Can Long-Term Use of Laton Extended-Release Tablets Lead to Dependence?

Laton extended-release tablets have a pharmacological structure completely different from benzodiazepine sleep aids, making the potential for traditional addiction and dependence considerably low. However, "having no dependence" and "being fine to take and stop at will" are entirely different matters, so patients on long-term medication need to clearly understand the distinction between side effects and how to discontinue use.

After dependence issues with Z-drugs such as Stilnox, Viksin, and Sonata, as well as benzodiazepine sleep aids, became a social issue in South Korea, prescriptions for Laton extended-release tablets (generic name: trazodone) surged as a less addictive alternative. In the United States as well, trazodone is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for insomnia treatment. While its original indications are depression and anxiety disorders, it is a prime example of a drug widely used at low doses for insomnia.

A Drug Different from Benzodiazepines: Why Laton Extended-Release Tablets Work Differently

Ingredients and Mechanism: Sedation Added to Serotonin Regulation

Trazodone is classified as a serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI). Serotonin is a brain neurotransmitter that regulates mood and sleep, and trazodone modulates its flow while additionally producing a sedative effect. At low doses of 25–100mg, antihistamine and alpha-1 blocking effects are primarily at work, helping users fall asleep. Simply put, it is a drug with an antidepressant framework whose sedative effects at low doses are utilized for the purpose of inducing sleep.

Background Behind the Prescription Surge: An Alternative to Sleep Aid Dependence

Z-drugs and benzodiazepines are classified as psychotropic medications, and their withdrawal symptoms and tolerance are well known. The longer they are taken, the higher the dose needed to achieve the same effect, and stopping brings anxiety and rebound insomnia. Due to these structural problems, both the medical community and patients sought alternatives, and Laton extended-release tablets filled that role.

The Key Question: Does Dependence Develop? — Why "Low" Is the Answer

Physical Dependence Comparison: High for Benzodiazepines, Very Low for Laton

Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs develop tolerance quickly and cause serious withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, rebound insomnia, and in some cases reported seizure risk. Trazodone, by contrast, has a pharmacological structure in which these mechanisms rarely come into play. Tolerance develops slowly or hardly at all, withdrawal symptoms are mild or absent, and the potential for abuse is clinically rare. Expert answers on platforms such as Naver Knowledge iN also conclude that the absence of tolerance and dependence makes long-term use possible.

'No Dependence' Does Not Mean 'Take as Much as You Like'

However, a low potential for dependence does not mean that taking or stopping the medication at will is safe. If stopped suddenly after long-term use, some patients may experience insomnia relapse, nausea, or dizziness. In cases where high doses have been taken for a long time, rebound insomnia can worsen sleep for several days. Anxiety about not being able to sleep without the medication—a form of psychological dependence—can also develop, but this is closer to an issue of sleep behavior than of the drug itself. If discontinuation is needed, gradual tapering over 2–4 weeks is generally recommended, and it must be done in consultation with a doctor.

Side Effects to Know: Special Caution for the Elderly

Daytime Drowsiness, Dizziness, and Fall Risk

The most common side effects—drowsiness, dizziness, and headache—occur in more than 10% of users. Dry mouth and nausea are also common. In particular, elderly patients metabolize the drug more slowly, making daytime drowsiness and dizziness more likely, which can lead to falls and fractures; starting elderly patients on a low dose is therefore recommended. Orthostatic hypotension caused by alpha-1 blocking effects is another point of caution, as it can cause dizziness when getting up in the morning.

Rare but Serious Side Effects and Drug Interaction Warnings

Rarely, priapism—a prolonged erection—has been reported. For men, this is a representative unusual side effect of trazodone that constitutes a medical emergency requiring immediate care. Arrhythmia is also possible. Combining the drug with other serotonergic medications or tramadol carries a risk of serotonin syndrome, accompanied by high fever, tremors, and confusion, so all medications being taken must be reported to a doctor. Combining it with alcohol or other sedatives is also to be avoided as a rule, as it excessively amplifies sedation.

Practical Guide: How and How Long to Take It

Properties of Extended-Release Tablets and Proper Usage

Extended-release tablets are designed to release the medication slowly. They must therefore be swallowed whole; splitting or chewing them destroys the extended-release function, altering both effectiveness and side effect patterns. Taking the tablet 30 minutes to 1 hour before bedtime is standard, and securing at least 7–8 hours of sleep after dosing is necessary to prevent next-day drowsiness. The original Desyrel (Sercadin) and the generic Laton are extended-release formulations of the same ingredient with similar effects, sharing the same formulation advantage of being favorable for sleep maintenance.

Criteria for Judging Long-Term Use and Points for Consultation

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-I) as the first-line treatment for insomnia and views medication as a supplementary tool. There are also criticisms that large-scale clinical trial evidence for trazodone's effectiveness in insomnia is lacking, with research showing it is effective in improving sleep continuity but has limited effect on reducing the time it takes to fall asleep. Although long-term use is common, no clear safety threshold has been established, making regular reassessment essential. If you have been taking the medication for more than 3 months, it is recommended that you consult your doctor about whether continued use is necessary and the possibility of transitioning to non-pharmacological treatment. If you experience any adverse reactions while taking it, consult a specialist immediately, and check the latest approval information through the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and pharmaceutical company materials.