Tanimukai, H., Murai, T., Okazaki, N., Matsuda, Y., Okamoto, Y., Kabeshita, Y., . . . Tsuneto, S. (2013). An observational study of insomnia and nightmare treated with trazodone in patients with advanced cancer. The American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care, 30, 359–362.
To evaluate trazodone for the treatment of insomnia in patients with cancer.
Patients were given trazodone 12.5 to 50 mg orally as needed for insomnia.
The study was an observational, retrospective review.
Chart review looking for requests for additional request for hypnotics within seven days of initiation of the intervention
Of the patients with cancer treated with trazodone, 50% did not request additional hypnotics within seven days. Two of four patients reported improved nightmares.
Low-dose trazodone (12.5–50 mg) may be useful in treating insomnia with and without nightmares in patients with cancer.
Low-dose trazodone may be helpful in treating insomnia and improving nightmares in patients with cancer and insomnia. Further prospective studies are warranted.