Generic Name: trazodone (TRAH-zoe-done)

Brand Names: Desyrel®, Desyrel Dividose®

Classification: Antidepressant

Issue Date: 2000

Trazodone is an antidepressant medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain. Trazodone is used to relieve symptoms of depression such as:

• feelings of sadness
• worthlessness
• guilt
• loss of interest in daily activities
• changes in appetite
• tiredness
• sleeping too much
• insomnia
• thoughts of death or suicide

While you are taking trazodone you may need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and/or suicidal thoughts at the start of therapy or when doses are changed. This concern about the increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors may be greater if you are 18 years of age or younger and are taking trazodone. In patients younger than 18 years, the period of risk may extend beyond start of therapy or when doses are changed. Your doctor may want you to monitor for the following symptoms:

• anxiety, panic attacks
• difficulty sleeping
• irritability
• hostility
• impulsivity
• severe restlessness
• mania (mental and/ or physical hyperactivity)

These symptoms may be associated with the development of worsening symptoms of depression and/or suicidal thoughts or actions. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop any new or worsening mental health symptoms during treatment with trazodone. Do not stop taking trazodone.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Trazodone may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking trazodone.

Stop taking trazodone and call your doctor immediately if you experience a prolonged (4 hours or longer), painful, or inappropriate erection. This could lead to a serious condition requiring surgery.

Do not stop taking trazodone without first talking to your doctor, even if you begin to feel better. It may be several weeks before your symptoms begin to improve, and you may require continuous treatment for quite some time.

Take trazodone exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain the instructions to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water and with a meal or a light snack. Food increases the amount of medicine that is absorbed by the body and it may help to decrease dizziness.

It is important to take trazodone regularly to get the most benefit.

Do not stop taking trazodone without first talking to your doctor, even if you begin to feel better. It may be several weeks before your symptoms begin to improve, and you may require continuous treatment for quite some time.

Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with trazodone to monitor progress and side effects.

While you are taking trazodone you may need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and/or suicidal thoughts at the start of therapy or when doses are changed. This concern about the increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors may be greater if you are 18 years of age or younger and are taking trazodone. In patients younger than 18 years, the period of risk may extend beyond start of therapy or when doses are changed. Your doctor may want you to monitor for the following symptoms:

• anxiety, panic attacks
• difficulty sleeping
• irritability
• hostility
• impulsivity
• severe restlessness
• mania (mental and/ or physical hyperactivity)

These symptoms may be associated with the development of worsening symptoms of depression and/or suicidal thoughts or actions. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop any new or worsening mental health symptoms during treatment with trazodone. Do not stop taking trazodone.

Trazodone should not be taken during the initial recovery phase after a heart attack. Talk to your doctor before taking trazodone if you have had a heart attack. You may also require special monitoring during treatment if you have any other types of heart disease, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, or chest pain (angina).

Stop taking trazodone and call your doctor immediately if you experience a prolonged (4 hours or longer), painful, or inappropriate erection. This could lead to a serious condition requiring surgery.

Trazodone is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether trazodone will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether trazodone passes into breast milk. Do not take trazodone without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Symptoms of a trazodone overdose include:

• drowsiness
• vomiting
• nausea
• seizures
• irregular heart beat
• difficulty breathing
• painful erection
• death

Side Effects

Get EMERGENCY medical help if you have any of these signs of an ALLERGIC reaction:

• hives
• difficulty breathing
• swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat

CALL YOUR DOCTOR AT ONCE if you have any of these SERIOUS side effects:

• a prolonged (4 hours or longer), painful, or inappropriate erection
• an irregular heartbeat or chest pains

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take trazodone and talk to your doctor if you experience:

• dizziness or drowsiness
• headache
• insomnia or vivid dreams
• dry mouth, upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting
• diarrhea or constipation
• tremors (shaking)
• blurred vision

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Before taking trazodone, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications:

• digoxin (Lanoxin®, Lanoxicaps®)
• phenytoin (Dilantin®)
• isocarboxazid (Marplan®)
• phenelzine (Nardil®)
• tranylcypromine (Parnate®)
• warfarin (Coumadin®)

You may not be able to take trazodone, or you may require special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with trazodone. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.