TRAZODONE

Brand & Generic Names

Desyrel
Trazon
Trialodine

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Antidepressant (non-tricyclic)

Uses

• Treats mental depression.
• Treats anxiety.
• Treats some types of chronic pain.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
According to prescription directions. Bedtime dose usually higher than other doses.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Inhibits serotonin uptake in brain cells.

Time lapse before drug works:
2 to 4 weeks for full effect.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Fainting, irregular heartbeat, respiratory arrest, chest pain, seizures, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• If patient is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to- mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make patient vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take patient to nearest emergency facility.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

Drowsiness.

Infrequent:

• Prolonged penile erections.
• Tremor, fainting, incoordination, blood pressue rise or drop, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath.
• Disorientation, confusion, fatigue, dizziness on standing, headache, nervousness, rash, itchy skin, blurred vision, ringing in ears, dry mouth, bad taste, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, constipation, aching, menstrual changes, diminished sex drive, nightmares, vivid dreams.

Rare:

Unusual excitement.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to trazodone.
• You are thinking about suicide.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have heart rhythm problem.
• If you have any heart disease.
• If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.
• If you have liver or kidney disease.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Not recommended.

Prolonged use:
Request occasional blood counts, especially if you have fever and sore throat.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.

Others:
Electroshock therapy should be avoided.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Antidepressants*,	Excess drowsiness.
Antihistamines*	Excess drowsiness.
Antihypertensives*	Possible too-low blood pressure.
	Avoid.
Barbiturates*	Too-low blood pressure. Avoid.
Central nervous system	Increased sedation.
Clozapine	Toxic effect on the central nervous
	system.
Digitalis	Possible increased digitalis level
preparations*	in blood.
Guanfacine	Increased effect of both medicines.
MAO inhibitors*	May add to toxic effect of each.
Nabilone	Greater depression of central
	nervous system.
Narcotics*	Excess drowsiness.
Phenytoin	Possible increased phenytoin level
	in blood.
Sedatives*	Excess drowsiness.
Tranquilizers*	Excess drowsiness.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Excess sedation. Avoid.
Caffeine.	May add to heartbeat irregularity.
	Avoid.
Cocaine:	May add to heartbeat irregularity.
	Avoid.
Foods:	No problems expected.
Marijuana:	May add to heartbeat irregularity.
	Avoid.
Tobacco:	May add to heartbeat irregularity.
	Avoid.