Disonata4

[Disonata4]

Hi, I am very new to antidepressants for anxiety and depression. Was prescribed Lexapro 5mg for anxiety/depression and Trazodone 50 mg for insomnia, been on Lexapro 5mg for 10 days now and Trazodone I took for 7 days and I wanted to get off it yesterday since I sleep too much on it and makes me late to work. I slept fine last night taking melatonin to sleep instead of trazodone, but noticed my mood was worse than normal today. I talked to my doctor and they said I can just stop the trazodone cold turkey if I want since it has only been a week, but is it recommended to taper the trazodone instead? This is my first time ever taking psychiatric drugs.

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to the forum!  I'm sorry you are having to deal with this. Fortunately, you have been on these medications for a short time, and most likely should not have much trouble getting off.  

 

Be very careful of going off any psychiatric medications cold turkey.  Even though you have only been on Trazodone a short time, it may have already caused some changes to your nervous system.  If it were me, I would do a fast taper, since you have only been on it for 7 days.  I would try taking 25 mg by cutting the pill in half, do that for a week.  If you feel some effects from reducing the trazone, let us know and we will advise further.   

 

Once you feel OK, you could drop to 12.5 mg by cutting the pill in 1/4, and take that each day.  See how you feel.  Once you feel OK on that, I think you could stop.  

 

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Here is some information on Trazodone. 

About Trazodone and Tapering Off of It

 

Now normally we suggest a 10% taper each month, and the 10% is based on the current dose, but in your case you have been on it such a short time, I don't think this is necessary for you. 

 

This link explains how psych drugs remodel the brain.  Unfortunately many doctors are unaware of this.  It's great you are getting off now!  

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel the Brain

 

Please let us know how it goes.  We are here to help!  

 

Edited March 12, 2021 by getofflex
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