Trazodone might seem harmless to many, as it is not considered addictive, but when used along with other intoxicants like alcohol, it can cause serious health risks. Both of these substances are considered antidepressants and can affect your central nervous system. However, when taken together, they amplify each other’s side effects, causing extreme cases of depression and impaired judgment.

According to a recent study, when prescribed trazodone to people recovering from alcohol addiction, 95% of people suffer from impaired progress.¹ These statistics further add to the destructive results of mixing the two substances.

If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol abuse or suffers from a prescription medication addiction, reach out to us at Nurture Nexus Recovery by giving us a call at (214) 838-7488 and scheduling an appointment.

Can You Mix Trazodone And Alcohol?

It is never a good idea to mix trazodone and alcohol, as they are known to cause adverse effects on your body, including changes in mood and abnormal heartbeat. If you are prescribed Trazodone and enjoy social drinking, it is highly advised to wait an appropriate amount of time before consuming any alcohol.

If you do end up consuming both substances together, avoid any strenuous activities, as these two substances together make you prone to falling, increasing the chances of fall-related injuries. 

Additionally, it is advisable to rest in case of dizziness or if you experience extreme nausea; call a medical emergency. Constant abuse of these two together can even lead to fatal consequences. Even the label on quite a few of the trazodone compound products comes with a clear warning against use with alcohol.²

 

What Happens When You Consume Trazodone And Alcohol?

If you do end up taking trazodone and alcohol together, you can expect intensified side effects from both substances. This might even lead to serious health complications like alcohol poisoning or trazodone overdose.³ 

The combination also increases the risk of heart and liver problems caused by irregular heartbeat, as alcohol is known to cause a disease called fast heart rhythm that may even end up in heart failure.⁴ 

Here is a list of specific side effects to be on the lookout for if you are worried about a dependency.

5 Risks Involved With Mixing Trazodone and Alcohol

Consuming a mixture of different drugs always carries a risk of long-lasting damage to the body. The same is the case for trazodone and alcohol; if left unmanaged, they carry the risk of causing:

1. Amplified Sedation

Trazodone and alcohol both induce drowsiness and sedation. When administered together, they can cause amplified impairment, affecting your day-to-day life and making you prone to falling and hurting yourself. This would make you unable to undertake tasks that require constant attention, like driving, as a single mistake can prove to be fatal.

2. Deepens Depression

Alcohol directly impacts the effect of trazodone on major depressive disorders, causing your mental state to deteriorate with excessive consumption of alcohol if you are on trazodone. This may lead to developing other mental concerns like anxiety, potentially canceling out the benefits of trazodone.

3. Low Sodium Levels

Trazodone can cause low sodium levels in your body, leading to hyponatremia. This is an electrolyte disorder that causes water levels in your body to rise, causing swelling within the cells, which can prove to be fatal if left unattended.⁵ A study has shown that people who consume alcohol are much more at risk of this condition.⁶

4. Liver Problems

Trazodone is mostly metabolized by the liver, and with extended use of the drug, it can cause damage to your liver. According to research, some of the extreme cases have ended in complete liver failure.⁷ While alcohol has also been known to cause liver issues, especially if you’ve been a long-time consumer.

5. Impairs Cognitive Functions

Both alcohol and trazodone affect the central nervous system and lead to impaired cognition and motor functions. Together, they can lead to serious impairment of your coordination and thinking capabilities. It is reported that within users, people find it very hard to make decisions, increasing the risks of potential accidents.

Are There Any Side Effects to Using Alcohol And Trazodone?

Similar to most antidepressants, trazodone and alcohol carry a fair share of side effects, ranging from common migraines to life-threatening conditions.

Side Effects of Consuming Trazodone

The side effects of using trazodone include:⁸

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Priapism
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Blurred vision

Some more severe side effects, like serotonin syndrome, are less common but can cause major harm to your body. This is caused due to an excess amount of serotonin being produced and stored within your body. If you suffer from such side effects, find out how to get the best treatment for your situation as soon as possible.

Side Effects of Consuming Alcohol

As for alcohol abuse, the side effects are just as dangerous. They include:⁹

• Weakens the heart
• Risks of heart attacks
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Abnormal cholesterol
• Impaired brain activity
• Strokes
• Compromised immune system

Excessive consumption of alcohol has some of the most devastating effects when it comes to recreational sedatives. It also increases the risk of developing liver, colon, and oral cancer.

Long-lasting Effects Of Alcohol And Trazodone

Now, if you consume these two substances together, the side effects intensify. Mixing these two together can create life-threatening problems. Some of the major problems these substances cause are:

• Dangerous intoxication levels
• Overdose 
• Reduced efficacy of antidepressants
• Risk of addiction
• Sudden loss of consciousness
• Anxiety
• Delirium
• Seizures

Worst-case scenario, this combination of substances can even lead to death.

Alcohol Addiction And Antidepressants

It is common to find alcohol abuse co-occurring in patients with depression and other psychological issues. However, the diagnosis of these problems has been a topic of debate for a while now due to the prescription of antidepressants like trazodone and its interaction with alcohol.⁷ 

Most antidepressants come with a legal tag that states that they cannot be used with intoxicants like ethanol, the primary component of recreational alcohol. Due to their non-addictive properties, people often underestimate the effect that SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) like trazodone might have on their health. 

“Mixing depressants like alcohol with antidepressants is more dangerous than people realize. Alcohol, when combined with SSRIs or SNRIs, can actually worsen mental health symptoms rather than relieve them. And if someone’s on medication like Trazodone, which already has a sedative effect, and consumes alcohol, they will exhibit amplified side effects, even to the point of overdose, if consumed regularly or in large amounts.”

• Dr. Taiye Popoola

Withdrawal Symptoms of Alcohol and Trazodone

Trazodone does not provide a euphoric high, making it one of the least addictive prescription antidepressants. However, abuse of the drug still happens around the country.¹⁰ Similar to other prescription drugs, trazodone also carries withdrawal symptoms if you quit. Especially if you are used to combining it with alcohol.

Here are some of the most common withdrawal symptoms of trazodone and alcohol:

• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
• Sweating
• Rapid pulse
• Hallucinations
• Delirium 

Manage Prescription Medication And Alcohol Addiction With Nurture Nexus Recovery

Suffering from depression while battling alcohol addiction can be extremely trying. But having Nurture Nexus Recovery Center help you through it can make it a lot easier. Our team of medical experts will help you or your loved ones get started towards a better sober future.

Nurture Nexus offers every individual a personalized recovery plan in Texas, addressing their problems and needs towards a better, healthier life. Call us at (214) 838-7488 or contact us to get your second chance today!

FAQs About Alcohol and Trazodone

Is it Bad to Mix Alcohol and Trazodone?

Although mixing alcohol and trazodone does not have immediate health implications, it is strongly advised not to mix the two. This is because the manifestation of side effects is different for each individual, and this mixture can cause fatal problems to some people.

How Long Does Anxiety Last if You Mix Alcohol and Trazodone?

Anxiety after taking alcohol and trazodone usually lasts anywhere between 10-15 hours, based on your health. This is because the half-life of trazodone is 10 hours and can be elongated based on physical factors.

Do Alcohol and Trazodone Make You Lose Weight?

Mild side effects of taking trazodone and alcohol include unintentional weight loss. However, these side effects are usually temporary, and your weight should recover by quitting alcohol and maintaining a healthy diet.

Is Trazodone Like Xanax?

No, trazodone is not like Xanax, as Xanax is a quick-acting benzodiazepine, prescribed to manage panic attacks. At the same time, the effects of trazodone might not be apparent even after weeks, as it is an antidepressant and is more subtle in action.