PlainPill

Trazodone

People mainly take Trazodone for sleep, libido, mood. Based on 41 first-hand reports and 105 meta-analyses & systematic reviews in the medical literature. Ranked #54 of 1,974 overall.

55
User score
Mixed
34% positive10% mixed17% negative39% unclear

Of reports that state an outcome, 56% are positive.

Clinical research
AStrong research base
105
meta-analyses
165
RCTs
2,391
papers

What Trazodone does, according to users

Of the people who reported each effect, the share who said it got better.

4 more with fewer than 3 reports
betterno changeworse

What the research says

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, with their published conclusions.

AStrong research base

3+ meta-analyses or systematic reviews and 10+ randomized controlled trials in humans. The grade measures how much human research exists — read the conclusions below for what it found.

Lancet · 2018 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
Comparative efficacy and acceptability of 21 antidepressant drugs for the acute treatment of adults with major depressive disorder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Conclusion: All antidepressants were more efficacious than placebo in adults with major depressive disorder. Smaller differences between active drugs were found when placebo-controlled trials were included in the analysis, whereas there was more variability in efficacy and acceptability in head-to-head trials. These results should serve evidence-based practice and inform patients, physicians, guideline developers, and policy makers on the relative merits of the different antidepressants.

PubMed 29477251 ↗
JAMA Netw Open · 2024 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
Drug Efficacy in the Treatment of Antipsychotic-Induced Akathisia: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Conclusion: In this systematic review and network meta-analysis, mirtazapine, biperiden, and vitamin B6 were associated with the greatest efficacy for AIA, with vitamin B6 having the best efficacy and tolerance profile. Trazodone, mianserin, and propranolol appeared as effective alternatives with slightly less favorable efficacy and tolerance profiles. These findings should assist prescribers in selecting an appropriate medication for treating AIA.

PubMed 38451521 ↗
Lancet · 2022 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
Comparative effects of pharmacological interventions for the acute and long-term management of insomnia disorder in adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Conclusion: Overall, eszopiclone and lemborexant had a favorable profile, but eszopiclone might cause substantial adverse events and safety data on lemborexant were inconclusive. Doxepin, seltorexant, and zaleplon were well tolerated, but data on efficacy and other important outcomes were scarce and do not allow firm conclusions. Many licensed drugs (including benzodiazepines, daridorexant, suvorexant, and trazodone) can be effective in the acute treatment of insomnia but are associated with poor tolerability, or information about long-term effects is not available. Melatonin, ramelteon, and non-licensed

PubMed 35843245 ↗
CNS Drugs · 2024 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
Effects of Trazodone on Sleep: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Conclusion: Trazodone extends total sleep time but does not affect perceived sleep duration. It may improve sleep quality and continuity but has minor effects on sleep latency, efficiency, and daytime impairment. Trazodone is associated with adverse effects, necessitating a careful risk-benefit assessment. Limited data restrict generalizability, underscoring the need for more research.

PubMed 39123094 ↗

Dosage people report

As stated by users — not a recommendation. Follow the label or your doctor.

50 mgas reported
50 mgbefore sleep, occasionally
for sleepas reported
50 mgdaily
150 mgnightly
300 mgnightly

Reported side effects

How often each side effect came up across all reports.

drowsiness ×3brain fog ×2pssd ×1emotional blunting ×1weight gain ×1acetyl cholinergic ×1priapism risk ×1side effects ×1

What users say

Verbatim quotes, shortened only — each links to the original discussion.

“Currently on Trazadone which does almost nothing.”
Source discussion ↗
“can't fall in love like before a few pills of an antidepressant (Trazodone).”
Source discussion ↗
“One that I found particularly useful in this regard, that is also known for not causing dependence is trazodone - 50mg is popular off-label to induce sleep.”
Source discussion ↗
“I take 150mg Trazodone at night to help me sleep, without remembering my dreams”
Source discussion ↗
“my sleep stack is 10mg of Melatonin and 300mg Trazodone. Puts me to sleep fast, and I wake up 8 hours later refreshed.”
Source discussion ↗
Top discussions (5)

Other options for sleep

User data from public discussions; research from PubMed. Information only, not medical advice — talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. Data updated October 2, 2026. How we rate