Trazodone (also known as Desyrel, Oleptro or Trazodone D) is a very popular antidepressant drug with a wide range of uses. It is prescribed as an antidepressant and sedative to treat depression, anxiety, insomnia and other conditions. It’s also used off-label to treat alcohol dependence, pain, OCD and schizophrenia. It’s also abused recreationally and is sometimes misused to achieve a high.
The answer to the question “how long does trazodone stay in your system” depends on what type of drug test is performed and how much you’ve taken. Generally, drugs remain in the bloodstream for about five half-lives and are eliminated from the body via urine, saliva or feces.
How fast or slow the drug leaves your body depends on the individual’s metabolism. Various factors like height, weight and sex impact how your body processes drugs. Having more muscle mass typically results in faster metabolization but it’s not an exact science. The body stores chemicals in fat cells, and those drugs may be retained for longer in people with more excess fat.
Urine tests are the most common drug screening methods and are quick, inexpensive and non-invasive. The vast majority of trazodone is eliminated from the body through urine in about three days, with the rest being excreted in feces. Saliva tests don’t usually include trazodone in their testing repertoire but can detect the drug when its primary metabolite, mCPP, is present. However, mCPP is often mistaken for amphetamines in saliva tests and can cause false positives.