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Can Trazodone Be Taken Instead Of Seroquel Without Side Effects?
Brief Answer:
here's how to do it
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
The best way to do it is to talk to the doctor that prescribes the drugs for you. If you do not want to do that or can not do that, I will give you a safe way to transfer from one to the other.
Trazodone is a much safer sleep medication so I am glad that you are changing to that.
Cut the seroquel in half and take 12.5 mg of seroquel with 25 mg of trazodone to start. After one week stop the seroquel and continue on the 25 mg of trazodone. You may not need more than that but if you do you can increase by 25 mg per week once a week up to 100 mg. If that dose does not work you need to try a different sleep aid.
Some other things that can help. No alcohol at all if you are having sleep problems. No caffeine 6 hours before bedtime. No electronics including TV 3 hours before bedtime. Exercise daily at least walking for 30 minutes but not right before bedtime. Eat your last food 3 hours before bedtime.
Good sleep to you,
Dr. Robinson
here's how to do it
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
The best way to do it is to talk to the doctor that prescribes the drugs for you. If you do not want to do that or can not do that, I will give you a safe way to transfer from one to the other.
Trazodone is a much safer sleep medication so I am glad that you are changing to that.
Cut the seroquel in half and take 12.5 mg of seroquel with 25 mg of trazodone to start. After one week stop the seroquel and continue on the 25 mg of trazodone. You may not need more than that but if you do you can increase by 25 mg per week once a week up to 100 mg. If that dose does not work you need to try a different sleep aid.
Some other things that can help. No alcohol at all if you are having sleep problems. No caffeine 6 hours before bedtime. No electronics including TV 3 hours before bedtime. Exercise daily at least walking for 30 minutes but not right before bedtime. Eat your last food 3 hours before bedtime.
Good sleep to you,
Dr. Robinson
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi
Thanks for your answer. Are there any adverse side effects I should know about trazadone?
Thanks for your answer. Are there any adverse side effects I should know about trazadone?
Brief Answer:
two side effects
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your follow up.
Trazodone is very safe. Its biggest side effect is sleepiness and that is why it makes such a great sleep aid. This is usually not a problem at low doses needed to treat insomnia but rarely it can have priapism as a side effect.
Priapism is an erection that will not go down. If you have an erection that lasts more than 2 hours then you should go to emergency. I have prescribed a lot of trazodone but have never had a man get this side effect. It is quite rare and usually only occurs at higher doses than those used for sleep.
Dr. Robinson
two side effects
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your follow up.
Trazodone is very safe. Its biggest side effect is sleepiness and that is why it makes such a great sleep aid. This is usually not a problem at low doses needed to treat insomnia but rarely it can have priapism as a side effect.
Priapism is an erection that will not go down. If you have an erection that lasts more than 2 hours then you should go to emergency. I have prescribed a lot of trazodone but have never had a man get this side effect. It is quite rare and usually only occurs at higher doses than those used for sleep.
Dr. Robinson
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi. Yes, I have one more follow-up question. I am having a lot of trouble cutting the pills to smaller size. Trazadone is a 100 mg pill, which I am trying to cut in quarters. Seroquel is 25 mg and a VERY small pill. I have a pill cutter and also a razor blade. It's usually impossible to cut them evenly no matter how I line them up. Other then going to a compounding pharmacy in another city, is there an easier way to do this? I don't imagine my dr can prescribe these in smaller doses. Or does it really matter how precise this is? Thanks.
Brief Answer:
need the 50 mg trazodone
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the follow up.
You really need to get your doctor to give you a prescription for the 50 mg trazodone. Almost no one needs 100 mg for sleep, usually 25-50 will help most people get a good night's sleep. If you take too much you will be groggy the next day. The 50 mg tabs are scored and easy to break with a pill cutter.
the seroquel is harder to cut. Just get as close as you can to a half a pill. It does not have to be exact.
