Taking Trazodone With Melatonin

There are no known drug interactions between melatonin and trazodone.

However, both can cause sedation and drowsiness, so caution is recommended if taken at the same time.

If using both for sleep, be sure to speak with your doctor regarding the best therapy options for your particular situation.

Below is some additional information regarding both medications.

Trazodone Information

Trazodone is an oral antidepressant, structurally unrelated to other antidepressants. Trazodone is indicated for the treatment of a variety of conditions, including:

• Major depression
• Generalized anxiety disorder (not an FDA approved indication)
• Panic disorder (not an FDA approved indication)
• Insomnia (not an FDA approved indication)

Trazodone is known to have anxiolytic effects, which is why it is often prescribed off-label (i.e. non-FDA approved indication) for anxiety disorders and insomnia.

The Clinical Practice Guideline for the Pharmacologic Treatment of Chronic Insomnia in Adults, published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, does not recommend the use of trazodone. Per the guideline:

"We suggest that clinicians not use trazodone as a treatment for sleep onset or sleep maintenance insomnia (versus no treatment) in adults."

Although there is limited efficacy data regarding its use for insomnia, it may be an appropriate choice for those with concomitant disease states, such as generalized anxiety disorder.

Additionally, trazodone is not classified as a controlled substance (unlike most other common sleep medications) and has little risk for abuse and dependency.

After taking a dose by mouth, the onset of action for immediate release trazodone products is around 30 minutes.

Trazodone is also available in an extended-release formulation, Oleptro.

Melatonin Information

Melatonin (5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine) is an endogenous hormone produced by the pineal gland. It has numerous effects and roles in the body but is most commonly associated with regulating the sleep-wake cycle.

Studies show that supplementation with melatonin may help to regulate or fix sleep disturbances that occur with:

• Insomnia
• Jet lag
• Night shift workers
• Depression
• Neurological disabilities

Melatonin levels increase in response to various stimuli (e.g. darkness, time of day) and are thought to play a major role in wakefulness. Melatonin supplementation, therefore, is used to aid in treating issues related to sleep disorders.

Most over-the-counter melatonin supplements are synthetic, with very few derived from animal (bovine) pineal glands. In most situations, animal-derived melatonin products are not recommended due to the potential risk of contamination.