| Usage |
Usage
Trazodone is available in tablet and extended-release tablet forms for oral consumption. Tablets are typically taken with a meal or light snack multiple times a day, while the extended-release tablet is usually taken once daily at bedtime, on an empty stomach. It's essential to maintain a consistent dosing schedule, taking trazodone at approximately the same time daily. Follow your prescription label instructions meticulously, and seek clarification from your doctor or pharmacist if needed. Take trazodone precisely as prescribed—avoid exceeding or reducing the dosage or altering the duration of use without your doctor's approval.
For extended-release tablets, swallow them whole or split them on the score mark; do not chew or crush them. Your doctor may initiate treatment with a low trazodone dose, gradually increasing it every 3 to 4 days if necessary. Once your condition is under control, your doctor may reduce your dose. Trazodone effectively manages depression but doesn't provide a cure. It may take up to two weeks or longer to experience its full benefits. Even if you start feeling better, continue taking trazodone as prescribed and do not discontinue it abruptly, as this may lead to withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, agitation, or sleep difficulties. Your doctor will likely taper your dose gradually when it's time to stop the medication.
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| Side Effects |
Side Effects
Trazodone may lead to various side effects, so it's essential to inform your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Unpleasant taste in the mouth
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Weakness or fatigue
• Nervousness
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Unsteadiness while walking
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
• Confusion
• Nightmares
• Muscle pain
• Dry mouth
• Skin rash
• Sweating
• Altered sexual desire or performance
• Involuntary shaking in a specific body part
• Numbness, burning, or tingling in the limbs.
• Reduced coordination
• Fatigued, reddened, or itchy eyes
• Ringing in the ears
Certain side effects may be severe, and if you encounter any of the following symptoms or those mentioned in the WARNING or PRECAUTIONS sections, contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention:
• Chest pain
• Rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
• Loss of consciousness (coma)
• Fainting
• Seizures
• Shortness of breath
• Unusual bruising or bleeding
It's worth noting that trazodone can induce painful and prolonged erections in males. In some instances, emergency or surgical intervention has been necessary, resulting in permanent damage. Discuss this risk with your doctor when considering trazodone treatment. If you experience any unusual issues while taking this medication, consult your doctor.
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| Storage |
Storage
To ensure the safe storage and disposal of this medication:
• Keep it in its original container, tightly closed, and away from children.
• