Can I Take Trazodone and Xanax Together? 10 Severe Side effects and Treatment

People who suffer from anxiety often need a little extra help to get through the day. Whether it’s general anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, or something else, people with these conditions often have a difficult time dealing with them. Doctors frequently prescribe benzodiazepines such as Xanax as well as SSRIs like Prozac and Zoloft for helping patients manage their anxiety. But what about taking Trazodone and Xanax together?

With the right combination of medications, your doctor may be able to reduce the dosage of one or both drugs while simultaneously reducing your symptoms. Talk to your doctor before making any changes to your medication plan, but there are many potential benefits of taking Trazodone and Xanax together.

Can you Take Trazodone and Xanax Together? A Man taking two tablets

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Can you Take Trazodone and Xanax Together?

Theoretically, you can take Xanax and trazodone together but you can not take Xanax and trazodone together because that will result in some serious side effects for example having serotonin syndrome and leading to severe withdrawal symptoms. The effect of taking Xanax and Trazodone together is they can make the mental health problems that you had while seeking treatment worse. Moreover, withdrawal symptoms from both medications can be a bother

Trazodone and Xanax are both commonly prescribed medications for anxiety and depression. In fact, these drugs are often prescribed to be taken together or with additional anxiety medication. The two medications do not affect the same part of the brain but we do not recommend taking them together.

However, because trazodone and Xanax have the potential to cause dangerous side effects when taken together, it is important to understand whether or not this combination is safe before using these two drugs together for anxiety symptoms. Taking them together may increase side effects including dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating

First, it is important to understand that these drugs are metabolized differently in the body. Both of these drugs are SRI’s, but they metabolize at different rates and have different half-lives. Trazodone has a short half-life of 5 hours, while Xanax has a long half-life of 27 hours.

Polysubstance Addiction

If you are taking both drugs at the same time, it is possible that you may experience the onset of polysubstance addiction. This is when you develop an addiction to two or more substances at the same time.

While polysubstance addiction is most commonly associated with taking multiple drugs at the same time, it can also apply if you are taking two drugs at the same time and building up a tolerance or an addiction to those two drugs in particular.

If you take both of these medications at the same time and either build up a tolerance or become dependent on the drugs, you will likely experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking them. If you are taking both of these drugs at the same time, it is important to discuss the risks of doing so with your doctor. They can work with you to come up with a safe treatment plan that doesn’t put you at risk for addiction or withdrawal symptoms.

Physical Dependence

Both drugs have the potential to cause physical dependence, which is the need to take the medication on a regular basis in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

This can be a serious concern if you take both of these medications at the same time and you have an extended period where you have been taking both drugs.

If you are taking both of these drugs at the same time and have been doing so for an extended period of time, it’s important to seek professional help if you stop taking them.

Stopping the use of both drugs at the same time can result in severe withdrawal symptoms. If you need to stop taking both of these medications at the same time, it is important to do so slowly under the supervision of a medical professional.

Drug Potentiation

If you take both drugs at the same time, you may experience drug potentiation, which is the effect of two drugs working together to enhance the effects of one another. This can be either a positive or a negative effect depending on the two drugs being taken.

For instance, if you take both of these drugs at the same time and this potentiates the effects of both drugs, it is possible that the anxiety relief you experience from these drugs will be more intense than if you had taken them one at a time.

On the other hand, it is also possible that the side effects of both drugs will be amplified when taken at the same time.

Trazodone and Xanax: How They Interact

When it comes to the interaction between these two drugs, they can have a positive or negative effect on one another. Depending on the dosage you are taking and the ratio of these two drugs in your system, it is possible that they will have a positive interaction.

This positive interaction may lead to more effective relief of your anxiety symptoms. However, it is also possible that these two drugs will have a negative interaction and work against one another.

This negative interaction may lead to a reduction in the effectiveness of both drugs and may cause more serious side effects. If you take both of these drugs at the same time and experience a negative interaction, it is important to discuss the risks with your doctor.

What is Trazodone?

Trazodone is an anti-depressant medication that is commonly used for the treatment of the major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and insomnia. It is a serotonin receptor antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI) that works by altering the levels of serotonin in the brain.

Trazodone is available in the form of an oral tablet and is commonly prescribed to be taken with or without food one to two times per day. It is metabolized by the liver and has a short half-life of approximately 5 hours.

