neurotransmitters, but some of their effects
can be seen to overlap. Benzodiazepines are thought to mainly affect GABA
transmission, which can slow the central nervous system to reduce anxiety, while
Trazodone is designed to block the reuptake of serotonin.
Benzodiazepines are known to be more prone to dependence/addiction than
Trazodone. While the withdrawal symptoms are similar between both drugs,
Trazodone’s half-life is 22-36 hours, and Benzodiazepines half-life is much lower.
Benzodiazepines can have more severe complications if abruptly stopped,
including seizures. For safe Benzodiazepine or Trazodone withdrawal, either of
these drugs must be slowly tapered to allow the central nervous system and
neurochemistry to safely normalize.
Choosing to withdrawal from the Trazodone first or the benzodiazepine first needs
to be evaluated. Use Chapter 23, The Science to decide is part of that equation.
Depending on the benzodiazepine you may be taking with the Trazodone, if you
reduce the Trazodone first it may make you go into withdrawal on the
benzodiazepine, even if you did not reduce the benzodiazepine.
How long does Trazodone stay in your system after the last dosage?
Our founder, Jim Harper, made great strides with determining this question. Using
his DNA testing company in 2004-2005, Jim conducted hundreds of DNA tests to
determine how fast or slow medications took to metabolize. In roughly 34 percent
of the population the Trazodone can take as long as 48 hours to clear the body. In
others, as little as 8 hours can occur for the Trazodone to clear the body.
Depending on other habits you may have, Trazodone could clear faster or even
take more time than the 48 hours. If you smoke cigarettes and stop smoking while
taking Trazodone, the Trazodone dosage you are taking will decrease by 15%. On
the other side of this, if you start smoking while taking Trazodone, the Trazodone
dosage will act as though it is 15% higher than you think it is. This is because
cigarettes induce an enzyme used to metabolize Trazodone and anything using
that same pathway will shoot though much faster. Caffeine restricts that same
enzyme, so if you start or stop drinking coffee while taking Trazodone you will
either go into withdrawal or feel an overdose, even though you have not changed
the Trazodone dosage.
This is why The Road Back Program wants you to not change smoking habits or
caffeine habits during the Trazodone taper.
Can you overdose on Trazodone?
Yes, it is definitely possible for Trazodone poisoning to occur. A substantial
Trazodone overdose requires emergency medical intervention to prevent major
health problems. This list of Trazodone overdose symptoms would be the same as
those Trazodone side effects listed above, but more severe.
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), the use of intravenous
benzodiazepines is sometimes required during Trazodone overdose to prevent
seizures. Extra cooling measures must be used to reduce hyperthermia, always
under the direction of EMT or other medical staff attending to the patient.
Treatment for Trazodone Withdrawal
Trazodone has become one of the most frequently prescribed antidepressants in the
US. Of equal importance is that depressive disorders have become one of the most
frequently diagnosed conditions. These two facts together underscore two
important steps toward improved health:
Providing safe treatment programs for those who have decided on
Trazodone withdrawal, and
Offering drug-free options to regain natural mental health without the need
for prescription medications.
The Road Back Program was described by Dr. Hyla Cass M.D. in this way:
Here's an essential handbook on how to safely and more easily wean yourself
(under medical supervision) off the heavily over-prescribed psychotropic
medications. I have used the program with my patients and it works!" Hyla
Cass M.D. Author of Supplement Your Prescription
Send an email to Jim Harper by using the Contact link on the top of this page or
read How to Get Off Psychoactive Drugs Safely by Jim Harper and follow the
program for Trazodone withdrawal. Why Jim put his entire book on our website
for free is so you can instantly read the material and start this process if you are
ready now.
One last thing Jim asked us to provide at the bottom of each page of Trazodone
descriptions:
There is Hope and There is a Solution
Trazodone Withdrawal Solution,
Trazodone Side Effects, Treatment
Options
Trazodone Withdrawal Symptoms
The majority of people attempting
Trazodone withdrawal experience an
antidepressant withdrawal syndrome.
This is also known as Trazodone
discontinuation syndrome in the
United States. In Europe it is call
Trazodone withdrawal side effects.
If you want to read the short version
of how to handle Trazodone withdrawal
side effects Click here.
Page opens new browser window.
The F.D.A. estimates 10% of those
experiencing Trazodone withdrawal
will go back up on the Trazodone
because the withdrawal symptoms are
too severe.
