Trazodone – what it is, what it is for and side effects!

Trazodone is a  drug indicated for the treatment of mental depression with or without episodes of anxiety , in neurogenic pain (diabetic neuropathy). And other types of chronic pain and in the treatment of major depression  .

What is Trazodone?

Trazodone is an antidepressant  medication. It affects chemicals in the brain that may be out of balance in people with depression .

What is Trazodone used for?

Trazodone  acts on the brain serotonin system, increasing the concentration of Serotonin, which is the neurotransmitter substance responsible for regulating mood, thus helping to reduce symptoms related to depression .

After ingestion of a 150 mg oral dose of Trazodone , the maximum concentration of the drug in the body is reached within a maximum time of 4 hours after ingestion.

How Should I Take Trazodone?

Take  Trazodone  by mouth, usually once or twice daily after a meal or snack, or as directed by your doctor.

If drowsiness is a problem and you are taking 1 serving a day, take it at bedtime. If you are taking 2 servings a day, it may be helpful to take 1 serving at bedtime.

How to Take the Adult Dose of Trazodone?

Immediate Release Pills:

• Initial: 150 mg daily in divided doses.
• maintenance: May be increased by 50 mg per day every 3 to 4 days. The maximum dose for outpatients should generally not exceed 400 mg per day in divided doses. Inpatients may receive, but not more than 600 mg per day, in divided doses.
• Trazodone should be taken right after a meal or light snack.

Extended Release Pills:

• Recommended starting dose: 150 mg once daily.
• maintenance: The dose may be increased by 75 mg/day every three days (eg, start administration of 225 mg on day 4 of therapy).
•  daily maximum: 375 mg

How to Take Pediatric Dose  of Trazodone for Depression?

Trazodone should  be taken right after a meal or light snack. Immediate release tablets:

6 to 12 Years:

• Trazodone starting dose: 1.5 to 2 mg/kg/day in divided doses.
• maintenance: can increase up to 6 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses.

Over 12 Years to 18 Years:

• Trazodone starting dose : 25 to 50 mg daily.
• Maintenance: May increase up to 100 to 150 mg per day in divided doses.

What Happens if I Miss a Dose of Trazodone?

Take the missed dose of Trazodone  as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

Important Information About Trazodone:

You should not use Trazodone  if you are allergic to it, or if you are being treated with methylene blue injection.

Some young people have thoughts of suicide when taking an antidepressant. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using Trazodone . Your family or other caregivers should also be aware of changes in your mood or symptoms.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety , panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically) , more depressed, or having thoughts about suicide or harming yourself.

Do not give this medication to anyone under the age of 18 without a doctor’s advice, as   Trazodone  is not approved for use in children .

What Happens When You Overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention. An overdose of Trazodone  can be fatal when taken with alcohol, barbiturates such as phenobarbital, or sedatives such as diazepam (Valium).

Symptoms of  Trazodone overdose can include extreme drowsiness, vomiting, erection of the penis that is painful or prolonged, rapid or rapid heartbeat, seizures (fainting or convulsions), or breathing that slows or stops.

What Should I Avoid While Taking Trazodone?

Do not drink alcohol. Trazodone  can increase the effects of alcohol, which can be dangerous. Avoid getting up too quickly from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Get up slowly and hold on tight to avoid falling. Trazodone  may impair  your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for pain , arthritis, fever ,  or swelling. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others. Using an NSAID with this medication can cause injury or bleeding.

What are the Precautions Before Taking Trazodone?

You should not use Trazodone  if you are allergic to it, or if you are being treated with methylene blue injection. To make sure Trazodone  is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• Liver or kidney disease;
• Heart disease;
• A bleeding or blood clotting disorder ;
• Seizures or epilepsy;
• Narrow-angle glaucoma;
• Bipolar disorder ( depressive mania);
• History of long QT syndrome;
• A history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts;
• If you have recently had a heart attack .

Do not give this medicine to anyone under the age of 18 without a doctor’s advice. Trazodone is  not approved for use in children.

Is It Safe to Take Trazodone During Pregnancy?

Taking a Trazodone antidepressant while pregnant can cause serious lung problems or other complications in the baby. However, you can have a relapse of depression  if you stop taking your antidepressant.

Tell your doctor immediately, if you become pregnant while taking  Trazodone . Do not start or stop taking this medication during pregnancy without your doctor’s advice.

It is not known if Trazodone  passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby.

What Medications Should Not Be Taken with Trazodone?

Also, taking  Trazodone  with other medicines that make you sleepy can make this effect worse. Ask your doctor before taking Trazodone with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medication, muscle relaxant, or medication for anxiety , depression ,  or seizures.

Many medications can interact with Trazodone . Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your medications and any you start or stop using during treatment, especially:

• Any other antidepressant;
• anagrelida;
• Droperidol;
• Methadone;
• ondansetron;
• Um antibiic – azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, pentamidine;
• Cancer medicine – arsenic trioxide, vandetanib;
• Anti-malaria medication – chloroquine, halofantrine;
• Heart rhythm medicine – amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, dronedarone, flecainide, ibutilide, quinidine, sotalol;
• Medicine to treat a psychiatric disorder – chlorpromazine, haloperidol, pimozide, thioridazine.

This list is not exhaustive and many other drugs may interact with Trazodone . This includes prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and herbal products. Give a list of all your medications to any healthcare provider who treats you.

What are the side effects of Trazodone?

Stop taking Trazodone  and call your doctor right away if you experience a penile erection that is painful or lasts for 6 hours or longer.

This is a medical emergency and can lead to a serious condition that must be corrected with surgery. Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to Trazodone : hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety , panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically) , more depressed, or having thoughts about suicide or harming yourself.

Call your doctor right away if you have:

• Blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain  or swelling, or seeing halos around lights
• Also, headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fainting, fast or racing heartbeat;
• Chest pain or pressure, tightness in the neck or jaw, sweating, widespread pain  in the arm or shoulder;
• Also, high levels of serotonin in the body – restlessness, hallucinations, fever , fast heart rate, hyperactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting;
• Low levels of sodium in the body  – headache , confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady
• Also, severe nervous system reaction – very stiff (stiff) muscles, high fever  , sweating, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.

What are the Common Trazodone Side Effects?

• Drowsiness, dizziness;
• Vision changes;
• Constipation ;
• Dry mouth, altered sense of taste.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Other information:

Remember, keep Trazodone out of the reach of children, never share yours with others and always use Trazodone only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your physician to ensure that the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.