How Long Does Trazodone Stay In Your System

April 12, 2022
Uncategorized

Trazodone Fundamentals

Trazodone is a common antidepressant medication with a variety of uses. While not typically a drug of abuse, it can still appear in drug tests and cause a host of problems if not taken as prescribed. This article explains how long trazodone can stay in your system and where to seek help if trazodone use has become a problem.

What Is Trazodone Used For?

Trazodone uses vary, but the drug is primarily prescribed to treat major depressive disorder, as it can help improve mood, energy levels, and appetite. ¹ Aside from treating mood disorders, this medication is often used off-label as a sleep medication. ²

What Class of Drug Is Trazodone?

Drug class refers to how medications produce their effects on the brain. In the case of trazodone, it belongs to a class of drugs known as serotonin antagonists and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs). The trazodone mechanism of action is to increase serotonin levels in the brain, which can help with symptoms of depression.³

Other drugs in this class include Mepiprazole and nefazodone, but trazodone is the most common drug in this class.

Does Trazodone Show Up on a Drug Test?

Most over-the-counter drug tests don’t specifically test for trazodone; however, drug tests sent to a lab can identify trazodone in the system. In addition, trazodone often creates false positives for other drugs—usually LSD or amphetamines.

How Long Does Trazodone Stay In Your System?

How long trazodone stays in your system depends on a variety of factors. For most people, trazodone is eliminated from the body in about three to six days.

Trazodone Half-Life

A drug’s half-life refers to the time it takes for the body to eliminate 50% of the drug from the system. In the case of trazodone, the half-life is about three to nine hours. Nonetheless, trazodone’s half-life has a wide variation because it is broken down into phases, and different people can metabolize the drug at different rates.

How Long Does Trazodone Stay In Your System for a Blood Test?

Blood tests are typically used in medical or legal settings to immediately check if somebody is under the influence of a drug. Blood tests can detect substances for about four to five times the half-life, so in the case of trazodone, the drug will show up in a blood test for between one and three days.

How Long Does Trazodone Stay In Your System for a Urine Test?

Urine tests check for drug metabolites that are excreted from the kidneys. While most urine tests don’t test for trazodone specifically, they may show false positives for amphetamines for up to twenty-six days.

How Long Does Trazodone Stay In Your System for a Hair Test?

Compared to all the various drug tests, a hair follicle test can detect the previous use of trazodone for the longest period. Hair tests can detect trazodone in the system three to four months after the last use.

How Long Does Trazodone Stay In Your System for a Saliva Test?

Saliva tests, like urine tests, don’t typically test for trazodone. Theoretically, however, trazodone may show up on a saliva test three days after last use.

Factors That Affect How Long Trazodone Stays In Your System

Several factors affect how long trazodone stays in your system. These include: ⁴

The more trazodone is ingested, the longer it will show up on a trazodone drug test. In addition, older people may not be able to break down trazodone as efficiently, and it may take longer for the medication to leave the system.

Trazodone Abuse Risks

While trazodone is not a commonly abused drug, the side effects of trazodone abuse can be tremendously harmful.

Trazodone Side Effects

Trazodone has several side effects, which worsen when taken in large quantities. These side effects include:

Repeated abuse of trazodone can also cause a disorder known as serotonin syndrome. This condition can have serious long-term consequences and may even be life-threatening if not treated by medical professionals. Booking a visit to your primary care Doctor or even a telehealth appointment if you experience any of these side effects is very important.

Trazodone Overdose

Large doses of trazodone can quickly lead to overdose. If you think somebody is experiencing an overdose, call 911 immediately and follow the instructions given to you by the emergency responders. Signs of trazodone overdose include:

Overdose from trazodone is often the result of combining this medication with other drugs. Therefore, Trazodone should not be taken with any illicit substances or alcohol, and it’s important to consult with a doctor about whether other prescriptions are safe to take with this drug.

Trazodone Withdrawal

Trazodone withdrawal symptoms can happen if this medication has been taken for a long time, then stopped suddenly. It’s important to consult with a doctor Treating before ceasing the use of prescription medications to ensure there are no dangerous or uncomfortable withdrawal effects.

Treatment for Trazodone Abuse at Stillwater Behavioral Health

A trained addiction professional may be needed to help address the use of medications like trazodone. Treating substance use disorders takes a multi-pronged approach to correctly and safely address the physical, psychological, and social consequences of addiction.

Trazodone Detoxification and Withdrawal

The first stage in addiction treatment is going to a medical detoxification center. These facilities are staffed with medical professionals who can treat withdrawal symptoms and make detox as comfortable as possible. Nonetheless, detox only treats the physical component of addiction—to achieve long-lasting recovery, it must be followed by care at an addiction treatment facility.

Residential Care

Residential care is the best choice for most people in combating substance use disorder. Residential treatment allows patients to fully dedicate themselves to recovery and surrounds them with peers who share similar experiences.

Residential care uses a variety of behavioral and medical treatments to help overcome substance use disorder and equips patients with the tools to stay abstinent for a lifetime.

Contact Us to Learn More

To learn more about the addiction treatment options at Stillwater Behavioral Health, call our addiction specialists at 1-866-531-0802 today. We know how difficult it can be to overcome substance use disorders. Fortunately, our team of mental health and addiction specialists is here to help.

866-525-3070