Does trazodone contain alcohol? (+3 risks)
By
Ivan Kahwa
Author bio
Mr Ivan Kahwa is a chemist and phytopharmaceutical scientist with expertise in chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry, and Nanobiotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.
Mr Ivan Kahwa’s Highlights:
Guest Researcher at the University of Leipzig, Senior Research Fellow/Scientist, and Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Professional Experience:
Mr Ivan joined PHARMBIOTRAC as a research fellow/scientist during his master of science tenure. He contributed to the development of most of the phytopharmaceutical products in the project. Furthermore, he participated in carrying out the pharmacological activities of the developed products in laboratory animals such as mice and rats in order to develop proper doses hence leading to pre-clinical studies.
With the above relevant research experience, Ivan started to work with the University of Leipzig on collaborative projects with Mbarara University to develop the chemistry of Ugandan Medicinal plants and their pharmacological activities. This was coupled with several consultative positions by different German NGOs. Mr. Kahwa is also a supporting in the teaching and learning at the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
With the increase in antimicrobial resistance globally, Ivan retooled his thinking towards developing new naturally derived antibiotic regimens from Ugandan propolis with the assistance of nanotechnology to improve their delivery to microbial cells. Kahwa has also published over 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals and he is currently reviewing for many journals.
Education:
2023-2027: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (ongoing) with a focus on Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Nanobiology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2022: 2Msc. in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2018: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Publications:
▪ Iqbal, S., Jabeen, F., Kahwa, I., & Omara, T. 2023. Suberosin Alleviates Thiazolidinedione-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic Rats by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Modulation of ACSL4-LPCAT3 and PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathways. Cardiovascular Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-023-09804-7
▪ Gupta, A. K., Yadav, R., Sharma, S., Sawale, J., & Kahwa, I. 2023. Anti-ageing Activity and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extracts of Leaves and Flowers of Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 15(3), 448–455. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2023.15.60
▪ Tolo, C.U., Kahwa, I., Nuwagira, U., Weisheit, A. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Medicinal plants used in treatment of various diseases in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25, pp.1-16.
https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/4683
▪ Kahwa, I., Ajayi, C.O., Yadav, R., Chauhan, N.S., Shah, K., Abdelgadir, A.A., Shegena, E.A., Daniel, S., Omara, T., Asiimwe, J.B. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies as an invaluable approach for correct identification of medicinal plants: The case of Artemisia vulgaris L. substituted for Artemisia annua L. in Western Uganda. TMR Integr Med, 7, p.e23004.
https://doi.org/10.53388/TMRIM202307004
▪ Nalimu, F., Oloro, J., Kahwa, I. and Ogwang, P.E., 2021. Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, pp.1-21.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00296-2
▪ Elamin, O.H.S., Ali, M.A., Elgezuli, I.A.A., Bashir, M.A. and Kahwa, I., 2021. Diagnosis of pre-and post-treatment of echinococcus granulosus with counter current immune electrophoresis and bacterial co-agglutination. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 11(02), pp.88-94.
https://doi.org/10.5799/jmid.951600
Published book Chapter
▪ Kahwa, I., Ayesiga, I., Nakalema, S., Alinaiswe, R., Mbabazi, R. and Iqbal, S., 2023. Natural products in the management of onchocerciasis. In Natural Products in Vector-Borne Disease Management (pp. 63-80). Academic Press. Book Chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91942-5.00012-4
Submitted manuscripts Under Review:
▪ Comparison of the Wound Healing Activity of the Leaf and Leaf Ash Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina in Rats. Journal name: Clinical Phytoscience
▪ Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal plants used in the management of cancer in Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Herbal Medicine
▪ Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of epilepsy by PROMETRA-Uganda Traditional Health Practitioners in Mpigi District, Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Submitted book chapters under review
1.Book title: Algae as a Natural Solution for Water-Food-Energy Nexus, Section 4: Microalgae and cyanobacteria for food applications, Chapter 4.6: Safety, toxicological and allergenic aspects of using algae for food. Authors: Christine Kyarimpa, Tom Omute, Caroline K. Nakiguli, Alice V. Khanakwa4, Christopher Angiro, Ivan Kahwa, Fortunate Ahumuza, Timothy Omara*. Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore.
2.Book title: Nutraceuticals Inspiring the Contemporary Therapy for Lifestyle Diseases. Chapter: Nutraceutical applications of Seaweeds and their Phytocompounds in Nutrition and Treatment of Diseases. Authors: Ivan Kahwa, Timothy Omara , Innocent Ayesiga , Gael Noel Neh Neba Ambe , Zehbanaz Javidbhai Panwala , Rachel Mbabazi , Shabnoor Iqbal , Christine Kyarimpa , Christine Betty Nagawa , Kamal Shah ,Nagendra Singh Chauhan* Publisher: CRC Press
You can view my works on the following professional sites:
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan-Kahwa
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tOwrvqoAAAAJ&hl=en
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6440-3437
Linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/ivan-kahwa-865450159
In this article, we will discuss whether trazodone contains alcohol. We will also discuss ingredients commonly used to make trazodone formulations and other related information.
Does trazodone contain alcohol?
No, trazodone does not contain alcohol. Different medications may contain alcohol as an excipient but trazodone does not contain alcohol. Alcohol is primarily used as a solvent in liquid formulations but not every medication contains alcohol.
Trazodone is classified as a serotonin antagonist reuptake inhibitor (SARI), and antidepressant and is primarily used to manage major depressive disorder (MDD). Due to its ability to cause sedation, it is also used as a hypnotic (1).
