Trazodone (Desyrel) is commonly prescribed at lower doses for what purpose?

Trazodone, commonly known as Desyrel, is often prescribed at lower doses primarily for the management of insomnia. The medication has a sedative effect, which can help patients who struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep. While trazodone was initially developed as an antidepressant, the sedative properties have led to its off-label use for treating sleep disorders, making it a favored choice for individuals who experience insomnia, especially when they may want to avoid the addictive potential of other sleep medications.

At lower doses, the side effects tend to be minimized while still providing the desired sleep-inducing effects. This usage takes advantage of trazodone’s ability to enhance sleep without needing to prescribe higher doses required for managing depression or anxiety more effectively. In contrast, its applications for anxiety, pain management, or strictly for depression would typically involve different dosing considerations or alternative medications altogether.