Thinking of Buying Trazodone? Here’s What You Need to Know First
Millie Baylis is a writer and arts worker, living on Wurundjeri land. She writes essays, memoir and commentary, with recent work in Kill Your Darlings, Overland and The Victorian Writer. In 2019 she was a Wheeler Centre Hot Desk fellow and the managing editor of Visible Ink, and in 2020 she is a Moreland Writer in Residence and the Program Coordinator for the Emerging Writers’ Festival.
What drew you to working at EWF?
As an emerging writer myself, I’ve loved attending EWF for years. I think Amazing Babes was the first festival event I ever went to, and I remember being so moved by the incredible work shared by so many amazing women that night. I’ve always loved the welcoming, enthusiastic culture of the festival, as well as the stimulating discussions on the craft of writing and its place in this world.
I’ve worked various jobs in the arts (including at the Wheeler Centre), ushering and getting to listen in on heaps of amazing literary events. Last year, I had a ball working front-of-house for EWF – except for when, while on stage at the National Writers’ Conference trying to get Maria Tumarkin’s mic working, the fly on my pants broke open in front of everyone… but that’s what emerging is all about, right?
It’s extremely exciting to have the chance to contribute to a festival I care about so much now as the Program Coordinator.
Why is celebrating emerging voices in writing important to you?
There are so many answers to this question! For emerging writers, I think it can be really validating to be invited to share your work and/or ideas in public. That recognition and legitimation can give one the confidence to carry on – something that can be really hard when you’re just starting out. I also believe that writing is a craft that needs practice, and EWF offers a very tangible place for writers to do that – often in front of their first audience too.
There’s so much incredible work being made beyond the more established literary outlets that deserve to be seen and read and listened to. I think it’s so important to help platform this broad range of work, as well as helping writers form connections with each other, from across the continent (and from Aotearoa too.) There’s a shitload of talent to celebrate!
What are you working on outside of EWF?
I’m working on my own essays – largely to do with mental and physical chronic illness, drawing on memory as well as literature and research to consider the body, trauma, violence, small joys and ideas of ‘healing’.
And I’ve recently joined the team that makes Chronically Chilled, a podcast/radio show about chronic illness and disability, on 3CR.
Is there a book that you feel is the equivalent of a warm hug to you?
To be honest, I’m not often drawn to books of a feelgood nature – but perhaps I should be!
Shadowboxing, the collection of semi-autobiographical linked short stories by Tony Birch, is maybe my favourite book. Birch is so generous and skilled at portraying small, specific moments of his characters’ humanity with such tenderness – I find something profoundly reassuring and hopeful in them.
More recently, Laura McPhee-Browne’s debut novel Cherry Beach made me sob, but it also definitely held me and stroked my hair sweetly after.
If you were an under the sea creature, which would you be?
I want to say a dolphin (from a position of aspiration, rather than recognition). Unlike humans, dolphins have to breathe consciously – it’s not a reflex. There is something staggeringly beautiful about this small but essential detail; that with each breath, they choose to live.
They’re also one of the few animals that are known to have sex for pleasure (and maybe, really, that must influence the breathing thing.)
Our program launch is all about digital nostalgia – have you got a favourite nostalgic technology throwback?
Like so many millennials, I spent my pre-teen years – every day at the school library, and every night at home on the family computer via the dial-up modem – talking to other young emos on MSN, and then MySpace. On weekends, I’d take a bus and then a long train to the city to meet internet emos IRL on the Flinders Street Station steps. We’d share headphones to listen to songs on our mp3 players, then return home to change our MSN names to whatever lyrics most matched our mood. (*~* </3 And I’m nothing more than a line in your book </3 *~* – Appears Offline.) I miss the tackiness and earnestness of our curated Myspace profiles back then – one’s choice of Myspace layout and graphics and profile song and ‘who I’d like to meet’ section was an expressive art form! – compared to the sameness of profiles online these days. (Cher Tan, genius emerging writer, wrote a brilliant piece about this btw.)
What are you most excited about for EWF20?
I’m thrilled by how accessible the festival will be online – and how that will mean more people can take part in our huge program of performances, panels, workshops and projects. I’m looking forward to hearing the hard conversations people will have about writing during this intensely unsettling time, to have my thinking challenged, and to experience all kinds of storytelling.
Our program’s out in just a week, and I’m busting to spill its secrets but I won’t, lol. Be sure to check it out when it goes live on June 2 – and I hope to see you during the festival online!
Emerging Writers’ Festival 2020 runs from 16-23 June online.
