A popular alternative to a traditional sleeping pill
Doctors are increasingly prescribing trazodone instead of zolpidem (Ambien). But is that safe?
- Reviewed by Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
For many people, taking the prescription sleeping pill zolpidem (Ambien) isn't a rare occurrence; it's a nightly routine, and the only way they feel they can fall asleep. But the reliance on zolpidem has serious risks. Now, a trend in prescribing has shifted toward an "off-label" (unapproved) use of another pill known for its ability to make people drowsy: a low dose of the antidepressant drug trazodone.
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About the Author
Heidi Godman, Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter
About the Reviewer
Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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