Amitriptyline and trazodone are two of the medicines taken by people to treat major depressive disorder. These medicines help individuals feel better. Amitriptyline and trazodone do not belong to the same category of drugs and, therefore, work a bit differently.
It takes some trials to find the drug and dosage that works the best for you. Therefore, a healthcare expert’s prescription is a must before taking either of these medications. Now, here in this blog, you’ll get all the details about amitriptyline vs trazodone and what are the uses, forms, doses, dosages, color, side effects, and precautions of using these drugs.
Comparison Between Amitriptyline & Trazodone
Amitriptyline
Amitriptyline is a generic medication drug used to treat symptoms of depression. It is a prescription-only medicine and must only be taken after consultation from a healthcare provider. It belongs to the class of drugs known as Tricyclic antidepressants.
The drug is also available in brand-name variants like Elavil, Endep, Vanatrip, etc. This medication has been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US since April 7, 1961.
Trazodone
Trazodone is a generic medicine used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD). It belongs to the class of drugs known as Phenylpiperazine antidepressants. This medication must only be consumed after consulting a healthcare expert as this is a prescription-only drug.
The medicine is also available in brand-name variants, which include Desyrel, Desyrel Dividose, Oleptro, etc. This drug has been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US since December 24, 1981.
Uses
Trazodone
Trazodone is an FDA-approved medication, used for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). It helps in improving mood and reducing symptoms of depression by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Trazodone is often prescribed off-label to treat insomnia, especially in individuals who face difficulty in falling asleep.
It is generally prescribed as it can help promote sleep without causing dependency issues which are very common with other sleep medications. This drug may also be prescribed off-label to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, particularly in cases where anxiety occurs with depression. It may sometimes be used off-label to help in managing chronic pain conditions.
Amitriptyline
Amitriptyline is used for treating symptoms of depression. It acts by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, which helps in improving an individual’s mood and alleviates the symptoms of depression. It is also prescribed off-label for managing chronic neuropathic pain conditions and other nerve-related pain syndromes.
It can help reduce pain by acting on the neurotransmitters involved in pain signaling. Amitriptyline is often used off-label for the prevention of migraines. It helps in migraine prevention by changing the levels of certain neurotransmitters, which can reduce migraine triggers. Just like trazodone, amitriptyline may also be prescribed off-label for the treatment of insomnia.
Doses & Dosages
Amitriptyline
It is available in oral tablet form and has different dosage strengths. These strengths are as follows:
- 10 mg
- 25 mg
- 50 mg
- 75 mg
- 100 mg
- 150 mg
These dosage strengths help healthcare providers to provide treatment based on the severity of symptoms, individual responses to the medication, and the specific condition being treated.
Trazodone
It is available in immediate-release and extended-release tablet forms and has different dosage strengths. They are as follows:
Immediate-Release
- 50 mg
- 100 mg
Extended-Release
- 150 mg
- 300 mg
It is crucial for patients to follow the healthcare professional’s instructions carefully related to the dosing and any adjustments to ensure the safe and effective use of the medicine.
Color
Trazodone
The color of trazodone tablets can vary depending on the manufacturer and dosage strength. They are as follows:
- White: Trazodone tablets are often white, especially the lower dosage strengths.
- Yellow: Some trazodone tablets might be yellow, particularly for higher dosage strengths or extended-release forms.
Amitriptyline
Amitriptyline tablets usually come in different colors depending on the manufacturer and dosage strength. However, common colors are as follows:
- 10 mg: White or off-white
- 25 mg: Yellow
- 50 mg: Blue
- 75 mg: Pink
- 100 mg: Green
Side Effects
Amitriptyline
Common side effects include:
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Drowsiness or dizziness
- Weight gain
- Increased sweating
- Urinary retention
Severe side effects include:
- Arrhythmias
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Severe allergic reactions
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- Manic episodes
- Withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly
Trazodone
Common side effects include:
- Drowsiness or dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Weight gain
Severe side effects include:
- Priapism
- Serotonin syndrome
- Severe allergic reactions
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- Irregular heartbeats
- Liver problems
Precautions
Here are some precautions that one must take before consuming these drugs:
- Amitriptyline and Trazodone are prescription-only drugs. Therefore, consult a healthcare expert before consuming them. Also, inform the doctor if one is allergic to these medications, or has any other allergies. The drugs might contain non-essential ingredients, which may cause allergic reactions or other adverse effects.
- Women should avoid consuming these medicines especially if they are pregnant. It passes into breast milk and may have unwanted effects on an infant. Tell the healthcare provider immediately if the baby develops problems such as unusual sleepiness, trouble breathing, or difficulty eating. Consult the doctor prior to breast-feeding the baby.
- Before taking these medicines, inform the healthcare professional about medical history, especially breathing problems, brain disorders, liver diseases, kidney diseases, mental disorders, personal or family history of overuse of or addiction to alcohol or drugs, obesity, difficulty urinating, stomach problems, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, etc.
