Trazodone Medical Information

• Trazodone uses
• Trazodone dosage
• Trazodone side effects
• Warnings & precautions
• Drug interactions
• Overdose

Common Brand Names: Desyrel, Trazon, Trialodine

Generic Name: Trazodone

The following product information is not intended to replace the physician's or manufacturer's instructions.

Common Medical Uses:
Trazodone is used to treat depression and to treat the combination of symptoms of anxiety and depression. It inhibits serotonin uptake in brain cells.
Some "off-label" Trazodone uses include:

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Some types of chronic pain
  

Trazodone dosage:
The dosage should be initiated at a low level and increased gradually, noting the clinical response and any evidence of intolerance. Occurrence of drowsiness may require the administration of a major portion of the daily dose at bedtime or a reduction of dosage. Trazodone hydrochloride should be taken shortly after a meal or light snack. Symptomatic relief may be seen during the first week, with optimal antidepressant effects typically evident within 2 weeks.

Adult dosage: An initial dose of 150 mg/day in divided doses is suggested. The dose may be increased by 50 mg/day every 3 to 4 days. The maximum dose usually should not exceed 400 mg/day in divided doses. More severely depressed patients may be given up to but not in excess of 600 mg/day in divided doses.

Maintenance dosage during prolonged maintenance therapy should be kept at the lowest effective level. Once an adequate response has been achieved, dosage may be gradually reduced, with subsequent adjustment depending on therapeutic response. Although there has been no systematic evaluation of the efficacy of Trazodone beyond 6 weeks, it is generally recommended that a course of antidepressant drug treatment should be continued for several months.

To help with sleep it should be given about 1 hour before bedtime. Its effects usually last about 8 hours, so if it is being used to help with daytime agitation, it may need to be given two or three times a day.

Trazodone side effects:

Most common side effects:

• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Dizziness, lightheadedness
• Headache
• Blurred vision
• Nausea, vomiting
• Tachycardia, palpitations
• Constipation
• Insomnia
• Nervousness
• Sinus congestion
• Confusion
• Fatigue
• Tremors
• Weight loss
• Muscle aches
• Nightmares
  

Less common side effects:

• Syncope
• Diarrhea
• Weight gain
• Hypotension
• Incoordination
• Hypertension
• Decreased concentration
• Decreased libido
  

Serious Trazodone side effects:

Hypotension
Hypotension, including orthostatic hypotension and syncope, has been reported to occur in patients receiving Trazodone hydrochloride. Concomitant administration of antihypertensive therapy with Trazodone may require a reduction in the dose of the antihypertensive drug.

Priapism
Trazodone has been associated with theoccurrence of priapism. In many of the cases reported, surgical intervention was required and, in some of cases, permanent impairment of erectile function or impotence resulted. Male patients with prolonged or inaproppriate erections should immediately discontinue Trazodone use and consult doctor.

Cardiac side effects
Antidepressant drugs (including Trazodone) have been associated with the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias. Recent clinical studies in patients with pre-existing cardiac disease indicate that Trazodone may be arrhythmogenic in some patients. Arrhythmias identified include isolated PVCs, ventricular couplets, and in two patients short episodes (3 to 4 beats) of ventricular tachycardia.

Trazodone Warnings & Precautions:

• Don't take if: you are allergic to Trazodone
• Before taking Trazodone, tell your doctor or/and pharmacist:
• if you have heart rhythm problem
• if you have any heart disease
• if you have bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder
• if you will have surgery within 2 months, requiring general or spinal anesthesia
• Driving, piloting or hazardous work: Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how this medication affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places.
  Danger increases if you drinc alcohol or take other medication affecting alertness and reflexes such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medications, barbiturates, other medicines for seizures
• Pregnancy: Risk category C. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Trazodone should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
• Breast feeding: Trazodone or its metabolites have been found in the milk of lactating rats, suggesting that the drug may be secreted in human milk. Caution should be exercised when Trazodone hydrochloride is administered to a nursing woman
.

Drug Interactions:
The following drugs may interact with Trazodone:

• antidepressants
• antihistamines
• antihypertensive medications
• barbiturates
• Bupropion
• central nervous system depressants
• Digoxin
• Guanabenz
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
• Phenytoin

Tell your health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products.

Possible interactions with other substances:

• Alcohol - excess sedatin
• Caffeine - may add to heartbeat irregularity

Overdose:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

The most severe reactions reported to have occurred with overdose of Trazodone alone have been priapism, respiratory arrest, seizures, and EKG changes. The reactions reported most frequently have been drowsiness and vomiting. Overdosage may cause an increase in incidence or severity of any of the reported adverse reactions above.

See also:

• Trazodone
• Buy Trazodone no prescription