Which is better ambien or trazodone

That sleeplessness has also triggered a wave of people seeking relief. Prescriptions for insomnia drugs also increased, according to GoodRx, a prescription drug research firm. Some of those prescription meds, such as Ambien, Belsomra, and Lunesta , are quite familiar.

But prescriptions also spiked for another drug often used to help people fall asleep: trazadone, a decades-old antidepressant that can cause drowsiness as a side effect. Trazodone, in fact, has long been among the most commonly prescribed medications to treat sleeplessness.

Trazodone was first approved as an antidepressant by the Food and Drug Administration in A handful of studies have shown that trazodone may improve sleep during the first two weeks of treatment. As a result, little is known about how well it works or how safe it is past that point for the treatment of chronic insomnia. Updated treatment guidelines from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine published in recommend that doctors turn first to cognitive behavioral therapy CBT before drugs for most people suffering from insomnia.

The American College of Physicians also does not recommend trazodone in its insomnia treatment guidelines. Still, prescribing data suggests that some doctors remain convinced that trazodone is an appropriate sleep medication for many people, even those without depression. As a result, doctors can prescribe trazodone without a limit on how many pills a patient can receive. And perhaps because trazodone is unlikely to cause dependence, the high levels of prescribing suggests that many physicians may believe trazodone is safer than other frequently prescribed sleep medications.

But there are no studies that confirm this. Other drugs approved to treat insomnia can impair your ability to recall new experiences and may even—although rarely—cause you to walk, eat, have sex, or drive a car while essentially unconscious. It appears to be more likely than other sleep drugs to leave you feeling drowsy the next day , which increases the chance of having an accident, particularly while driving or using heavy machinery. It can also cause abnormally low blood pressure and, in turn, trigger dizziness or even fainting, particularly in seniors, which can increase the risk of falling.

A study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that seniors with dementia who were given trazodone as a sleep aid were as likely to fall as seniors given antipsychotics, other drugs that can cause sedation. Trazodone can also cause heart rhythm disorders. And some evidence suggests that it can cause priapism, or persistent erection, a medical emergency that may require surgery and can lead to impotence if not treated promptly.

And a black box warning in the package insert PDF notes that trazodone, like other antidepressants, can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children and adolescents, even when taken at approved doses for depression. For the average person who has occasional bouts of insomnia, making certain lifestyle changes may help the most, including avoiding big meals, alcohol, smoking, and exercising late at night, and working or watching TV in bed.

Increasing the amount taken each day increases the risk of overdose. And the repeated high dosage by people who misuse the drug recreationally puts them at high risk for overdose. When an individual is addicted to trazodone, they will have painful side-effects known as withdrawal symptoms when the drug leaves their body.

The body has adapted to regular high doses of trazodone by changing the receptors it interacts with. When there is no more of the drug in the body, these changes cause a sick feeling. The body has been compensating for the trazodone effects so without the drug, we lose the ability to regulate those affected neurotransmitters on our own. Withdrawal symptoms include:. There have been several studies that show that trazodone may improve sleep during the first two weeks of treatment.

As a result of that, not enough is known about how it works or how safe it is after that point. But still, data suggests that some doctors are convinced that trazodone is an appropriate sleep medication. According to Eric J. Olson, M. Ambien and similar medications can be effective for sleep problems. And it is much less likely to become habit-forming than some other medications that are prescribed, such as benzodiazepine drugs.

Sleep medications can hide an underlying problem that needs to be addressed. Learn about the programs and services available. After becoming oriented to the facility, you will need a professional assessment to determine your needs and to develop a specific treatment plan for you.

The next step is a medically supervised detox to gradually eliminate trazodone from your body. This reduces the risks of severe withdrawal symptoms, some of which are life-threatening. This step uncovers and treats the underlying causes of the addiction and gives you the tools to overcome the addiction and resist triggers. You will have the chance to take part in therapy in group sessions and one-on-one with your counselor. Therapy sessions and social support are necessary for changing the harmful thoughts and behaviors that caused your addiction.