Because it is metabolized quickly and has a short half-life, it is important to take the dosage at the same time(s) every day to maintain a consistent level of serotonin in your brain.

What is Xanax?

Xanax is a common name for the drug alprazolam, which is a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and insomnia. Alprazolam is metabolized in the liver and has an average half-life of 27 hours, which means it takes the body longer to metabolize this drug than other medications.

This is why it is important to take the correct dosage of alprazolam every day and not miss a dose. Xanax can be taken in tablet form, sublingual tablet, or as a liquid to be taken orally.

It can be taken with or without food, but it is important to take the correct dosage at the same time every day to maintain consistent levels of the drug in your system.

How Trazodone And Xanax Interactions Affect The Brain

The most significant risks associated with taking these medications together are the increased likelihood of experiencing an increase in the severity of side effects. The effects of Xanax and Trazodone interaction in the brain include:

  • anxiety,
  • decreased concentration
  • irritability,
  • nervousness
  • nightmares,
  • speech problems
  • suicidal thoughts
  • trouble with balance or coordination

Furthermore, there is also the potential for the two drugs to cause metabolization issues, which can cause an overdose if you are not aware of the potential for this to occur.

Serotonin Syndrome

Serotonin syndrome is a serious and potentially fatal side effect associated with the combination of these two drugs. It occurs when there is a large amount of serotonin in the brain and blood stream, typically from taking high doses of serotonin-like drugs.

Serotonin syndrome can be fatal, so it is important to seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms of this condition. Common symptoms of serotonin syndrome include dizziness, nausea, excessive sweating, restlessness, seizures, and more.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention right away. If you take both of these drugs at the same time and experience serotonin syndrome, it is important to reduce the amount of serotonin in your system.

Severe Withdrawal Symptoms

If you have been taking both of these medications at the same time for an extended period of time and decide to stop taking both drugs at the same time, there is the potential to experience severe withdrawal symptoms.

These symptoms may be worse than if you had stopped taking these drugs one at a time. The severity of these withdrawal symptoms will depend on the dosages you have been taking, the length of time you have been taking both drugs and the ratio of each drug in your system.

If you have been taking both of these drugs at the same time for an extended period of time and decide to stop taking both drugs at the same time, it is best to do so under the supervision of a medical professional.

Common Side Effects Of Using Xanax And Trazodone Together

When taking both of these drugs at the same time, you may experience a wide range of side effects. These side effects may be more intense or more frequent than if you were to take each drug separately.

It is important to be aware of these side effects and to speak with your doctor if you experience them while taking both of these drugs. Common side effects of taking both of these drugs at the same time may include dizziness. The other common side effect of using Xanax and Trazodone together are:

  • anxiety
  • change in sex drive or function
  • constipation
  • decreased blood pressure
  • diarrhea
  • drowsiness
  • dry mouth
  • headaches
  • irritability
  • muscle aches
  • panic attacks
  • sore joints
  • suicidal thoughts
  • weight changes

Treatment Programs For Xanax Addiction

If you have become addicted to Xanax, treatment may be necessary to help to reduce the severity of your symptoms and to help you avoid experiencing Xanax withdrawal symptoms.

There are a number of different treatment options available, so you can find the program that is right for you. Depending on the severity of your addiction, you may need to be in residential treatment for a period of time.

Some of the ways that Xanax addiction can be treated include:

  • group therapy,
  • individual therapy,
  • inpatient treatment,
  • medical detox,
  • medication management,
  • partial hospitalization programs,
  • outpatient treatment.

Speak with your doctor about any medications you are taking

Your doctor is the best person to help you to understand how these medications interact with one another. Make sure to let your doctor know about all of the prescription medications that you take and any over-the-counter medications that you also take. This will help your doctor to provide you with the best treatment plan.

Signs Of Xanax And Trazodone Abuse

There are a few effects that can be seen in people abusing both Xanax and Trazodone together. Most of the time they will have emotional, effects on their resources and behavior. Some of the common signs in people abusing Xanax and Trazodone are:

  • defensive attitude about prescription drugs
  • difficulty concentrating,
  • erratic behavior,
  • issues with money,
  • social isolation,
  • stories that don’t add up
  • mental focus on medication

If you notice that you are experiencing any of these signs of Xanax or Trazodone abuse, it is important that you seek help from a medical professional immediately.

