Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications Common Side Effects and Overdose Symptoms of Trazodone By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. Learn about our editorial process Marcia Purse Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD on July 10, 2020 twitter linkedin Daniel B. Block, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Pennsylvania. Learn about our Review Board Daniel B. Block, MD Updated on July 11, 2020 Print Mariam Ushkhvani / EyeEm / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Common Side Effects Less Common Side Effects When to Seek Medical Attention Signs of Overdose Withdrawal Symptoms Trazodone is an antidepressant sometimes used in treating depressive symptoms in bipolar disorder. It is also often prescribed to treat insomnia across a broad variety of psychiatric illnesses. It is also used off-label to treat aggressive behavior in dementia. Trazodone was originally solid under the brand name is Desyrel; there is also an extended-release form sold under the brand name Oleptro. Common Side Effects These common side effects of trazodone may lessen or stop altogether once your body gets used to the medication. Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects don't go away or are bothersome: Back pain Blurred vision Constipation Diarrhea Dizziness or lightheadedness Drowsiness Dry mouth Fatigue Headache Nausea Trazodone's sedating effect is so common that the drug is prescribed for sleep problems. Consequently, do not engage in potentially hazardous activities, including driving, until you know how this drug affects you. Less Common Side Effects Always notify your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of these less common side effects. Abdominal pain Abnormal gait Agitation Amnesia Bladder pain or incontinence Confusion Disorientation Fainting (syncope) Fast or slow heartbeat Flushing (skin becoming red and warm) Hearing problems Migraine Muscle aches Muscle tremors Muscle twitching Night sweats Problems with coordination or memory Sensitivity to light Shortness of breath Skin rash Speech problems Tingling Tinnitus Unusual excitement Urgent need to urinate Visual disturbance Vomiting How Trazodone Impacts Sex When to Seek Medical Attention In addition to the above unusual side effects requiring a medical evaluation, painful, prolonged erection of the penis can occur after taking trazodone. Stop taking this medicine and seek emergency medical attention if this happens. This condition, called priapism, can result in permanent damage to erectile tissues if not treated promptly. Other Rare But Serious Side Effects Seek medical help immediately if you or a loved one experiences symptoms of these conditions: Serotonin syndrome, a serious, potentially life-threatening illness caused by too much serotonin in the body Hyponatremia, a low concentration of sodium in the blood Black Box Warning Like all antidepressants, trazodone is required to carry a warning regarding the increased possibility of suicidal thinking or behavior in young adults (24 and under), adolescents, and children. Talk to your doctor right away if you or a family member is experiencing suicidal thoughts. Signs of Overdose Call your doctor or a poison control center immediately if you or a loved one have potentially overdosed on trazodone. Symptoms of overdose can include: Drowsiness Loss of muscle coordination Nausea and vomiting Painful erection that does not go away Respiratory arrest Seizures Slower or faster heartbeat Withdrawal Symptoms As with other antidepressants, it's important to not discontinue trazodone without your doctor's approval and guidance. You will likely be put on a tapering schedule so that the medication has a chance to gradually work its way out of your system, decreasing your risk for unpleasant effects. Withdrawal symptoms that may occur, especially if you stop using trazodone suddenly, include: Anxiety Agitation Sleep disturbances If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with racing thoughts? Always feeling tired? Our guide offers strategies to help you or your loved one live better with bipolar disorder. Sign up for our newsletter and get it free. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Oleptro (trazodone hydrochloride) extended-release tablets Prescribing Information. 2014. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Trazodone. Updated April 15, 2017. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. DESYREL (trazodone hydrochloride) tablets, for oral use Prescribing Information. 2018.