Trazodone in Australia: A Doctor’s Review for People Over 30 Struggling with Sleep and Mood
Attention: If you are over 30 and you are exhausted by the endless cycle of lying awake at 2 a.m. with a racing mind, dragging yourself through the day, feeling irritable, flat, or anxious despite everything looking “fine” on the outside — you are not alone. Many Australian men and women in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond find that stress, work pressure, family responsibilities and hormonal changes start to wear down their sleep and emotional resilience. The usual advice — “just relax”, “exercise more”, “cut caffeine” — often is not enough. This review explains why trazodone, a medicine I often discuss with my patients, may be a turning point for your sleep, mood and quality of life.
What is trazodone and why should you care?
Trazodone is a prescription medicine that has been used for decades to treat depression and, at lower doses, to improve sleep. It belongs to a class called serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs). Unlike many older sedatives, trazodone does not generally cause the same level of physical dependence, and many patients report feeling more refreshed in the morning once the dose is right. In my practice, I see people over 30 who are desperate for a solution that helps them switch off at night without making them feel like a zombie the next day. Trazodone often fits that need.
Trazodone – mindfulness – can it reduce side effects
Many patients ask whether natural or behavioural strategies can be combined with trazodone. The answer is yes, and mindfulness is one of the most useful partners. Mindfulness-based stress reduction, breathing exercises and gentle body scans can help calm the nervous system before bed. In clinical experience, patients who practise mindfulness while taking trazodone often need a lower dose, experience less daytime grogginess, and feel more in control of their anxiety. Mindfulness can also reduce the “rebound” worry that sometimes appears when you first start the medicine, making the overall treatment smoother. For Australians over 30 who are already juggling work and family, adding 10 minutes of mindfulness at night is a simple, side-effect-free way to boost trazodone’s benefits.
Trazodone – omega-3 – combination for depression
If you are taking or considering trazodone for low mood, you may also be wondering about omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 supplements, particularly those rich in EPA and DHA from fish oil, are widely used in Australia for general brain and heart health. Emerging evidence and clinical experience suggest that omega-3 can be safely combined with trazodone and may support mood improvement, especially in people with mild-to-moderate depression. Omega-3 is not a replacement for prescription treatment, but it can be a sensible addition. I often suggest patients over 30 discuss a high-quality omega-3 supplement with their GP, particularly if they have a low fish intake. The combination is generally well tolerated and supports overall brain function, which matters more as we age.
Trazodone – anxiety – Therapeutic Guidelines Australia
Australian doctors rely on the Therapeutic Guidelines to guide prescribing. Trazodone is recognised in Australian practice as an option for patients with depression where insomnia or anxiety is prominent. While it is not usually first-line for generalised anxiety disorder, it can be particularly helpful for people whose anxiety is worst at night, or whose low mood is accompanied by significant sleep disturbance. For patients over 30 who lie awake worrying about work, relationships, health or the future, trazodone’s calming effect at night often produces a noticeable improvement in daytime anxiety as well, simply because sleep is restored. This makes it a practical choice in real-world Australian general practice.
Trazodone – metabolism – CYP3A4 involvement
Understanding how trazodone is broken down by the body helps you use it safely. Trazodone is metabolised mainly by an enzyme in the liver called CYP3A4. This means that other medicines or substances that affect CYP3A4 can change how much trazodone is in your blood. For example, grapefruit juice can inhibit CYP3A4 and increase trazodone levels, potentially causing more side effects. Some antibiotics, antifungals and other drugs can also interact. This is why your GP will review your full medication list before prescribing. For most people over 30 who are not taking interacting medicines, standard doses are well tolerated. But this is not a medicine to “borrow” from a friend — it needs professional supervision.
Trazodone and heart rhythm problems – QT prolongation
Like many medicines that affect serotonin, trazodone can prolong the QT interval on an electrocardiogram (ECG). QT prolongation is a change in the heart’s electrical cycle that, in rare cases, can lead to dangerous irregular heart rhythms. For most healthy adults, the risk is low. However, if you are over 30 and have a history of heart disease, fainting, an abnormal ECG, or if you take other medicines that prolong the QT interval, your doctor may recommend an ECG before starting trazodone and periodic checks during treatment. Do not ignore symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness or fainting — report them immediately. This cautious approach is standard in Australia and protects your heart while allowing you to benefit from the medicine.
