NutriStack
Alcohol and Trazodone, a caution.
Trazodone produces strong sedation through histamine H1 and 5-HT2A blockade. Alcohol is a CNS depressant. Combined use produces marked additive impairment of psychomotor function, alertness, and driving ability — documented to be most pronounced with sedating antidepressants like trazodone.
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
Same shape as the other 1,729 pairs in the public database.
From the interaction database
What the row says.
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At a glance
- Pair type
- Caution
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Strong
- Source citations
- 2 sources
- Stack Score effect
- −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Prescription
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Caution · Strong evidence
Caution
What is happening. Trazodone produces strong sedation through histamine H1 and 5-HT2A blockade. Alcohol is a CNS depressant. Combined use produces marked additive impairment of psychomotor function, alertness, and driving ability — documented to be most pronounced with sedating antidepressants like trazodone.
Mechanism. Trazodone sedates through H1 antihistamine and 5-HT2A antagonism. Alcohol potentiates GABA-A receptors and inhibits NMDA, depressing CNS function. The two mechanisms produce additive sedation and cognitive impairment.
Recommendation. Avoid alcohol while taking trazodone, especially before driving. If you do drink, keep intake low and do not drive or operate machinery. Take trazodone at bedtime, not before social drinking.
Sources (2)
- Brunnauer A, Laux G. Driving Under the Influence of Antidepressants: A Systematic Review and Update of the Evidence of Experimental and Controlled Clinical Studies. Pharmacopsychiatry. 2017;50(5):173-181. PMID 28718182
- Rotzinger S, Fang J, Baker GB. Trazodone is metabolized to m-chlorophenylpiperazine by CYP3A4 from human sources. Drug Metab Dispos. 1998;26(6):572-5. PMID 9616194
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Alcohol and Trazodone are in the same stack, this pair applies −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
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