Trazodone Hydrochloride


DNX0182.HTM

Trazodone (By mouth)
Trazodone (TRAZ-oh-done)

Treats depression, and depression with anxiety.

Brand Name(s):Desyrel Dividose, Desyrel
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to trazodone.

How to Use This Medicine:
Tablet

  • Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
  • It is best to take this medicine with food or milk.
  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one. Your doctor might ask you to sign some forms to show that you understand this information.

If a dose is missed:

  • If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
  • Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
  • Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking digoxin, phenytoin (Dilantin®) or medicines that could make you drowsy such as sleeping pills, tranquilizers, other medicine for depression, cold or allergy medicine, or narcotic pain killers.
  • Tell your doctor if you are using carbamazepine (Tegretol®), an antiviral drug (such as ritonavir, indinavir, Crixivan®, Norvir®), or a medicine to treat fungal infections (such as fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, Diflucan®, Nizoral®, Sporanox®).
  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using medicine to decrease your blood pressure. Some blood pressure medicines are atenolol, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), lisinopril, metoprolol, Accupril®, Cozaar®, Diovan®, Lotrel®, Norvasc®, Prinivil®, Toprol®, and Zestril®.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have heart disease.
  • For some children and teenagers, this medicine can increase thoughts of suicide. All of the warnings in this leaflet are true for a child or teenager who is using this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you start to feel more depressed. Also tell your doctor right away if you have thoughts about hurting yourself. Report any unusual thoughts or behaviors that trouble you, especially if they are new or get worse quickly. Make sure your caregiver knows if you have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, or start to act reckless. Also tell your doctor if you have sudden or strong feelings, such as feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared. Let your doctor know if you or anyone in your family has bipolar disorder (manic-depressive) or has tried to commit suicide.
  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
  • You may need to take trazodone for 2 to 4 weeks before you start to feel better.
  • Get up slowly from a lying or sitting position to decrease dizziness caused by this medicine.
  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
  • Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery or medical tests.
  • Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
  • Painful, prolonged erection of your penis.
  • Skin rash.
  • Unexplained fever or sore throat.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

  • Changes in vision, such as trouble focusing.
  • Constipation or diarrhea.
  • Drowsiness or dizziness.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Headache.
  • Nausea, vomiting, upset stomach.
  • Nervousness, trouble sleeping.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.