Social support is also a key part of maintaining your recovery. While you attend therapy sessions, you will either live at the facility as part of a residential program. Or you may attend therapy sessions during the day and go home every evening as part of an outpatient program.

These issues will be discussed with input from your doctors, therapist, and yourself as to what is best for you. The purpose of the last phase is to assist you in transitioning into programs that will help continue the lifelong process of recovery.

You may choose to continue counseling, join support groups such as narcotics anonymous, or look into sober housing. Studies show that people who take part in some type of aftercare have a better chance of preventing relapse. Sudden withdrawal from trazodone can have serious consequences. You need a treatment center that is experienced in the detox process. Discovery Institute has licensed medical professionals who can help you ease your way through withdrawal.

In addition, we have certified substance use counselors to help you discover your reasons for misusing trazodone and help you learn new thoughts and behaviors to stay clean. Starting dose is 5 mg by mouth at bedtime for women, and 5 or 10 mg by mouth at bedtime for men. The medication should only be taken once at nighttime it should not be taken again during the night , immediately before bed, with at least 7 to 8 hours to sleep.

The maximum dosage is 10 mg at bedtime. How long is the typical treatment? Varies Short-term, varies Who typically uses the medication? Adults Adults Conditions treated by trazodone and Ambien Trazodone is indicated to treat major depressive disorder depression in adults.

It is also used off-label for insomnia treatment. Ambien is used to treat insomnia on a short-term basis. However, some people take Ambien for a longer time, under the close supervision of their doctor. One study looked at trazodone vs Ambien for insomnia. Both drugs were tolerated well with few side effects.

Both trazodone and Ambien helped people in the study sleep better during the first week, but only Ambien helped people sleep better the second week. The study found Ambien to be more effective than trazodone. However, both recommendations are categorized as weak, which the American Academy of Sleep Medicine defines as a low level of certainty or appropriateness. You can also talk to your healthcare provider about other recommendations to help with sleep problems, including counseling and sleep hygiene.

Most insurance and Medicare prescription plans cover trazodone. Most insurance and Medicare prescription plans cover generic Ambien, but they do not cover the brand-name product, or if they do, they charge a much higher copay. As plans vary and are subject to change, contact your insurance provider for the most up-to-date insurance coverage information.

In short-term clinical trials, the most common side effects of Ambien included drowsiness, dizziness, and diarrhea. In people who took Ambien for 28 to 35 nights, the most common side effects were dizziness and a drugged feeling. This is not a complete list of side effects. Other adverse effects may occur. Talk with your healthcare professional about what side effects to expect and how to address them.

Trazodone should not be used within 14 days of an MAOI antidepressant. Trazodone should not be taken in combination with other drugs that increase serotonin due to the risk of serotonin syndrome.

These drugs include other antidepressants, lithium, triptans, St. Do not take Ambien with other medicines that cause central nervous system CNS depression or other drugs that prolong the QT interval.

Because of its CNS depressant effects, do not take Ambien with other drugs with the same effect, such as opioids, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, or alcohol, due to additive effects. Ambien should not be taken with rifampin, because rifampin can decrease Ambien levels. Ambien should not be taken with ketoconazole or the Ambien dose should be lowered , because ketoconazole can increase Ambien levels.

This is not a full list of drug interactions. Other, serious side effects may occur. See the Warnings section for more information. Consult your doctor for a full list of drug interactions. Before taking trazodone or Ambien, talk to your doctor about all of the medical conditions you have and all of the medications you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter OTC medications, and vitamins or supplements. When you fill or refill your trazodone or Ambien prescription, you will receive a Medication Guide that discusses warnings, side effects, and other important information.

Read the Medication Guide every time you fill your prescription. Trazodone has a black box warning , or boxed warning, which is the most serious warning required by the FDA. All antidepressants, including trazodone, can increase the risk for suicidal thoughts and behavior. The risk is higher in children, adolescents, and young adults. Anyone who takes trazodone should be closely monitored for mood changes and suicidal thoughts and behavior.