Trazodone's Effects on Sleep and Clinical Guidelines

Clinical Implications and Guidelines

• The American Academy of Sleep Medicine does not recommend trazodone as a treatment for sleep onset or sleep maintenance insomnia, as evidence shows only minimal benefits at 50 mg doses 3
• The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Defense clinical practice guidelines advise against using trazodone for chronic insomnia disorder, noting that its low-quality evidence of efficacy is outweighed by its adverse effect profile 2, 4
• Clinical guidelines do not recommend trazodone for the treatment of insomnia, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and other organizations 1, 2

Adverse Effects and Considerations

• Trazodone use is associated with significantly more side effects than placebo, including headache and somnolence 1

Alternative Treatment Options

• Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is considered first-line treatment for adults with chronic insomnia disorder 6