Desyrel

Generic name: Trazodone

What are trazodone tablets?

TRAZODONE (Desyrel®) is an antidepressant, a medicine that helps to lift mental depression. It can help patients whose depression has not responded to other medications, or who have experienced limiting side effects with other antidepressants. Trazodone may also be used to treat other conditions such as problems sleeping, anxiety, and panic attacks. Generic trazodone tablets are available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• attempted or thinking about suicide
• bipolar disorder
• heart disease, or previous heart attack
• irregular heart beat
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• mania
• an unusual or allergic reaction to trazodone, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take trazodone tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Take trazodone shortly after a meal or a light snack. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking the tablets except on your prescriber's advice.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is less than four hours to your next dose, take only that dose and skip the missed dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with trazodone?

• herbal medicines that contain kava kava, St John's wort, or valerian
• linezolid
• medicines for high blood pressure
• medicines for seizures
• other medicines for depression

Because trazodone can cause drowsiness, other medicines that also cause drowsiness may increase this effect of trazodone. Some medicines that cause drowsiness are:

• alcohol-containing medicines
• barbiturates such as phenobarbital
• certain antidepressants or tranquilizers
• certain medications used for Parkinson's disease, such as entacapone or tolcapone
• muscle relaxants
• certain antihistamines used in cold medicines

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking trazodone?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• fainting spells
• fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
• painful erections or other sexual dysfunction
• skin rash
• trembling

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• blurred vision
• constipation
• drowsiness, dizziness
• dry mouth
• headache
• muscle aches or pains
• nausea, vomiting
• unusual tiredness or weakness

What should I watch for while taking trazodone?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You may have to take trazodone for two weeks or more before you feel better. If you have been taking trazodone for some time, do not suddenly stop taking it. Your prescriber or health care professional may want you to gradually reduce the dose; ask for advice.

You may get drowsy, dizzy or have blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how trazodone affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may increase dizziness or drowsiness; avoid alcoholic drinks.

Trazodone can make your mouth dry. Chewing sugarless gum, sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water will help.

Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, or allergies without asking your prescriber or health care professional for advice. Some ingredients may increase possible side effects.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking trazodone.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature, approximately 25 degrees C (77 degrees F). Avoid temperatures above 40 degrees C (104 degrees F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.