Trazodone in the treatment of the depressed patients with insomnia

Introduction: Sleep disturbances are an integral part of depressive disorder. Antidepressant drugs with 5HT2 blocking properties, such as trazodone, alleviate insomnia and improve sleep architecture. Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of trazodone in the treatment of depressed patients with marked insomnia. Method: Total of 45 patients, with diagnosis F 32.0-F 32.2 (according to ICD-10), with marked insomnia, aged 29-64 years, were enrolled. Patients received trazodone 150mg/day 6 weeks, without concomitant medication. The visits were organized at the beginning of treatment, After 2 and 6 weeks of treatment for all patients. The Montgomery - Asberg Depression Rating Scale was used as a rating instrument. Gathered data were statistically processed. Results: There was a significant improvement for Trazodone-treated Patients in the MADRS item 4 scores at weeks 2 and 6 versus baseline (p<0,05). They also showed significant and clinically relevant improvement in MADRS total score after trazodone treatment. Conclusion. In our study significant beneficial effect in reducing sleep disturbance in depressed patients was noted in patients treated with trazodone.