Desyrel ®
Generic Name: Trazodone (TRAZ-oh-dohn)
Drug Class: Antidepressant, Miscellaneous
Contents
Drug Uses
This medicine is used to treat all types of depression. Other accepted uses
are reducing the symptoms of agoraphobia, help in drug-induced insomnia, can
be used in combination therapy of some pain syndromes. Your doctor may use
this medicine to treat other conditions.
General Information
This information is for educational purposes only. Not every known side effect,
adverse effect, or drug interaction is in this database. If you have questions
about your medicines, talk to your health care provider.
How it Works
This medicine helps relieve depression by increasing the amount of a chemical
called serotonin in brain centers.
How to Take It
This medicine should be taken with food and the tablet can be crushed. If
it causes excessive drowsiness or dizziness the larger portion of it should
be taken at bedtime and the rest should be divided into two or three doses
for the day usage.
Possible Side Effects
- drowsiness or lightheadedness
- weight gain
- dry mouth
- constipation
- A rare side effect causing a sustained painful erection in males (priaprism)
has occurred. If you experience this, talk to your doctor immediately.
- If you experience other bothersome side effects, contact your health
care provider.
Warnings/Precautions
- Talk to your doctor before you take this medicine if you have; a history
of heart disease, epilepsy, alcoholism, liver or kidney disease, or if
you are having general anesthesia.
- Alcohol can add to the side effects of this medicine and should be avoided.
- This medicine causes dizziness or drowsiness. Do NOT drive, and restrict
activities until you know how this medicine will affect you.
- A rare side effect causing a prolonged painful erection in males (priaprism)
has occurred. If you experience this, stop taking the drug and contact
your healthcare provider immediately.
Overdose
- Seek medical attention immediately. For non emergencies, contact your
local or regional poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
Drug Interactions
- This medicine may increase the affects antihypertensive drugs, drugs
with sedative effects, phenytoin (Dilantin) or fosphenytoin (Celebyx)
and tramadol (Ultram).
Missed Dose
Take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next
dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double
doses.
Storage
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out
of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat
and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated
or no longer needed.
Pregnancy/Nursing
If you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant talk to doctor about
the risk versus the benefits of taking this medicine. This medicine has been
found in breast milk so it is advised not to use this medicine while breast-feeding.
More Information
While taking this medicine it is advised to avoid using St. John’s Wort, ginseng,
ma huang, Indian snakeroot and yohimbe. It is also advised to talk to your doctor
or pharmacist before taking any herbals with this medicine.
Copyright © 2004 PharmClips,
Inc. All rights reserved. Information expires March 1, 2005. Published
March 1, 2004.
This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions,
precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This is general
information and should not in any event be construed as specific instructions
for individual patients. The publisher does not accept any responsibility
for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from
the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained
herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property
as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty,
expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material.
The reader is advised to check with their health care provider before
making any changes in their drug regimen. |