Trazodone, Xanax, and alcohol

Using alcohol while taking Trazodone or Xanax is extremely dangerous. The combination of Xanax and alcohol increases the risk of serious health conditions such as overdose, seizures, and even death.

Additionally, Trazodone and alcohol can cause drowsiness, slurred speech, and a decreased ability to concentrate, which can affect your ability to drive safely.

Trazodone and Xanax for sleep

When taken together, Trazodone and Xanax can be effective in reducing symptoms related to anxiety and sleep disorders. However, it is important to note that the two medications are not related to each other in any way, and they do not work in the same way in the body. This means that the medications are not intended for the same symptoms.

While both medications are useful in decreasing anxiety, Trazodone is primarily used for the treatment of anxiety disorders and insomnia, while Xanax is primarily used for the treatment of anxiety disorders.

This means that you should consult with a doctor before using these medications together to ensure that the combination is safe for you to use.

What medications should not be taken with trazodone?

If you take Trazodone, you should be careful to avoid taking any other medications that are contraindicated with this medication. This means that you should avoid taking medications that have the potential to cause serious side effects when combined with Trazodone.

If you take Trazodone, you should be careful to avoid taking any other medications that are contraindicated with this medication. This means that you should avoid taking medications that have the potential to cause serious side effects when combined with Trazodone.

If you take Trazodone, it is important to avoid taking medications with a high serotonin content, such as St. John’s wort, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or 5-HT agonists. These medications have the potential to cause serious side effects when taken with Trazodone.

These medications also have the potential to cause serotonin syndrome, a condition that occurs when there is too much serotonin in the body. This can cause symptoms such as confusion, shivering, sweating, muscle stiffness, seizures, and even death.

If you are taking any of these medications, it is important to make sure that your doctor knows about all of the medications that you are taking. This will help your doctor to make sure that the medications are not interacting with one another in a way that could cause any serious side effects.

Some of the contraindicated medications include anxiety medications and supplements such as:

  • buspirone (Buspar®),
  • fentanyl (Abstral®, Duragesic®),
  • lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®),
  • tryptophan,
  • St. John’s wort,
  • Alprazolam (Xanax)

Other treatments that should not be taken with Trazodone include some pain or migraine medicines such as:

  • Frova®,
  • Maxalt®,
  • Relpax®,
  • sumatriptan, tramadol
  • Zomig®)

Trazodone and Xanax high

The most likely side effect that you will experience when taking a combination of Trazodone and Xanax is a feeling of being high. When taken together, these two medications have the potential to cause a significant increase in serotonin levels in the body, which can cause this side effect.

It is important to note that a high caused by the combination of these two medications is different from the high that is associated with a stimulant drug.

The high that is caused by the combination of Trazodone and Xanax is primarily caused by the increase in serotonin levels in the body. It can give you excitement or make you hyper.

Trazodone and Xanax for sleep

If you take Trazodone and Xanax together before bed, you may experience sleep paralysis. Sleep paralysis is a very real phenomenon that occurs as you sleep.

In this state, you are partially awake and partially asleep. It is also referred to as a hypnagogic state. Sleep paralysis is often accompanied by hallucinations.

Sleep paralysis can be scary, but it is not dangerous or harmful. Unfortunately, taking Trazodone and Xanax for sleep may increase the likelihood that you experience sleep paralysis during your sleep.

Conclusion

Trazodone and Xanax are both commonly prescribed medications for anxiety. While each of these drugs has its own unique properties and side effects, both can be useful in the treatment of anxiety.

However, because trazodone and Xanax have the potential to cause dangerous side effects when taken together, it is important to understand whether or not this combination is safe before utilizing this combination for your anxiety symptoms.

3 Citations:

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a684001.html

https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/trazodone-oral-route/precautions/drg-20061280?p=1

https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/trazodone-with-xanax-2228-0-133-54.html

Dr. David Barlow

David is a well-known researcher and author in the anxiety disorders area with extensive research on their etiology, nature, and treatment. He started the site to share his real-life experiences on the management of anxiety disorders with successful diagnosis and treatment being his motivation to write or review the content on this site.