Trazodone is not classified as a controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Clinical trials, though limited, have not shown significant evidence of dependence or misuse when trazodone is used for depression and anxiety. However, additional research is needed to better understand its effects, particularly when used off-label for conditions like insomnia.
All medications, narcotics, and illegal substances are regulated through the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which determines the drug's potential for abuse and its medical properties. Read on to find out what the implications of its regulation status are.
- Trazodone is not considered a controlled substance and does not fall under any schedule classification.
- Although research on the abuse potential of trazodone is limited, there is currently no evidence suggesting it poses a risk for abuse or addiction.
- The prescribed dose of trazodone is often lower when used to treat insomnia instead of depression, but there is little research into how people who take the drug for sleeping problems react to it and whether they may become dependent.
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Trazodone controlled substance status
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) does not recognize trazodone as a controlled substance as studies have shown that there is little evidence of the drug being abused, nor being dependent or addiction-forming. While studies into the abuse potential of trazodone are limited there doesn’t seem to be any potential for abuse.[1]
Is trazodone a narcotic?
Trazodone is not commonly considered a narcotic and is not listed as such by the DEA. Narcotics are typically considered to be prescription or illicit drugs that are regularly abused and or are addictive.
What is a controlled substance?
Medications, illegal drugs, and narcotics are classified by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a way of regulating a substance's potential for harm and abuse versus its medical validity under the Controlled Substances Act. A controlled classification means the substance is regulated by the government due to its potential risks.
There are five different classifications, known as Schedules.
- Schedule I drugs have no medical value and a high potential for abuse and dependence. These drugs include illegal substances such as heroin, meth, and crack.
- Schedules II through V represent a gradual decline in a substance's potential for abuse and an increase in its medical value, though the two aren’t directly correlated. Schedule V drugs have the lowest potential for abuse and if it is unclassified then it is deemed to hold no addictive properties.
Research into trazodone abuse potential
Like most forms of antidepressants, clinical trials of trazodone for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders have not shown any drug-seeking or other addictive behaviors. However, while studies into trazodone's side effects (such as weight gain) are well documented, data on its abuse potential is lacking.
For example, trazodone is occasionally used outside of treatment for mental health disorders, such as when it is prescribed off-label for conditions such as insomnia. Though the prescribed dose of trazodone is often lower when used to treat insomnia than depression, there is little research into how people who take the drug react to it and whether they may become dependent.[1]
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