Can you take Prozac in the morning and Trazodone at night?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
In this article, we will discuss taking Prozac (Fluoxetine) in the morning and Desyrel (Trazodone) at night – both of which are antidepressants. We will also talk about the potential benefits and risks of this combination.
Can you take Prozac in the morning and Trazodone at night?
You can take Prozac in the morning and Trazodone at night, but only if prescribed by your healthcare provider. The combination of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), such as Prozac, and Trazodone is prescribed quite frequently these days (1).
Both of these medications are antidepressants which work differently to balance the amount of excitatory chemicals in the brain to help manage symptoms associated with depression and anxiety (2,3).
Although taking Prozac in the morning and Trazodone at night can offer some potential benefits, it is not the right treatment choice for every individual.
What does research suggest?
Several researchers studied the combination of Prozac and Trazodone and observed various outcomes. One research study explored the interaction between Fluoxetine and Trazodone in treating depression (4).
It found that Fluoxetine can increase the levels of Trazodone in the body, which may enhance the antidepressant effects of this combined treatment.
This suggests that the combination of Fluoxetine and Trazodone may be more effective in managing depression due to these increased drug levels (4).
Another research study explained that adding Trazodone to Fluoxetine affected depressed patients. They found that for about 37.5% of the patients, this combination improved both sleep and depression (5).
However, the remaining patients either didn’t benefit from it or experienced side effects. So, while Trazodone can be helpful for some, it may not work for everyone and can have adverse effects (5).
Another research study looked into the effects of combining Fluoxetine and Trazodone in pharmacotherapy. The combination led to severe negative reactions in some individuals, including irritability, anger, anxiety, and loss of appetite. These adverse effects are likely due to an interaction between the two drugs (6).
Potential benefits of taking Prozac in the morning and Trazodone at night
Taking Prozac in the morning and Trazodone at night can have some potential benefits. Prozac, when taken in the morning, can help improve mood and alleviate symptoms of depression during the day by regulating brain chemicals related to mood.
Trazodone at night can promote better sleep and reverse Prozac-induced insomnia, which is essential for overall well-being (7). This combination can offer enhanced antidepressant effects and better nighttime sleep, making it a valuable option for managing depression and sleep disturbances.
Potential risks of taking Prozac in the morning and Trazodone at night
There are some potential risks associated with taking Prozac in the morning and Trazodone at night. The two antidepressants may cause additive side effects.
Furthermore, improperly adjusted doses or taking two medications with a small time interval can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome (8).
It is a rare condition and very high doses of antidepressants lead to this syndrome, but people are different and may react differently to this combination.
Some people may also take other medications which may or may not affect serotonin levels in the brain. This can also increase the chances of drug-drug interactions.
Takeaway
Taking Prozac in the morning and Trazodone at night can offer potential benefits, and some people respond really well to this combination. However, it’s not for everyone. Just like one shoe can’t fit all of us, this medication combination may not suit every individual’s needs.
Our bodies and minds are as unique as our fingerprints, so what works for one person might not be the right fit for another. That’s why it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare professional before starting or changing any medication regimen.
Your doctor has full access to your medical history and knows about your symptoms. he/she will determine the best treatment strategy to manage your symptoms in a safe and effective way. Just make sure you properly follow your doctor’s directions.
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References
1.-
Clark NA, Alexander B. Increased rate of trazodone prescribing with bupropion and selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors versus tricyclic antidepressants. Ann Pharmacother. 2000 Sep;34(9):1007-12. doi: 10.1345/aph.19101. PMID: 10981245. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10981245/
2.-
Sohel AJ, Shutter MC, Molla M. Fluoxetine. 2022 Jul 4. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 29083803. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459223
3.-
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
4.-
Maes M, Westenberg H, Vandoolaeghe E, Demedts P, Wauters A, Neels H, Meltzer HY. Effects of trazodone and fluoxetine in the treatment of major depression: therapeutic pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions through formation of meta-chlorophenylpiperazine. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 1997 Oct;17(5):358-64. doi: 10.1097/00004714-199710000-00004. PMID: 9315986. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9315986/
5.-
Nierenberg AA, Cole JO, Glass L. Possible trazodone potentiation of fluoxetine: a case series. J Clin Psychiatry. 1992 Mar;53(3):83-5. PMID: 1548249. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1548249/
6.-
Amin R. Fluoxetine and Trazodone Combination Pharmacotherapy Resulting in Severe Irritability, Anger, Anxiety, and Anorexia: Probable Adverse Drug Interaction. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2016 Aug 11;18(4). doi: 10.4088/PCC.15l01917. PMID: 27828706. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27828706/
7.-
Nierenberg AA, Adler LA, Peselow E, Zornberg G, Rosenthal M. Trazodone for antidepressant-associated insomnia. Am J Psychiatry. 1994 Jul;151(7):1069-72. doi: 10.1176/ajp.151.7.1069. PMID: 8010365. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8010365/
8.-
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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