Trazodone and liver function – monitoring in Australia
Trazodone is processed by the liver, and while serious liver problems are rare, they can occur. In Australia, routine liver function tests are not usually required for every patient starting trazodone, but I often check baseline liver function in patients over 30 who have fatty liver, high alcohol intake, or who take other medications metabolised by the liver. If you develop symptoms such as persistent nausea, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe abdominal pain, stop the medicine and seek medical advice promptly. Monitoring liver function is a simple blood test that can pick up problems early, and it is part of responsible prescribing in Australian general practice.
Trazodone overdose symptoms and emergency in Australia
It is important to know the signs of overdose, especially if you have young people or vulnerable adults in your household. Symptoms of trazodone overdose can include severe drowsiness, vomiting, dizziness, a fast or irregular heartbeat, seizures, difficulty breathing, and loss of consciousness. In Australia, if you suspect an overdose, call Triple Zero (000) immediately or go to your nearest emergency department. You can also call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for advice. Keep trazodone stored safely out of reach of children and never take more than your prescribed dose. Overdose is a medical emergency, and prompt treatment saves lives.
Trazodone and antidepressants – drug interactions
One of the most important safety points is that trazodone can interact with other antidepressants. Combining trazodone with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening build-up of serotonin. Symptoms include agitation, sweating, fever, muscle twitching, confusion and a rapid heart rate. In Australia, your GP will ask about all mental health medicines you take, including any prescribed by a psychiatrist or obtained overseas. Never mix antidepressants without medical advice. If you are switching from another antidepressant, your doctor will advise on the correct washout period and starting dose to keep you safe.
Summary table: Trazodone at a glance for Australians over 30
| Topic |
Key point for patients over 30 |
| Trazodone + mindfulness |
May reduce side effects, lower required dose, and improve sleep quality when combined with 10 minutes of mindfulness daily. |
| Trazodone + omega-3 |
Safe combination; omega-3 may support mood and brain health, especially in mild-to-moderate depression. |
| Anxiety |
Australian Therapeutic Guidelines recognise trazodone as useful when depression, anxiety and insomnia overlap. |
| Metabolism (CYP3A4) |
Broken down by CYP3A4; avoid grapefruit juice and review all medicines with your GP to prevent interactions. |
| QT prolongation |
May affect heart rhythm in susceptible people; ECG monitoring may be needed if you have heart disease or take other QT-prolonging drugs. |
| Liver function |
Rare but possible liver effects; baseline and periodic liver tests are sensible for at-risk patients over 30. |
| Overdose emergency |
Call 000 or Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26 if severe drowsiness, vomiting, seizures or irregular heartbeat occurs. |
| Antidepressant interactions |
Do not combine with SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclics or MAOIs without medical guidance due to serotonin syndrome risk. |
Why Australians over 30 are asking their doctor about trazodone
Desire: The real-world benefits of trazodone go beyond simply “getting to sleep”. Patients tell me they finally feel rested, less reactive, more patient with their children or partner, and better able to concentrate at work. They describe the relief of a quiet mind at bedtime — the same mind that used to race with worries about the mortgage, the boss, the kids’ schooling, or the next health check. Because trazodone can improve both sleep and mood, it addresses the root complaint of many over-30 patients: not just being tired, but being worn down by life. When used correctly, trazodone can help you feel like yourself again. It is not a “happy pill” and it does not work overnight for everyone, but for the right person, it can be genuinely life-changing.
Another advantage is that trazodone is less likely than many older sedatives or some antidepressants to cause weight gain or sexual side effects, which are major concerns for people over 30. It is also not a benzodiazepine, so concerns about dependence and withdrawal are generally lower. This makes it a more sustainable option for long-term sleep and mood support under medical supervision.
Your next step
Action: If this review resonates with you — if you are tired of poor sleep, low mood, night-time anxiety, or feeling like you are running on empty — the next step is simple. Book an appointment with your Australian GP. Tell them exactly what you are experiencing: the 3 a.m. wake-ups, the irritability, the exhaustion, the worry that will not switch off. Ask whether trazodone might be an appropriate option for you. Bring this article if it helps you start the conversation. Your doctor can assess your heart, liver function, medication list and personal history, and if trazodone is suitable, start you on a low dose with a clear monitoring plan.
Trazodone is a prescription-only medicine in Australia, so you cannot simply “buy” it over the counter. But asking your doctor for a script is a proactive step toward reclaiming your sleep and your peace of mind. Do not keep suffering in silence. The solution may be one conversation away.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information and does not replace individual medical advice. Always consult your doctor before starting, changing or stopping any medication.
2020.emergingwritersfestival.org.au2020.emergingwritersfestival.org.au2020.emergingwritersfestival.org.au
Subscribe to our email newsletter
© 2016 Emerging Writers’ Festival.
All rights reserved.