Trazodone

Pronunciation: TRAZ-oh-done
Generic Name: Trazodone
Brand Name: Desyrel

Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teenagers, and young adults. However, depression and certain other mental problems may also increase the risk of suicide. Talk with the patient's doctor to be sure that the benefits of using Trazodone outweigh the risks.

Families and caregivers must closely watch patients who take Trazodone. It is important to keep in close contact with the patient's doctor. Tell the doctor right away if the patient has symptoms like worsened depression, suicidal thoughts, or changes in behavior. Discuss any questions with the patient's doctor.

Trazodone is used for:

Treating depression. It may also be used for relief of an anxiety disorder (eg, sleeplessness, tension), chronic pain. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Trazodone is an antidepressant. It is thought to work by increasing the activity of one of the brain chemicals (serotonin), which helps elevate mood.

Do NOT use Trazodone if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Trazodone or to nefazodone


• you are taking sodium oxybate (GHB) or tryptophan


• you are taking or have taken linezolid, methylene blue, or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Video: Treatment for Depression

Treatments for depression are getting better everyday and there are things you can start doing right away.

Before using Trazodone:

Some medical conditions may interact with Trazodone. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have an irregular heartbeat (eg, long QT syndrome), other heart problems, low blood pressure, or you have had a heart attack


• if you or a family member has a history of bipolar disorder (manic-depression), other mental or mood problems (eg, depression), suicidal thoughts or attempts, alcohol or substance abuse, or if you drink alcohol


• if you have liver problems, kidney problems, or blood electrolyte problems (eg, low blood sodium, potassium, or magnesium levels)


• if you have sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia, or if you have a deformed penis (eg, angulation, cavernosal fibrosis, Peyronie disease)


• if you are scheduled to have surgery or are dehydrated

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Trazodone. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), aspirin, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen) because the risk of bleeding may be increased


• Antipsychotics (eg, olanzapine, haloperidol), linezolid, MAOIs, (eg, phenelzine), methylene blue, phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (eg, duloxetine, venlafaxine), "triptans" (eg, sumatriptan), or tryptophan because severe side effects, such as a reaction that may include fever, rigid muscles, blood pressure changes, mental changes, confusion, irritability, agitation, delirium, or coma, may occur


• Diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) because the risk of low blood sodium levels may be increased


• Azole antifungals (eg, itraconazole, ketoconazole), delavirdine, or HIV protease inhibitors (eg, indinavir, ritonavir) because the risk of Trazodone's side effects may be increased


• Carbamazepine because it may decrease Trazodone's effectiveness


• Amiodarone, barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), buspirone, digoxin, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), nefazodone, sodium oxybate (GHB), or medicine for high blood pressure because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Trazodone

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Trazodone may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Trazodone:

Use Trazodone as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Trazodone comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Trazodone refilled.


• Take Trazodone shortly after a meal or light snack.


• It may take 1 to 4 weeks for Trazodone to work. Do not stop taking Trazodone without checking with your doctor.


• If you miss a dose of Trazodone, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Trazodone.

Important safety information:

• Trazodone may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Trazodone with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Check with your doctor before you drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Trazodone; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.


• Trazodone may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.


• Children, teenagers, and young adults who take Trazodone may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions. Watch all patients who take Trazodone closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.


• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Trazodone. Symptoms may include fever; stiff muscles; confusion; abnormal thinking; fast or irregular heartbeat; and sweating. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.


• Serotonin syndrome is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Trazodone. Your risk may be greater if you take Trazodone with certain other medicines (eg, "triptans," MAOIs). Symptoms may include agitation; confusion; hallucinations; coma; fever; fast or irregular heartbeat; tremor; excessive sweating; and nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Trazodone before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Trazodone may rarely cause a prolonged, painful erection (priapism). This could happen even when you are not having sex. If this is not treated right away, it could lead to permanent sexual problems such as impotence. Contact your doctor right away if this happens.


• Use Trazodone with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially low blood sodium levels.


• Trazodone should not be used in CHILDREN or TEENAGERS; safety and effectiveness in children and teenagers have not been confirmed. Children and teenagers may also be more sensitive to its effects, especially the increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Trazodone while you are pregnant. Trazodone is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Trazodone, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Trazodone:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Blurred vision; constipation; decreased sexual desire or ability; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; lightheadedness when sitting up or standing; muscle aches or pains; nausea; nervousness; stomach pain; stuffy nose; tiredness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry, or bloody stools; bloody or dark urine; chest pain; decreased coordination; fainting; fever, chills, or sore throat; hallucinations; irregular heartbeat; new or worsening agitation, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, irritability, hostility, exaggerated feeling of well-being, restlessness, trouble sleeping, or inability to sit still; prolonged, inappropriate, or painful erections; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness or tiredness; shortness of breath; speech problems; suicidal thoughts or actions; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; symptoms of low blood sodium levels (eg, confusion, persistent headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, unsteadiness, sluggishness, personality changes); tremor; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual weight changes; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; yellowing of the eyes or skin.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Trazodone side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include loss of consciousness; low blood pressure; prolonged, painful erection; seizures; slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat; slowed or shallow breathing; unusual drowsiness or dizziness; vomiting; weakness.

Proper storage of Trazodone:

Store Trazodone at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C) in a tight, light-resistant container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Protect from temperatures above 104 degrees F (40 degrees C). Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Trazodone out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Trazodone, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Trazodone is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is summary only. It does not contain all information about Trazodone. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Trazodone resources

• Trazodone Side Effects (in more detail)
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• Trazodone Drug Interactions
• Trazodone Support Group
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