The most common and debilitating
Trazodone withdrawal side effect is
called "brain zaps." Brain zaps are
described by people experiencing it as
a; electrical jolt that tends to run from
base of the neck up into their head.
Another side effect that tends to run
with brain zaps is a shiver, a feeling
as your head is floating, dizziness,
and/or a whirling sensation in the
head.
These symptoms can come in waves
or even be persistent.
The good news; in 2002, our founder,
Jim Harper, discovered the correct
type of Omega 3 taken in the right
quantity will eliminate these
devastating head symptoms quickly.
Usually within a couple of hours.
The body in a normal state uses the
oil from our diet, specifically from
omega 3 found in fish, to build and
replenish the end point of areas in the
brain that sends and receives electrical
signals. We are using easy to
understand terminology here so it is
easy to understand. Let's leave the
technical jargon to physicians.
These brain zaps have nothing to do
with serotonin levels or other made up
reasons. It is simple really; our body
works in a very natural way with how
it uses amino acids, proteins, fats in
food and all other diet items to
maintain a balance. When you
introduce any toxin that disrupts these
processes the body reacts.
The most common Trazodone
withdrawal symptoms reported
include:
Flu like symptoms
Insomnia
Anxiety
Brain zaps
Tremors
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Increased suicidal ideation
Nausea
Headache
Mania
Hypomania
Ringing in the ears
Aggression
Confusion
Imbalance
Mood swings
Please note: These are the most
common Trazodone withdrawal side
effects but far from all potential
Trazodone withdrawal side effects.
There is a warning the FDA has put a
black box warning on Trazodone.
WARNING: SUICIDAL
THOUGHTS AND
BEHAVIORSSee full prescribing
information for complete boxed
warning. Antidepressants increased
the risk of suicidal thoughts and
behaviorsin pediatric and young
adult patients (5.1) Closely monitor
for clinical worsening and
emergence of suicidalthoughts and
behaviors
You may have been prescribed
Trazodone within a very short doctor
visit. There was no investigation into
other life factors, lab testing, or any
conversation about what side effects
might present. The failings of this
approach may cause quite a burden on
the patient.
Depression, insomnia, anxiety,
fibromyalgia, and other symptoms
that Trazodone is often prescribed for
might stem from; diminished vitamin
D levels, over active JNK gene,
specific proteins that need to be
silenced, dietary concerns and food
allergies, mitochondrial dysfunction,
neurotoxic accumulation, and many
other reasons. A full physical from an
understanding physician is ideal,
before prescribing Trazodone.
Do Your Symptoms Require
Trazodone?
The Road Back Program uses
nutritional supplements to help with
the Trazodone withdrawal. Most
people feel a very fast relief from the
Trazodone withdrawal once they
begin taking the supplements and we
feel the odds are high; if would have
taken nutritional supplements like
these before starting the Trazodone
you would have been prescribed the
Trazodone in the first place.
In 2007, Jim Harper was giving a
speech to a group of psychiatrists in
Ireland and during his talk he
mentioned his mother just passed
away 30 days ago. He went on to
describe how he made sure to take his
JNK Formula each day to help the
body cope with the stress being put on
it do to his loss. He went on to say,
"The JNK Formula will not remove
the emotional loss and how I feel but
it will keep the body strong during my
time to grieve."
How Do You Survive Trazodone
Withdrawal?
Surviving Trazodone withdrawal
depends on what you do at this very
moment. If you keep doing the same
thing you have been doing and you
are in a heavy Trazodone withdrawal,
nothing will change for the positive,
That is a given.
If you decide to do the Trazodone
withdrawal as an inpatient in a drug
rehab center DO NOT DO THE 9
DAY PLAN BECAUSE THAT
WHAT INSURANCE ALLOWS.
Over the past 22 years I have worked
with far to many people who were
sold on a rehab facility, stayed the 9
days because insurance would only
pay for that amount of time. The
unscrupulous facility took them off
the Trazodone in 9 days as they
promised and by the time the person
got off the airplane after their return
home they were in full withdrawal.
You can't do a Trazodone withdrawal
in 9 days.
The Road Back Program can
normally help you get back on your
feet again but the rehab facility
approach of this type is not worth
the price you will pay mentally and
physically.
You will find a few other outpatient
Trazodone withdrawal programs on
the internet now and Jim Harper is not
aware of one that will cause you harm
like the rehab facility's mentioned.