Trazodone comes in solid and liquid dosage forms. It can be formulated as a tablet, capsule, and oral and injection solution (1). Different excipients are used to make these formulations but alcohol is not one of them.
Why is alcohol used as an excipient?
Excipients are ingredients added to a pharmaceutical preparation along with the active ingredient. They serve different purposes and aid the manufacturing process. They are important for the formulation but have no therapeutic effects.
Different excipients are used while preparing a medication in solid or liquid form. They can be used as a filler, binder, lubricant, disintegrant, or coating and coloring agent.
One of the commonly used excipients in pharmaceutical formulations is alcohol. Ethanol is the commonly used alcohol as an excipient which may be used for the following reasons:
Solvent: Alcohol can be used as a solvent in formulations. It allows the active and inactive ingredients to dissolve and facilitate the creation of liquid formulations.
Preservative: Alcohol also serves as a preservative in liquid formulations because it is an antimicrobial and has bactericidal and fungicidal activity.
Penetration enhancer: Alcohol is frequently used in topical products meant for skin like sprays, gels, and creams. Alcohol alters the permeability of the skin and improves the absorption of the medication.
Although alcohol has many uses as an excipient, it is not used in trazodone formulation.
What does trazodone formulation contain?
Commonly used trazodone formulations include trazodone tablets and oral solutions. They contain trazodone as the active ingredient, the hydrochloride salt form known as trazodone hydrochloride.
Trazodone tablets come in the strengths of 50mg, 100mg, 150mg, and 300mg. The ingredients used in trazodone hydrochloride tablets as listed by the manufacturer include (2):
- corn starch
- microcrystalline cellulose
- lactose monohydrate
- dibasic calcium phosphate
- magnesium stearate
- hypromellose
- polyethylene glycol
- povidone
- pregelatinized starch
Trazodone oral solution contains 10-20mg of trazodone every ml. The ingredients used in trazodone hydrochloride oral solution as listed by the manufacturers include (3):
- benzoic acid
- sodium saccharin
- glycerol
- sodium hydroxide
- sorbitol liquid
- purified
It is important to remember that the ingredients in the trazodone formulations may vary according to the manufacturer. However, alcohol is not used in the formulation of trazodone.
What are the risks of mixing trazodone and alcohol?
Alcohol is not used in formulating trazodone because trazodone and alcohol interact with each other and alcohol can enhance the effects of trazodone. This is why individuals are advised to not drink alcohol while taking trazodone.
Enhanced sedation:
Trazodone has sedative properties as it functions as an antagonist of some serotonin, histamine (H1), and alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Due to its ability to cause sedation, it is used to treat insomnia and sleep apnea.
Research indicates that alcohol can amplify the effects of medications that act on the central nervous system. Mixing alcohol with trazodone enhances the sedative effects and may make it difficult to wake up (4).
Enhanced drowsiness:
Due to the sedative effects, trazodone frequently results in drowsiness as a side effect. High doses of trazodone result in daytime drowsiness which impairs daily functioning.
Studies have shown that alcohol when mixed with medications that cause drowsiness, amplifies this side effect (4). Thus, mixing alcohol with trazodone will increase the risk of drowsiness.
Increased cognitive and motor impairment:
Due to the sedative effects of trazodone, it results in drowsiness and decreases alertness. It can also impair the ability to think and perform physical tasks. Thus, trazodone can cause cognitive and motor impairment (2).
Mixing alcohol with trazodone enhances the side effects of cognitive and motor impairment (2).
Thus, alcohol is not used in making trazodone formulations because it can enhance its action on the central nervous system. Due to this reason, drinking alcohol while taking trazodone should be avoided.
What are some pharmaceutical preparations that may contain alcohol?
Alcohol as an excipient is used in several pharmaceutical preparations. They include:
- cough syrups
- antiseptics
- gels
- cold medications
- disinfectants
- liquid antibiotics
- lotions
- creams
As per my understanding, trazodone does not contain alcohol. Alcohol is used as an excipient in different pharmaceutical preparations but trazodone does not contain alcohol.
Trazodone tablets and oral solutions have different ingredients as guided by the manufacturer. Alcohol is not used in making trazodone formulations because it can interact with trazodone.
Alcohol interacts with trazodone and results in enhanced sedation, drowsiness, and cognitive and motor impairment. Therefore, alcohol is not used in making trazodone formulations and individuals taking trazodone should avoid drinking alcohol.
Was this helpful?
References
1.-
Shin JJ, Saadabadi A. Trazodone. [Updated 2022 Jul 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470560/
2.-
DESYREL® (trazodone hydrochloride). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Reference ID: 4119349 [Internet] [updated 2017 Jun; cited 2023 Dec 23]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/018207s032lbl.pdf.
3.-
“Trazodone hydrochloride 50mg/5ml oral solution”. Mercury Pharmaceuticals. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.2579.pdf
4.-
Weathermon R, Crabb DW. Alcohol and medication interactions. Alcohol Res Health. 1999;23(1):40-54. PMID: 10890797; PMCID: PMC6761694.
Find a supportive therapist who can help with Depression.
Discover the convenience of BetterHelp, an online therapy platform connecting you with licensed and accredited therapists specialized in addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, relationships, and more. Complete the assessment and find your ideal therapist within just 48 hours.
AskYourPharm is user-supported. We may earn a commission if you sign up for BetterHelp’s services after clicking through from this site
