Trazodone is a antidepressant medication, used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, trouble falling asleep (insomnia), and with other medications, alcohol dependence.
The primary use of trazodone is the treatment of major depression. Data from open and double blind trials suggest the antidepressant efficacy of trazodone is comparable to that of amitriptyline, doxepin, and mianserin. Also, trazodone showed anxiolytic properties, low cardiotoxicity, and relatively mild side effects.
Low dose trazodone is used off label in the treatment of insomnia.
Other off label and investigational uses are as follows:
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Alcohol withdrawal
- Schizophrenia as an adjunct to improve negative symptoms
- Erectile dysfunction
- Female sexual dysfunction
