Does Trazodone cause muscle pain?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Does Trazodone cause muscle pain?
No, Trazodone is not commonly associated with muscle pain and it is not a frequently reported side effect. Trazodone can actually be used for the management of chronic pain and Trazodone-induced myalgia has been reported in one or two cases only.
If you do feel muscle pain and Trazodone is the only medication you take, talk to your healthcare provider. People respond differently to medications and some may feel muscle pain.
People who are new to Trazodone or antidepressants, in general, are usually susceptible to such side effects, and they may start to get better as their bodies adjust to the medication.
However, it’s always best to talk to your doctor about your side effects and to determine the safety and efficacy of Trazodone for future use.
If this antidepressant is affecting your muscle health in any way, your doctor will most likely taper you off and safely switch you to another antidepressant. Make sure you don’t stop using Trazodone without consulting your doctor first.
What side effects are common with Trazodone?
Trazodone, although it may not cause muscular pain, can cause a number of side effects. These include: (1,2)
- Drowsiness
- Dry Mouth
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Acid reflux
- Nightmares
- Blurred Vision
Trazodone may also cause some rare side effects, including:
- Allergic Reactions: Some individuals may experience allergic reactions to Trazodone, which could include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or difficulty breathing. Seek immediate medical attention if any signs of an allergic reaction occur. (3)
- Priapism: This is a rare but serious side effect where men may experience a painful and prolonged erection.
- Serotonin Syndrome: Although very uncommon, Trazodone can, in some cases, lead to serotonin syndrome, a potentially serious condition that occurs due to an excess of serotonin in the body.
It is essential to note that the individual responses to medications can vary. If you are prescribed Trazodone and experience any side effects, it is essential to inform your healthcare provider.
What to do if you’re experiencing persistent muscle pain while taking Trazodone?
If you’re experiencing persistent muscle pain while taking Trazodone, it’s essential to talk to your healthcare provider as soon as possible. They can evaluate your symptoms, determine if the muscle pain is related to the medication, and recommend appropriate actions.
Depending on the severity and cause of the muscle pain, your doctor may adjust your Trazodone dosage, switch you to a different medication, or suggest additional treatments to alleviate the discomfort.
Never ignore persistent muscle pain while on any medication, and always seek professional medical advice for proper evaluation and management.
Some helpful tips for managing muscle pain
There are some tips that can help you with muscle pain. These include:
- Take OTC painkillers like Acetaminophen.
- Rest and avoid overexertion.
- Use a heating pad or warm towel to relax tight muscles or apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to reduce inflammation and numb the area.
- Perform gentle stretches and low-impact exercises to improve blood circulation and promote healing. (4)
- Identify any specific activities, movements, or positions that worsen your muscle pain and try to avoid them.
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References
1.-
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
2.-
Haria M, Fitton A, McTavish D. Trazodone. A review of its pharmacology, therapeutic use in depression and therapeutic potential in other disorders. Drugs Aging. 1994 Apr;4(4):331-55. doi: 10.2165/00002512-199404040-00006. PMID: 8019056. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8019056/
3.-
Maguire J, Singh AN. Allergic type response to trazodone. Br J Psychiatry. 1987 Feb;150:271-2. doi: 10.1192/bjp.150.2.271. PMID: 3651694. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3651694/
4.-
Andersen LL, Jay K, Andersen CH, Jakobsen MD, Sundstrup E, Topp R, Behm DG. Acute effects of massage or active exercise in relieving muscle soreness: randomized controlled trial. J Strength Cond Res. 2013 Dec;27(12):3352-9. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3182908610. PMID: 23524365. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23524365/
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