However, every other program on the
internet was trained by Jim Harper
years ago and they are doing what Jim
Harper and The Road Back did during
that time frame. Almost 2 decades ago
Jim Harper trained several physicians
and good intentioned people how to
get a patient off Trazodone. Jim went
in to detail of the process and what
nutritional supplements were used and
why they were used. At that time of
The Road Back the success rate was
not as high as desired and over the
following years Jim changed the
formulas used with the supplements
several times to use new information
with DNA testing. Long story short;
you will likely wind up using a
Trazodone withdrawal approach The
Road Back used in 2003, that was
scrapped for something more
successful.
If you are currently in Trazodone
withdrawal, send Jim Harper an email
and he will personally guide you
through the process so you can get
back on your feet quickly and have a
very successful Trazodone
withdrawal.
It does not matter if you have been on
Trazodone for 1 month or 20 years.
Recovery can happen and the good
part is; it does not take more time
because you have been taking
Trazodone for years.
When Do Trazodone Withdrawal
Symptoms Start When
Discontinuing / Quitting
Trazodone?
Trazodone withdrawal usually begins
between day 1 and day 3 of adjusting
the Trazodone. For some people this
is not the case but eventually most
everyone hits some dosage of the
Trazodone when reducing that jars
them. Trazodone withdrawal begins
and they have no idea what they
should do. Their physician does not
know what to do. They wind up in a
spiral downward and wind up on a
new medication to try and stop the
Trazodone withdrawal. The best case
is the additional drug does that but
you are now on 2 drugs instead of
only Trazodone.
What is Trazodone?
This SSRI drug is prescribed in
treating adult depressive disorders
(MDD), panic disorder, obsessive
compulsory disorders (OCD), social
anxiety (SAD), post-traumatic stress
disorders (PTSD), and premenstrual
dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
If you have anxiety before taking
Trazodone, or anxiety begins while
taking Trazodone, odds are the
anxiety will continue to get worse.
Trazodone alters dopamine much like
the antidepressant Trazodone and
anxiety is a byproduct of these two
drugs.
What Is Trazodone Used For?
Trazodone is an antidepressant
medication approved to treat adult
MDD (major depressive disorder).
The Black Box warning on the drug’s
packaging mentions that the drug
should not be prescribed to anyone
under the age of 25, due to heightened
risk of suicide. There is an exception
to this for patients under the age of 25
who have been diagnosed with OCD
(obsessive-compulsive disorder).
Potential suicidality is associated with
all Trazodone and may be a concern
leading to consider Trazodone
withdrawal, which is recommended to
be done always under medical or
caregiver monitoring.
Adult-only approved uses for the
drug provided in a clinical or
treatment setting include:
MDD: Major Depressive
Disorder
PTSD: Post-traumatic stress
disorder
PD: Panic disorder
SAD: Social anxiety disorder
OCD: Obsessive-compulsive
disorder
PMDD: Premenstrual
dysphoric disorder
Trazodone Side Effects
The full list of Trazodone side effects
is quite staggering. In 2004, Jim
Harper used the Freedom of
Information Act to get the full list of
Trazodone side effects. Jim received
the information and it is 500 sheets of
letter size paper, single space, a
number 10 font size, 3 columns per
page. In other words, thousands of
known potential Trazodone side
effects were disclosed.
Some of the other Trazodone and
Trazodone withdrawal side effects:
Serotonin syndrome: A life-
threatening condition
requiring immediate medical
care in a hospital emergency
clinic or ICU. Symptoms to
watch for include sudden
fever, losing consciousness,
inability to move or speak,
copious sweating, dilated
pupils, chills, tremors,
convulsions, diarrhea,
agitation, restlessness, racing
heart, etc.
Suicidal thoughts (common)
Suicide attempt (common)
Hyperkinesis (muscle spasms,
movement disorder)
Worsened depression
Aggression
Paranoia (rare)
Anxiety
Mania (common)
Convulsions
Unconsciousness
Coma
Teeth grinding
Akathisia (relentless internal
restlessness and discomfort
marked by repeated motions,
pacing, rocking, etc., that can
lead to suicidal thoughts as a
means of relief)
Tachycardia (racing heart,
even when the body is at rest)
Rash
Itching
Burning, crawling feeling in
the skin
Fever
Tics, sudden jerky
movements, myoclonus
Emotional blunting
Behavioral apathy, SSRI-
induced-indifference
Pain on urination or difficulty
urinating
Cloudy urine
Headache
Sexual impairments, i.e.,
anorgasmia, inability to
ejaculate, lowered libido
Mood swings
Pain around the eyes or eye
sockets
Sleepiness
Bladder pain
Prickling skin sensation
Numbness
Sensory disturbances
Insomnia
Depersonalization (common)
Nervousness
Nightmares (paroniria)
Hostility
Nausea
Diarrhea
Weight gain
Some documented Trazodone birth
defects and injuries include:
PPHN or persistent pulmonary
hypertension of the newborn, a
heart and lung condition which
can result in respiratory failure,
decreased oxygen to the brain,
and multiple organ injuries.
