Drug interactions
Ethanol + Trazodone
Severity: Moderate
Ethanol and Trazodone: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Alcohol intensifies the sedative and psychomotor-impairing effects of trazodone and can worsen dizziness and orthostatic hypotension. It may also counteract the antidepressant's benefit in depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ethanol and Trazodone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and vasodilatory or hypotensive effects.
What to do
Advise patients to avoid alcohol while taking trazodone, particularly around bedtime dosing. Counsel against driving if both have been taken.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Trazodone
- Arsenic trioxide + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Levoketoconazole + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Trazodone Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ethanol with Trazodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ethanol and Trazodone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Alcohol intensifies the sedative and psychomotor-impairing effects of trazodone and can worsen dizziness and orthostatic hypotension. It may also counteract the antidepressant's benefit in depression.
How serious is the interaction between Ethanol and Trazodone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise patients to avoid alcohol while taking trazodone, particularly around bedtime dosing. Counsel against driving if both have been taken.
What other medicines interact with Trazodone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Trazodone with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Ibutilide, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Trazodone page.
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