Acute Side Effects Of Trazodone

Trazodone, or Desyrel, is an antidepressant that is most commonly used as a sleep aid. It's often used in patients who have problems with addiction because unlike many sleep medications, it's not addictive. It can be used in a wide range of doses, but some patients find it difficult to tolerate its side effects. It has some potentially severe sexual side effects.

Suicide Risk

Like other antidepressants, trazodone can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and acts, especially in the beginning of treatment. This side effect is especially common in younger patients, but can occur at any age. As explained by "The National Center for Biotechnology Information," increasing depression, internal discomfort and agitation are worrying signs that are thought to precede suicidal acts. Akathisia, which is a sense of internal restlessness accompanied by repetitive movements, such as pacing back and forth, is a possible predictor of suicidality, especially when occurring early in treatment. Suicidal thoughts can occur in patients treated with antidepressants even if they were not depressed prior to beginning treatment.

Cardiovascular and Other Side Effects

Trazodone may cause a rapid or irregular heart beat. Orthostatic hypotension, a drop in blood pressure when standing up can occur. Fainting can occur. Trazodone blocks, to some extent, the muscarinic cholinergic receptors that are distributed widely throughout the body. This can lead to dry mouth, blurry vision, constipation and confusion. Headache, nausea, ringing in the ears and nightmares are other troublesome side effects.

Priapism

Priapism is a sustained, often painful erection that's unrelated to sexual arousal. Though rare, it's a serious condition, in which the blood vessels in the penis are engorged and can't discharge the blood back to the body. Unless treated within several hours, priapism can cause permanent impotence, as explained by MyClevelandClinic.org. Though priapism most often affects men, it can occur in women, too.