Does Trazodone make you hungry?
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 make you hungry?
Trazodone may or may not make you more hungry than usual. Trazodone is an antidepressant, which affects your hunger differently. These meds increase the number of excitatory neurotransmitters in your brain, which may make you more or less hungry than you normally are.
This can result in both weight gain and weight loss in different people. This is why it can’t be predicted whether or not Trazodone will make you more hungry. Antidepressants like Trazodone can different side effects in different people and it may not work well for everyone.
It’s always best to report your side effects to your healthcare provider to determine the safety and efficacy of this antidepressant for long-term use.
What does research suggest?
There is limited research on the effects of Trazodone on appetite. However, antidepressants generally are believed to increase and decrease appetite.
A research review indicated that several antidepressants, including Trazodone, are associated with increased appetite and weight gain. The study also added that the effects of these antidepressants on serotonin – a monoamine excitatory neurotransmitter – could be the cause of that (1).
However, the exact mechanism through which Trazodone and other antidepressants increase appetite is not fully known and more research is required to completely understand the incidence of this side effect.
If you are taking Trazodone, it is important to properly monitor your side effects and report them to your doctor for proper management of your symptoms.
What to do if Trazodone makes you hungry?
There are a few things you can do if Trazodone makes you hungry. These include:
Talk to your doctor about dose reduction
It’s always best to report your healthcare provider if you’re concerned about any side effects or notice a change in your usual habits. If you’re new to Trazodone or your dose has recently increased, your doctor may try dose reduction to help reduce the severity of your side effects.
Getting more hungry than usual shouldn’t be a problem if you know how to deal with it wisely and it will most likely get better as your body adjusts.
However, if your eating patterns are getting worse and you’re gaining a tremendous amount of weight, you should ask your doctor for a dose reduction, if possible.
Opt for healthier food options
It’s best to opt for healthier food options if Trazodone makes you hungry. If you keep eating unhealthy snacks or foods high in sugar, you will gain a lot of weight.
The drug will keep making you ask for more. This is where you have to make a smart choice and eat foods that are fulfilling, yet low in calories. Lean protein, good fats, and lighter carbs can help you here. These foods will certainly fill you up, but won’t add a lot of fat to your body.
Incorporate fitness into your routine
Exercise should always be an important part of your routine, whether or not you experience any side effects. Exercise can help you burn all the extra calories that otherwise get stored in your body as fat.
This way, your body will start getting fitter, your immune system stronger, and your metabolism will boost up. Exercise also releases happy chemicals in your brain naturally, which can also help you with depression and elevates your mood.
Control your portion size
It’s always a smart move to control your portion size. Even if you’re eating healthier, eating too much of anything could affect your body and make you gain weight. Make sure your portion size is not too big. This way, you can also enjoy your favourite desserts.
You don’t gain weight by eating things in maintained portion size, you gain it when you start to overeat. Once you completely understand how portion control works, you can absolutely eat anything!
Drink plenty of water
Make sure you drink plenty of water. Water is a calorie-free drink that literally helps you in a number of ways.
Drinking enough water is necessary for normal physiological functioning and energy production in your body. It also draws out toxins from your body. Dehydration, on the other hand, can affect your body negatively.
Was this helpful?
References
1.-
Bernstein JG. Induction of obesity by psychotropic drugs. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1987;499:203-15. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1987.tb36212.x. PMID: 2886102. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2886102/
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
