Can you take Buspirone in the morning and Trazodone at night?

In this article, we will discuss the concomitant use of Buspirone, an anti-anxiety medication and Trazadone, an antidepressant. We will talk about the potential benefits and risks of this combination, and how one should never take it without a doctor’s approval. 

Can you take Buspirone in the morning and Trazodone at night?

You can take Buspirone in the morning and Trazodone at night, but only if prescribed by your healthcare provider. These medications have distinct mechanisms of action and are typically prescribed for different conditions. 

Combining them should be carefully determined by a doctor who has your complete medical history, and knowledge of your current symptoms and specific needs. 

Buspirone is commonly prescribed to treat anxiety disorders (1). It works by affecting certain neurotransmitters in the brain to reduce anxiety symptoms (1). 

Trazodone, on the other hand, is often prescribed for conditions like depression and insomnia (2). It primarily works as a serotonin modulator and antagonist, helping to regulate mood and improve sleep at low doses (3). 

The combination of Buspirone and Trazodone is highly individualized and the doses are carefully adjusted to prevent adverse events as much as possible. 

If your doctor decides that combining these medications is necessary for your treatment, he/she will closely monitor your progress to make sure that this is the right choice of combination treatment for you. 

Even though there are plenty of people taking this combination for years, it doesn’t indicate that this is the right choice of treatment strategy for you. Our bodies are unique and what works for you may not work for me.

Potential benefits of taking Buspirone in the morning and Trazodone at night

Taking Buspirone in the morning and Trazodone at night under a doctor’s supervision can provide some potential benefits. Taking Buspirone in the morning can help provide relief from anxiety symptoms during the day. 

It’s known for its calming effects and can help reduce anxiety-related worries and tension, allowing you to face your daily activities with greater ease (1). 

Trazodone, when taken at night, can promote better sleep. It’s often used to treat insomnia and can help you fall asleep and stay asleep through the night (2). This can lead to more restful and refreshing sleep, which is essential for overall well-being. 

Anxiety often disrupts sleep, and Trazodone’s ability to improve sleep quality can reduce the risk of insomnia caused by anxiety. By combining these medications, you can achieve comprehensive anxiety management. 

Buspirone addresses anxiety during the day, while Trazodone helps with sleep at night. This 24-hour approach can provide more consistent relief from anxiety symptoms. 

Managing anxiety and improving sleep can have a positive impact on your overall mood and daily functionality. You may find that you have more energy, better focus, and an improved sense of well-being. 

Potential risks of taking Buspirone in the morning and Trazodone at night

Taking Buspirone in the morning and Trazodone at night is associated with some potential risks, including a possibility of additive side effects. Both medications can cause dizziness, drowsiness, and lightheadedness (4,5). 

Taking them together may increase these effects, which can be bothersome and affect your daily activities. It is a known fact that people respond differently to medications, and not everyone can do well on this combination. 

Some individuals may experience side effects more intensely than others, or they may be more sensitive to certain side effects. It’s essential to communicate any side effects with your healthcare provider. 

Furthermore, taking two of such medications on the same day can put some people at a higher risk of serotonin syndrome which is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition. 

Serotonin syndrome can occur when taking medications that affect serotonin levels in the brain, like Buspirone and Trazodone (6). 

Symptoms of this syndrome include: (6)

  • Agitation
  • Restlessness
  • Difficulty thinking clearly or focusing.
  • Rapid heartbeat.
  • Abnormally large pupils.
  • Stiff muscles
  • Muscular pain
  • Elevated body temperature.
  • Profuse sweating.
  • Shivering or tremors
  • Diarrhoea 
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Serotonin syndrome is a medical emergency and requires immediate attention. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider or seek medical help right away.

Takeaway

Taking Buspirone in the morning and Trazodone at night can be beneficial for some people, but may trigger unusual symptoms in others. This is why you need to make sure you only combine such medications when prescribed by your doctor. 

If your doctor has recommended this combination, it’s important to closely monitor your symptoms to check your body’s response to these meds when used on the same day. 

If you notice anything out of the ordinary side effects your doctor informed you about or if the side effects are intolerable for you, please seek medical attention right away. 

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References

1.-

Wilson TK, Tripp J. Buspirone. 2023 Jan 17. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30285372. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK531477

2.-

Shin JJ, Saadabadi A. Trazodone. 2022 Jul 10. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 29262060. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470560

3.-

Jaffer KY, Chang T, Vanle B, Dang J, Steiner AJ, Loera N, Abdelmesseh M, Danovitch I, Ishak WW. Trazodone for Insomnia: A Systematic Review. Innov Clin Neurosci. 2017 Aug 1;14(7-8):24-34. PMID: 29552421; PMCID: PMC5842888. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5842888/

4.-

MedlinePlus. Buspirone: MedlinePlus drug information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US). Available from:  https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a688005.html

5.-

MedlinePlus. Trazodone: MedlinePlus drug information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US). Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a681038.html

6.-

Simon LV, Keenaghan M. Serotonin Syndrome. 2023 Jul 17. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 29493999. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482377

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