Can Trazodone And Antabuse Cause Fatigue And Sleepiness?

Brief Answer:
Likely to be a combination

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Both Trazodone and Antabuse can cause fatigue and sleepiness. While they don't interact specifically, having two medications that can cause this symptom may be the problem. In particular, trazodone is a very sedating antidepressant and is sometimes given specifically for treating insomnia. My guess is that your symptoms are coming from that one, and either you need less of it, or a different class of antidepressant altogether, such as an SSRI. An SSRI with one of the lowest side effect profiles and earliest onset of action (about 2-3 weeks) is escitalopram (brand name Lexapro).

If your muscles actually feel weak, that can be a side effect of the Antabuse, so do tell your doctor about that.

Whether alcohol or the detoxification process are contributing to your symptoms, that depends on how long ago that occurred. If you were given long acting benzodiazepines such as clonazepam, that might still be in your system.

Antabuse can remain in the body for a couple of weeks after discontinuation, so it's possible you are still feeling some of the side effects of that. Trazodone is faster, with an elimination half life of around half a day (meaning half of it is out of your body in one day, 1/4 of it remains after 2 days, etc).

Regarding alcohol withdrawal symptoms, these usually peak by 72 hrs of abstinence, and are more agitative types of symptoms. There can be some fatigue from withdrawal but if you are beyond 3 days, it should be getting significantly better.

I hope this information helps and that you are feeling better soon. Please let me know if I can provide further information.

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Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this.

Detailed Answer:
I'm sorry XXXXXXX - I missed that about the Lexapro.

The combination of your recent detox, and the Antabuse and Trazodone may knock you out for awhile. Especially given how long the Antabuse stays in your system.

You should start feeling more energetic though, a the Trazodone leaves your body and you move further away from alcohol withdrawal.

But it is important for you to work out something with your doctor about the Antabuse as you probably were prescribed it either to help you with sobriety or for legal reasons such as to prove you take it so that you are allowed to drive. I don't know the reason you were prescribed it specifically, but if there is a reason you and your doctor want you to take it, perhaps wait for the Trazodone to leave your system, and then see if you are able to take it without too much trouble.

I also don't know if you were given the Trazodone as part of a detox protocol. It is not as likely to interact with Antabuse as benzodiazepines are. If you were given it for sleep or to calm your nervous system during detox, then you may need to still have some in your system, but at a lower dose.

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Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this.

Detailed Answer:
Trazodone and Lexapro both work on the serotonin system so there is the potential for serotonin syndrome when combined, but it is rare. It would be more likely to happen at high doses of serotonergic medications. Serotonin syndrome makes people very very sick with fever and shakes and muscle spasms, and autonomic dysfunctions such as rapid extreme changes in blood pressure. It doesn't sound like your symptoms are related to serotonin syndrome. I've seen patients who take 2 SSRIs, but in lower doses, so while there is that possible risk from doing something like that, it is rare.

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Brief Answer:
Your welcome and have a good night.

Detailed Answer:
I hope you have a good night tonight and are feeling at least a bit better tomorrow.

Best regards,
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD

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