Uses of Trazodone HCL:
This medication is used to treat depression. It may help to improve your mood, appetite, and energy level as well as decrease anxiety and insomnia linked to depression. Trazodone works by helping to restore the equilibrium of a certain natural chemical (serotonin) in the mind.
How to utilize Trazodone HCL:
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using trazodone and every time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth, usually once or twice daily after a meal or snack or as instructed by your doctor.
If drowsiness is a problem and you’re taking 1 dose each day, take it at bedtime. If you’re taking two doses every day, it may help to take 1 of the doses during pregnancy.
Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.
Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.
To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may start you at a low dose and gradually increase your dose.
Take this medication exactly as prescribed. Do not increase your dose or take this medication more frequently than prescribed.
Your condition won’t improve any faster, and the probability of serious side effects may be increased.
Keep taking this medication as prescribed even in the event that you feel good. To assist you remember; take it at the same time(s) daily.
Do not stop taking this medication without consulting with your doctor.
Stress, burnout, and trouble sleeping may happen if the medication is suddenly stopped.
It may take two to four months before you notice the full effects of this medication.
Side Effects of Trazodone HCL:
See also the Warning section.
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision, changes in fat, headache, muscular ache/pain, dry mouth, bad taste in the mouth, stuffy nose, constipation, or change in sexual interest/ability may happen.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, then tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a lying or sitting position.
Do not forget that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the possibility of side effects.
A lot of people using this medication don’t have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:
shaking (tremors), nightmares, ringing in the ears, problems urinating, blood in urine, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), shortness of breath, stomach/abdominal pain.
Get medical help straight away in the event that you have any very serious side effects, such as:
chest/jaw/left arm pain, fainting, fast/irregular heartbeat, seizures, eye pain/swelling/redness, widened students, vision changes (such as seeing rainbows around lights at night).
This medication may raise serotonin and infrequently result in a very serious illness called serotonin syndrome/toxicity.
The risk increases if you are also taking other drugs that boost serotonin, so tell your doctor or pharmacist of all of the drugs you take (see Drug Interactions section).
Get medical help straight away in the event that you build a number of the following symptoms:
fast heartbeat, hallucinations, loss of coordination, severe dizziness, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, twitching muscles, unexplained fever, unusual agitation/restlessness.
For males, in the very unlikely event you have a painful or prolonged erection (priapism) lasting 4 or more hours, stop using this drug and seek immediate medical attention, or permanent problems could happen.
A very serious allergic reaction to this medication is uncommon.
However, seek prompt medical attention if you see any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:
Rash, itching/swelling (particularly of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This isn’t a complete list of possible side effects.
From the US –
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Precautions of Trazodone HCL:
Before taking trazodone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you’re allergic to ITOR to nefazodone; or if you have any allergies.
This item may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other issues. Speak with your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: family or personal history of bipolar illness, personal or family history of suicide attempts, heart disease (e.g., irregular heartbeat, heart attack), liver disease, kidney disease, blood pressure problems, personal or family history of glaucoma (angle-closure type).
This medication may make you dizzy or tired or blur your vision. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you dizzy or drowsy.
Do not drive, use machines, or do anything which needs alertness or clear vision until you are able to do it safely.
Talk to your doctor if you’re using marijuana (cannabis).
Trazodone may make a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation).
QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that require medical attention right away.
The possibility of QT prolongation may be raised if you have specific medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT prolongation.
Before using Trazodone, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all of the drugs you take and in case you have any of these conditions:
specific heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death).
Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also raise your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you use specific drugs (such as diuretics/”water pills”) or if you have ailments such as acute sweating, nausea, or vomiting.
Talk to your doctor about using trazodone safely.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all of the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially drowsiness, nausea, and QT prolongation (see above).
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed.
Since untreated mental/mood problems (such as depression) can be a serious condition, don’t stop taking this medication unless directed by your doctor.
If you are planning a pregnancy, become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, immediately talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of using this medication during pregnancy.
This medication passes into breast milk. Ask your doctor before breastfeeding.
Interactions of Trazodone HCL:
Medication interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects.
This document doesn’t include all possible drug interactions. Keep a listing of all the products that you use (such as prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist.
Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicines without your doctor’s approval.
A product that may interact with this drug is: digoxin
Taking MAO inhibitors with this medication may lead to a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction.
Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks prior to and after treatment with this medication.
Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking this medication.
Other medications can impact the removal of trazodone from your body, which may affect how trazodone functions.
The risk of serotonin syndrome/toxicity increases if you’re also taking other drugs that increase serotonin.
Examples include road drugs such as MDMA/”ecstasy,” St. John’s wort, certain antidepressants (such as SSRIs such as fluoxetine/paroxetine, SNRIs such as duloxetine/venlafaxine), among others.
The danger of serotonin syndrome/toxicity may be more likely once you begin or improve the dose of the drugs.
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness including alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, and opioid pain relievers (such as codeine).
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold goods) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness.
Consult your pharmacist about using those products safely.
Overdose:
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or difficulty breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can predict a provincial poison control center.
Signs of overdose may include Painful/prolonged erection, slow/rapid/irregular heartbeat, unusual drowsiness, unusual nausea, vomiting, trouble breathing, seizures.
Notes:
Don’t share this medication with others.
Psychiatric and/or clinical tests (and laboratory tests) should be done periodically to monitor your own progress and check for side effects. Ask your doctor for additional information.
Take your blood pressure and pulse checked regularly while taking this medication. Discuss with your doctor how to monitor your blood pressure and pulse.
Missed Dose:
Should you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Take your next dose at the regular time. Don’t double the dose to catch up.
Storage:
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or put them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer desired. Ask your pharmacist or local waste disposal company
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