Congenital Heart Defects
connected to Trazodone and
other SSRIs include ventricular
septal defects and atrial septal
defects, also referred to as
“holes in the heart”, related to
heart murmurs, suppressed
appetite, breathing difficulties,
tiredness, inadequate growth,
etc.
Increased Risk of Autism has
been extensively reported but
evidence has not yet been
considered conclusive enough
for regulatory bodies to ban
prescribing to pregnant women.
Increased Risk of Clubfoot
connected to SSRIs during
pregnancy as reported by
NIMH, where exposure had the
highest increase in clubfoot of
all SSRIs.
Increased risk of
atrial/ventricular defects and
craniosynostosis was reported
in a Canadian study from 1998
to 2010 and published in the
June 2015 issue of the
American Journal of
Gynecology & Obstetrics.
Trazodone Withdrawal, What to
Expect
If using The Road Back Program you
should expect to feel a lot better
within the first couple days of the
program. If you do nothing, expect to
continue to feel as you do now.
Possibly worse as time goes on. The
chance of feeling better if you do
nothing is nil.
In 1999, The Road Back only had
people taper the Trazodone gradually
and slowly. They still suffered.
Around 50% could get off the
Trazodone but most went back on the
Trazodone because they continual
Trazodone withdrawal side effects
would not diminish or go away.
We wish there was a better answer for
you than the above but with working
with over 19 million people over the
last 22 years, the truth is the truth. No
way to water it down to make it sound
better.
Some may think it is just their
depression returning but who would
not feel depressed if they were still
going through Trazodone withdrawal
months after stopping the Trazodone.
We can't stress enough; what you do
or do not do at this moment in time is
critical for your future. Take your
time if at all possible. If you have
brain zaps go buy any omega 3 fish
oil, even the wrong omega 3 fish oil
will help somewhat.
While you read this you may want to
pause and go take a walk. Look at the
trees, the sky or anything off in the
distance. Getting your attention off
your mind and body may do wonders.
Keep this close to your heart; There is
Hope and There is a Solution. We are
speaking directly to YOU.
A 30 day supply of the nutritional
supplements will cost you around
$80. If you feel it is worth $80 to take
a chance that all of this can go away
in a couple of days, then take that
chance. Over the past 22 years many
have sent an email to Jim Harper and
said they were not sure what to do
about the Trazodone withdrawal.
Even after reading this information.
The people that tried something else
generally came back within a few
months and were in worse shape than
before. We do not want this to happen
to you. But if is; Jim will still be here
to assist.
Can Trazodone Make Depression
Worse?
Common sense answers this question.
If depression is one side effect of
taking Trazodone then Trazodone can
cause depression. You do stand a
greater chance of Trazodone causing
depression during withdrawal than
while simply taking the Trazodone as
prescribed. The depression during
Trazodone withdrawal can be due to
the other Trazodone withdrawal side
effects you are experiencing. Who
would not start to get depressed if you
have anxiety from morning to night,
can't sleep and your head feels like it
is on fire.
Trazodone Aggression in Children
Children are more prone to aggression
when taking Trazodone than adults. It
occurs in 10-20% of children taking
any SSRI antidepressant. Two clinical
trials performed by Pfizer, aggression
was the most common reason noted
for Trazodone discontinuation.
Can You Get Addicted to
Trazodone?
Yes and no. This is where Trazodone
dependence is a matter of wording.
Medically speaking in the United
States Trazodone is not addicting. In
Europe it is viewed as addicting. The
bottom line is; Once you take
Trazodone for 7 days the Trazodone
has made its way through your body.
If your body no longer has the
Trazodone in its system, your body
will react to the Trazodone being
gone.
Much like a person that eats a lot a
sweets every day. Your body will
react when the sweet substance is not
present. Call it addicting, as we
would, call it a dependence as United
States physicians will, it is what it is.
If you do not provide the substance
the body reacts and you also have
mental feelings that are not positive.
