Trazodone may cause weight gain for some people, but it is not a common side effect of the medication. Weight loss was shown to be slightly more common with trazodone.
Research on the drug suggests that the relationship between trazodone and weight change is mixed. While both weight gain and weight loss side effects are relatively rare compared to its other side effects, trazodone may be more likely to cause weight loss than weight gain. In a clinical trial, 5% of people who took trazodone gained weight, while 6% lost weight.
You may notice an increase or decrease in your appetite during treatment with trazodone, a side effect that may be managed with the help of your doctor.
Trazodone is one of many medications used to treat depression. Other antidepressants are more highly associated with weight gain than trazodone. While the reasons why antidepressants may affect weight are poorly understood, there are many connections between the regulation of mood, appetite and weight. One potential explanation is that people may experience an increase in appetite as their depression eases, resulting in weight gain.
For the most part, trazodone is thought to come with a lower risk of weight gain than some other types of antidepressants.
Other than weight changes, trazodone can also cause side effects such as:
- Swelling (edema)
- Blurry vision
- Fainting
- Fatigue and sleepiness
- Diarrhea
- Stuffy nose (sinus congestion)