Can You Mix Trazodone and Alcohol? Plus, 3 More FAQs About This Risky Combination

Trazodone is a prescription-only medication that’s FDA approved to treat depression. However, it’s more commonly used off-label to treat insomnia (trouble sleeping).

Combining trazodone and alcohol isn’t a good idea. But why? Below, we’ll answer four frequently asked questions about trazodone and alcohol.

1. Can you mix trazodone and alcohol?

It’s not a good idea to mix trazodone and alcohol. There’s a known interaction between these two substances.

Dizziness and drowsiness are two of the most common trazodone side effects. And alcohol can have similar effects. Taking them together can increase your risk of:

• Falls and injuries: Research indicates that trazodone increases the risk of falls and injuries from falls (like fractures) in older adults. This has been seen even with low dosages used to treat insomnia. Drinking alcohol while taking trazodone can increase these risks.

• Overdose: Slowed breathing and overdoses have happened in people taking trazodone in combination with alcohol.

• Depression: Alcohol may make depression worse. So if you’re taking trazodone or another antidepressant for depression, it may not be as effective if you drink alcohol.

• Liver problems: In rare cases, trazodone can cause liver problems. Chronic alcohol use can also have long-term impacts on your liver, leading to conditions such as fatty liver and cirrhosis. Combining trazodone and alcohol long term may cause more harm to your liver than taking either of these substances alone.

2. Is having one to two drinks OK?

We don’t know what amount of alcohol, if any, is considered safe to drink while taking trazodone. For this reason, you should assume that no amount of alcohol is safe.

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Without trazodone in your system, having one or two alcoholic drinks may not have a negative impact on you. But, if you’re taking trazodone, it’s difficult to predict what effect alcohol will have. This is why it’s safest to avoid the combination altogether.

3. Can you drink alcohol after you’ve stopped taking trazodone?

You may be able to drink alcohol after you’ve stopped taking trazodone. But waiting at least 2 days after your last dose is safest. This is because trazodone sticks around in your body for at least a day after you take it. Drinking alcohol before trazodone is fully cleared from your system can cause increased drowsiness and dizziness.

Good to know: If you’ve been taking trazodone regularly, stopping treatment abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms. This includes flu-like symptoms, headache, and nausea. You may also experience dizziness, trouble sleeping, or anxiety. In rare cases, more serious symptoms like extreme mood changes or confusion can occur. So don’t stop taking trazodone without talking to your prescriber first.

4. Are there other antidepressants or sleep aids that are a better option if you drink alcohol?

Beyond trazodone, there are other antidepressants and sleep aids that can interact with alcohol. Like trazodone, these medications may cause excessive drowsiness and/or dizziness when combined with alcohol. This includes the following antidepressant medications:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline (Zoloft)

• Serotonin and norepinephrine inhibitors (SNRIs) like venlafaxine (Effexor XR)

• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like amitriptyline

• Buspirone

• Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)

Alcohol can also interact with these sleep medications:

• Benzodiazepines like temazepam (Restoril)

• Z-drugs like zolpidem (Ambien)

• Melatonin

• Ramelteon (Rozerem)

• Doxepin (Silenor)

• Diphenhydramine (ZzzQuil, Benadryl)

Like with trazodone, we don’t know what amount of alcohol, if any, is safe to drink with these types of medications. That’s why it’s best to avoid drinking altogether when taking them. If you want to have an occasional drink while taking an antidepressant or sleep aid, talk to your prescriber, so they can help you weigh the risks. Your prescriber may suggest certain medications over others if they know you’re likely to drink alcohol while taking them.

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Written by:

Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS

Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. Amy currently holds her pharmacist license in Georgia and California.

Reviewed by:

Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA

Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA, is a licensed pharmacist specializing in chronic disease and health and wellness. Upon completing his residency, he worked in the managed care field, conducting medication therapy management and adherence counseling sessions with Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance patients, before transitioning to a career in medical writing.

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