We can get into the insulin discussion
etc, but we are only talking about a
substance being present and then not
and the body and mind reacting in a
negative manner.
What is the difference between
Trazodone and a Benzodiazepine?
Trazodone is an SSRI medication, an
antidepressant, used to treat
depression and anxiety.
Benzodiazepines are prescribed
mainly for the treatment of anxiety
and panic disorders but also
prescribed off-label to treat
depression.
These two types drug have different
chemical components and were
designed to work on different brain
receptors and neurotransmitters, but
some of their effects can be seen to
overlap. Benzodiazepines are thought
to mainly affect GABA transmission,
which can slow the central nervous
system to reduce anxiety, while
Trazodone is designed to block the
reuptake of serotonin.
Benzodiazepines are known to be
more prone to dependence/addiction
than Trazodone. While the withdrawal
symptoms are similar between both
drugs, Trazodone’s half-life is 22-36
hours, and Benzodiazepines half-life
is much lower. Benzodiazepines can
have more severe complications if
abruptly stopped, including seizures.
For safe Benzodiazepine or
Trazodone withdrawal, either of these
drugs must be slowly tapered to allow
the central nervous system and
neurochemistry to safely normalize.
Choosing to withdrawal from the
Trazodone first or the benzodiazepine
first needs to be evaluated. Use
Chapter 23, The Science to decide is
part of that equation. Depending on
the benzodiazepine you may be taking
with the Trazodone, if you reduce the
Trazodone first it may make you go
into withdrawal on the
benzodiazepine, even if you did not
reduce the benzodiazepine.
How long does Trazodone stay in
your system after the last dosage?
Our founder, Jim Harper, made great
strides with determining this question.
Using his DNA testing company in
2004-2005, Jim conducted hundreds
of DNA tests to determine how fast or
slow medications took to metabolize.
In roughly 34 percent of the
population the Trazodone can take as
long as 48 hours to clear the body. In
others, as little as 8 hours can occur
for the Trazodone to clear the body.
Depending on other habits you may
have, Trazodone could clear faster or
even take more time than the 48
hours. If you smoke cigarettes and
stop smoking while taking Trazodone,
the Trazodone dosage you are taking
will decrease by 15%. On the other
side of this, if you start smoking
while taking Trazodone, the
Trazodone dosage will act as though
it is 15% higher than you think it is.
This is because cigarettes induce an
enzyme used to metabolize
Trazodone and anything using that
same pathway will shoot though much
faster. Caffeine restricts that same
enzyme, so if you start or stop
drinking coffee while taking
Trazodone you will either go into
withdrawal or feel an overdose, even
though you have not changed the
Trazodone dosage.
This is why The Road Back Program
wants you to not change smoking
habits or caffeine habits during the
Trazodone taper.
Can you overdose on Trazodone?
Yes, it is definitely possible for
Trazodone poisoning to occur. A
substantial Trazodone overdose
requires emergency medical
intervention to prevent major health
problems. This list of Trazodone
overdose symptoms would be the
same as those Trazodone side effects
listed above, but more severe.
According to the National Institute of
Health (NIH), the use of intravenous
benzodiazepines is sometimes
required during Trazodone overdose
to prevent seizures. Extra cooling
measures must be used to reduce
hyperthermia, always under the
direction of EMT or other medical
staff attending to the patient.
Treatment for Trazodone
Withdrawal
Trazodone has become one of the
most frequently prescribed
antidepressants in the US. Of equal
importance is that depressive
disorders have become one of the
most frequently diagnosed conditions.
These two facts together underscore
two important steps toward improved
health:
Providing safe treatment
programs for those who have
decided on Trazodone
withdrawal, and
Offering drug-free options to
regain natural mental health
without the need for
prescription medications.
The Road Back Program was
described by Dr. Hyla Cass M.D.
in this way:
Here's an essential handbook on
how to safely and more easily
wean yourself (under medical
supervision) off the heavily over-
prescribed psychotropic
medications. I have used the
program with my patients and it
works!" Hyla Cass M.D. Author
of Supplement Your Prescription
Send an email to Jim Harper by
using the Contact link on the top of
this page or read How to Get Off
Psychoactive Drugs Safely by Jim
Harper and follow the program for
Trazodone withdrawal.
Why Jim
put his entire book on our website
for free is so you can instantly read
the material and start this process
if you are ready now.
One last thing Jim asked us to
provide at the bottom of each page
of Trazodone descriptions:
There is Hope and There is a
Solution