I hope this helps
Dr. Robinson
need the 50 mg trazodone
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the follow up.
You really need to get your doctor to give you a prescription for the 50 mg trazodone. Almost no one needs 100 mg for sleep, usually 25-50 will help most people get a good night's sleep. If you take too much you will be groggy the next day. The 50 mg tabs are scored and easy to break with a pill cutter.
the seroquel is harder to cut. Just get as close as you can to a half a pill. It does not have to be exact.
I hope this helps
Dr. Robinson
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
HI.
I messed up. I was actually on more like 40 mg of seroquel to start. I lowered it to 25 mg and took 25 mg of trzadone. Much to much sedation. I think I over did it. That wasn't safe and I should wait to get to 12.5 of seroquel? My body will come to depend on that? I'll try the 12.5 of seroquel and 25 mg of trazadone tonight. Will check with the prescribing dr tomorrow also on 50 mg of trazadone pills. What are your thoughts please?
I messed up. I was actually on more like 40 mg of seroquel to start. I lowered it to 25 mg and took 25 mg of trzadone. Much to much sedation. I think I over did it. That wasn't safe and I should wait to get to 12.5 of seroquel? My body will come to depend on that? I'll try the 12.5 of seroquel and 25 mg of trazadone tonight. Will check with the prescribing dr tomorrow also on 50 mg of trazadone pills. What are your thoughts please?
Brief Answer:
I agree with your plan
Detailed Answer:
Yes, I agree that taking both 25 of seroquel and 25 of trazodone can cause oversedation. The seroquel dose is fairly low though in the scheme of things, some folks take 800 mg of seroquel daily. I think it would be safe for you to try just the 25 mg of trazodone if you can't get the 12.5 of seroquel.
Regards
Dr. Robinson
I agree with your plan
Detailed Answer:
Yes, I agree that taking both 25 of seroquel and 25 of trazodone can cause oversedation. The seroquel dose is fairly low though in the scheme of things, some folks take 800 mg of seroquel daily. I think it would be safe for you to try just the 25 mg of trazodone if you can't get the 12.5 of seroquel.
Regards
Dr. Robinson
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi. You recently advised me on seroquel and trazadone. Dr has me on 12.5 of seroquel and 25 or 50 of trazadone. 50 mg works well. 25 mg sometimes. I will get off seroquel.
Also on celexa 20 mg. Due to health (major neck fusion last year) and other issues (which probably affected my sleep) have had minor anxiety and depression (I think). Eyes watering seems to be an issue now. I don't know if I would classify it as crying. I noticed that gabapentin that I am on has this weird side effect. But not sure what is causing it? I asked the question of the eye dr and he said it wasn't blocked tear ducts (I have it in both eyes). Would you have any ideas on this one?
Also on celexa 20 mg. Due to health (major neck fusion last year) and other issues (which probably affected my sleep) have had minor anxiety and depression (I think). Eyes watering seems to be an issue now. I don't know if I would classify it as crying. I noticed that gabapentin that I am on has this weird side effect. But not sure what is causing it? I asked the question of the eye dr and he said it wasn't blocked tear ducts (I have it in both eyes). Would you have any ideas on this one?
Brief Answer:
possible allergies
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for the follow up,
I am glad you got the trazodone/seroquel issue straightened out. The most commmon cause of eye watering if it is not a blocked tear duct is some sort of allergy. You could try a non-sedating antihistamine like loratadine. I would not take benadryl if I were you because it is also sedating and you don't wan to take too many sedating medications at the same time.
Regards,
Dr. Robinson
possible allergies
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for the follow up,
I am glad you got the trazodone/seroquel issue straightened out. The most commmon cause of eye watering if it is not a blocked tear duct is some sort of allergy. You could try a non-sedating antihistamine like loratadine. I would not take benadryl if I were you because it is also sedating and you don't wan to take too many sedating medications at the same time.
Regards,
Dr. Robinson
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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