Trazadone

I average about 6-7 hours of sleep daily, sometimes more, and sometimes less. My optimum sleep where I wake up and feel well rested is 8-9 hours, which happens once in a while. I generally don't like taking anything for sleep I'll take a Benadryl 25mg tablet occasionally and that gives me about 7 to 7.5 hours of sleep.Recently I was prescribed trazodone 25mg for sleep, but fear taking it because it's classed as SARI anti depressant and I'm afraid of side effects as I had an extremely bad experience with an SSRI that kept me up all night and made me worse at the time many years ago.I'm thinking since Benadryl 25mg does a decent job maybe I can try Trazodone at 12.5mg?Thanks!

I average about 6-7 hours of sleep daily, sometimes more, and sometimes less. My optimum sleep where I wake up and feel well rested is 8-9 hours, which happens once in a while. I generally don't like taking anything for sleep I'll take a Benadryl 25mg tablet occasionally and that gives me about 7 to 7.5 hours of sleep.Recently I was prescribed trazodone 25mg for sleep, but fear taking it because it's classed as SARI anti depressant and I'm afraid of side effects as I had an extremely bad experience with an SSRI that kept me up all night and made me worse at the time many years ago.I'm thinking since Benadryl 25mg does a decent job maybe I can try Trazodone at 12.5mg?Thanks!

I average about 6-7 hours of sleep daily, sometimes more, and sometimes less. My optimum sleep where I wake up and feel well rested is 8-9 hours, which happens once in a while. I generally don't like taking anything for sleep I'll take a Benadryl 25mg tablet occasionally and that gives me about 7 to 7.5 hours of sleep.Recently I was prescribed trazodone 25mg for sleep, but fear taking it because it's classed as SARI anti depressant and I'm afraid of side effects as I had an extremely bad experience with an SSRI that kept me up all night and made me worse at the time many years ago.I'm thinking since Benadryl 25mg does a decent job maybe I can try Trazodone at 12.5mg?Thanks!

@jamesduke209: SSRIs and SARIs have different mechanisms of action and side-effects. SSRIs are rarely used to assist with sleep issues while the latter, although not primarily prescribed for this purpose (depression being the primary) has been found to be effective at lower dosage. Trazodone is one such SARI that can help - at least on an occasional basis - due to the sedating effect it has. It does so by regulating serotonin levels and other brain receptors, including histamine - which OTC Benadryl, the generic name is diphenhydramine, also works to block.

I'm not entirely clear from your question, but if you're considering combining the two: 12.5 of diphenhydramine and 12.5 of Trazodone the short answer would be that's not advisable as it could lead to increased drowsiness and potential other interactions. BUT I'm inclined to think what you're asking is if you can try taking half the dosage of the 25 mg Trazodone. As long as it's a scored tablet you can readily halve, and not a timed-release capsule, that ought to be fine to try to see if it would have the desired effect. However, as with all medications and dosages,, your best bet, as @jc76 stated, is to confirm with the provider who prescribed it.

Hope it helps. Can you let me know if you get some good Zzzz's?

I average about 6-7 hours of sleep daily, sometimes more, and sometimes less. My optimum sleep where I wake up and feel well rested is 8-9 hours, which happens once in a while. I generally don't like taking anything for sleep I'll take a Benadryl 25mg tablet occasionally and that gives me about 7 to 7.5 hours of sleep.Recently I was prescribed trazodone 25mg for sleep, but fear taking it because it's classed as SARI anti depressant and I'm afraid of side effects as I had an extremely bad experience with an SSRI that kept me up all night and made me worse at the time many years ago.I'm thinking since Benadryl 25mg does a decent job maybe I can try Trazodone at 12.5mg?Thanks!

grammato STOP doing research on your medication all the time, it does not help you. If your Dr put you on them & you wish to find out more ask your Dr. beside just by taking a few pills for a short time is not going to cause any problems
we all take med of some sort and yes lots of med are not always good but with out trying them first you won't know. but first ask your Dr he should be able to help you there but Stop doing research all the time

grammato STOP doing research on your medication all the time, it does not help you. If your Dr put you on them & you wish to find out more ask your Dr. beside just by taking a few pills for a short time is not going to cause any problems
we all take med of some sort and yes lots of med are not always good but with out trying them first you won't know. but first ask your Dr he should be able to help you there but Stop doing research all the time

@janetfree
Several years ago was really struggling with PTSD anxiety/panic disorder. My ability to sleep was non existent.

My phychiatric specialist prescribed ambien but it did not work. She then put me on Trazodone. It did work. For me it kept my mind from racing to one subject to another. KInd of put a brake on it and went to sleep.

I have been on trazondone for a couple of years now as with other medications and some life style changes (exercising) have improved my condition along with the serious issue I was under at the time.

No medication is going to work the same for every person. It is why don't give up but keep trying to find one that works. But from my experience never stop a medication without going through your doctors. Some require you to slowly come off a medication or you can have side affects.

@jc76
@jc76 replying to @jc76. I am reading my post and as usual I make spelling errors or miss typed something.

Where you read on my post "I have been on trazondone for a couple of years now." It should have read OFF not on. Hope that mistake did not cause confusion with context of my post.

@jc76 you need to proof read your post. @jc76 okay @jc76 will try to do better. 🤢

I average about 6-7 hours of sleep daily, sometimes more, and sometimes less. My optimum sleep where I wake up and feel well rested is 8-9 hours, which happens once in a while. I generally don't like taking anything for sleep I'll take a Benadryl 25mg tablet occasionally and that gives me about 7 to 7.5 hours of sleep.Recently I was prescribed trazodone 25mg for sleep, but fear taking it because it's classed as SARI anti depressant and I'm afraid of side effects as I had an extremely bad experience with an SSRI that kept me up all night and made me worse at the time many years ago.I'm thinking since Benadryl 25mg does a decent job maybe I can try Trazodone at 12.5mg?Thanks!