Trazodone doses range from 25 mg to 600 mg per day, depending on whether it’s being used for depression or sleep. The wide range exists because trazodone works differently at low and high doses, and the two most common reasons people take it call for very different amounts.
Doses for Depression
When prescribed for major depressive disorder, trazodone starts at 150 mg per day, split into multiple doses throughout the day. The dose can be increased by 50 mg every three to four days based on how well it’s working and how well it’s tolerated.
For outpatients, the maximum recommended daily dose is 400 mg, taken in divided doses. For hospitalized patients with more severe depression, the ceiling is higher: up to 600 mg per day in divided doses. Most people taking trazodone for depression end up somewhere in the 150 to 400 mg range.
Doses for Sleep
Trazodone is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for insomnia, even though this use is technically off-label. The doses used for sleep are much lower than those used for depression. At lower amounts, trazodone’s sedating effects are more prominent, which is why it works well as a sleep aid without requiring the higher antidepressant doses.
The typical starting dose for sleep is 25 to 50 mg, taken at bedtime. If that’s not enough, the dose can be increased in 50 mg steps. Most people find that 50 to 100 mg at bedtime is effective. The upper limit for sleep use is generally 200 mg at bedtime.
Extended-Release Tablets
An extended-release version of trazodone is also available, designed to be taken once daily rather than in divided doses. It comes in 150 mg and 300 mg tablets that can be split in half. The starting dose is 150 mg once daily, taken in the late evening on an empty stomach. Increases happen in 75 mg steps every three days, and the maximum is 375 mg per day. This formulation is used for depression, not for sleep at low doses.
How Quickly It Works
Trazodone reaches its peak blood levels roughly one hour after taking it on an empty stomach, or about two hours if taken with food. This fast onset is part of why it’s popular for sleep: you can take it shortly before bed and feel its sedating effects relatively quickly. The drug stays active for a moderate amount of time, with a half-life of roughly six hours, meaning half of it has been cleared from your system by then. For most people, this is long enough to help with sleep without causing heavy grogginess the next morning, though some people do notice residual drowsiness.
Why Doses Are Split for Depression
If you’re taking trazodone for depression at higher doses, you’ll typically split the total daily amount into two or three doses rather than taking it all at once. This reduces the sedation that comes with taking a large single dose and keeps blood levels more stable throughout the day. The largest portion of the daily dose is usually taken at bedtime, with smaller amounts during the day.
Dose Adjustments With Other Medications
Certain medications that slow down how your liver processes trazodone can cause it to build up in your system, raising the risk of side effects including heart rhythm problems. If you’re taking one of these medications (common examples include certain antifungal drugs and some antibiotics), a lower dose of trazodone is typically needed. This is one reason it’s important for your prescriber to know everything else you’re taking before starting or adjusting trazodone.