General Info: Uses and Effects

The drug is used in the therapy of major depressive disorders and acts as an antidepressant drug. It is taken orally which influences the neurotransmitters in the brain used to communicate with each other. The primary neurotransmitters are serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine. It tries to improve the conditions of symptoms relating to depression by stimulating the nerves in the brain. It may also directly influence the production of serotonin. Chemically it is linked to nefazodone and exhibits its actions. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1992.

Contraindication: Important to Know

The drug is contraindicated in patients who are extremely sensitive to Desyrel (trazodone HCL). Patients who are suffering from extreme depression maybe prone to suicidal tendencies for them small dosages are recommended with medical supervision. Patients taking the drug may also get hypotension. The usage of antihypertensive therapy along with Desyrel might be required to be decreased. The drug is known to cause anxiety, panic, hypomania and other peculiar behavioral changes which is notable when the dosage is either increased or decreased for which patient monitoring is necessary. The drug may cause drowsiness and patients are suggested not to get involved in activities which require their attention. There are reports which show that there has been intermittent decrease in white blood cells as well as neutrophil counts consuming Desyrel. The patients should be given medical and family supervision regarding any behavioral changes. Some symptoms may relate to dangerous levels of suicidal thoughts. Priapism has also been reported in patients using the drug. Patients with extended periods of improper erections should not use the drug. Antidepressants significantly affect cognitive abilities of an individual. Therefore risky tasks should not be carried out during such period when the drug is consumed. The drug may also increase the responsiveness towards central nervous system drugs, alcohol as well as barbiturates. The safety and efficacy as to the usage of the drug is not conclusive on pediatric patients. Studies have shown that the drug can have detrimental effects on pregnant patients as well as lactating mothers where it has been confirmed that the drug may pass on to breast milk. The doctor’s advice is recommended to be followed for safe usage of the drug.

Instructions on taking

The medicine should be administered as per the prescription of a doctor. The dosages should not be taken in lesser or higher amounts. The drug should be taken after food whether it is a snack or a meal. An extended release tablet should be swallowed whole and should not be crushed inside the mouth by chewing. The doctor may suggest consuming half of an extended release tablet by breaking the tablet. The medication should be continued as per the prescription and if there is no improvement in the symptoms under two weeks of the treatment then the doctor should be consulted. There should not be any abrupt withdrawal from the drug which might cause unwanted side effects. The doctor should be consulted as to how such symptoms can be avoided when the patient wants to stop using the drug. If the drug causes drowsiness in the patient a bigger portion of the medicine maybe consumed at bedtime.

Dosage

The dosage for treating depression in adults the dosage is 150mg daily in divided doses, increased by 50mg daily in periods of three to four days where the maximum dose for inpatients is 600 mg and outpatients is 400mg. The regular tablets can be administered either once or divided into more doses where the bigger doses are consumed at nighttime. Patients should be examined for any mental disorders or any such disorders in the family. After beneficial response is met the dosage maybe decreased in a gradual manner taking into account the therapeutic response. Patients with renal and liver health issues are advised caution before usage. The dosage for extended release tablets is 150mg during bedtime which is then increased by an amount of 75mg on intervals of three days. The maximum dosage is 375mg and the extended release tablets should be swallowed whole and should not be crushed inside the mouth by chewing it. It is common for anti depressants to take effect after many weeks of therapy where the doses are gradually adjusted as per the responsiveness of the patient and finally increased to the maximum dosage. Patients suffering from insomnia are usually prescribed to take 25-75 mg of the drug. Old aged patients may require lesser amounts of the dosage. The tablets when taken after a meal may reduce the levels of dizziness if any.

If the patient is using MAOI drugs to treat disorders related to mental health, there should be at least a gap of fourteen days before using Desyrel. If the patient is considering treatment with MAOI after stopping the consumption of Desyrel the gap should be of fourteen days. Usage with linezolid or IV methylene blue is not recommended unless very necessary.

Side Effects

Side effects that are commonly associated with this drug are xerostomia, vomiting, nausea, head ache, drowsiness, dizziness and blurry vision while other kinds of side effects may be tachycardia, sedation, insomnia, hypotension, diarrhea, mental confusion, ataxia, edema and syncope and rarely occurring are rashes in the skin and peculiar excitement. The doctor should be consulted upon any of the side effects if caused to the patient.

Interaction with Other Drugs

Some of the kind and nature of drugs which may interact combined with Trazodone are:

• MAO inhibitors which may cause serious and fatal effects

• Some drugs like azole antifungals, macrolide antibiotics, drugs used in treating seizures can remove trazodone from the body.
• If the patient is taking other drug which produce serotonin, the chances of having serotonin syndrome maybe enhanced, which maybe illegal drugs like MDMA, ecstasy and some kinds of antidepressants including some SSRI and SNRI drugs.
• The doctor should be informed about the usage of any other recreational drug like marijuana, alcohol or antihistamines, drugs inducing sleep, narcotic pain relievers or muscle relaxants. .
• Other medicines for treating allergies or cough and cold medicines may cause drowsiness and usage of trazodone in combination should be done under medical supervision.