Trazodone is used to treat depression. In some cases, it is also used in the treatment of insomnia, schizophrenia and anxiety. It can also be used to control abnormal movements associated with taking certain medications.
What is Trazodone?
Trazodone acts by increasing the levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps maintain the psychological balance.
How should Trazodone be taken?
Trazodone is administered orally in the form of tablets to be taken with a bit of food two or more times a day. Any extended release formulations may instead provide for a single administration a day, before going to bed on an empty stomach. The doctor may prescribe a low initial dose and gradually increase it if necessary. In the presence of side effects the dosage may instead be reduced.
Side effects associated with Trazodone
Trazodone can cause QT prolongation and angle-closure glaucoma. Among the other possible adverse effects are included:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Changes in appetite or weight changes
- Weakness or tiredness
- Nervousness
- Dizziness or feeling faint or lightheaded
- Instability while walking
- Concentration or memory problems
- Confusion
- Nightmares
- Muscle aches
- Dry mouth
- Rash
- Sweats
- Problems in the sexual sphere
- Uncontrollable tremors
- Numbness, burning or tingling in the arms, legs, hands or feet
- Problems with coordination
- Tired, itchy or red eyes
- Tinnitus
It is important to contact a doctor immediately if taking Trazodone triggers any of the following symptoms:
- Chest pains
- Fast, heavy or irregular heartbeat
- Coma
- Fainting
- Convulsions
- Shortness of breath
- Bleeding or bruising
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Trazodone
It is recommended to consult a doctor about the risks associated with the consumption of grapefruit or its juice during treatment with Trazodone. The drug can take more than two weeks to be fully effective, but the treatment should never be stopped suddenly, otherwise real withdrawal symptoms may occur.
Moreover, before taking Trazodone it is also important to inform your doctor if:
- You have any allergies to the active substance, its excipients or any other drug
- You are taking other medications, herbal remedies and supplements, especially anticoagulants, antidepressants, antifungals, aspirin and other NSAIDs, medicines for HIV or AIDS, cimetidine, cisapride, clarithromycin, cyclosporine, danazol, delvirdina, dexamethasone , digoxin, diltiazem, diuretics, disopiraminde, dofetilide, erythromycin, isoniazid, drugs against allergies, colds, coughs, anxiety, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat or pain, psychiatric drugs, anticonvulsants, linezolid, methylene blue, metronidazole, muscle relaxants, nefazodone, oral contraceptives, procainamide, quinidine, rifabutin, rifampin, sedatives, SSRI, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, sotalol, telithromycin, tioridaziona, troleandomycin, verapamil, zarfilkulast or MAO inhibitors (even if treatment was discontinued in the previous 2 weeks)
- You are recovering from a recent heart attack
- You think you suffer from dehydration
- You suffer (or have suffered) from severe diarrhea or vomiting, high blood pressure, sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, leukemia, cavernous fibrosis, Peyronie's disease, low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood, arrhythmias, QT syndrome long (also reporting any family cases) or heart, kidney or liver disease
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
It is also important to inform surgeons and dentists about ongoing treatment with Trazodone prior to any procedure. It is also important to remember that Trazodone can cause drowsiness and may impair the ability to drive and operate dangerous machinery, and it can also cause dizziness and fainting when standing up quickly from a lying position, while alcohol may increase its side effects.
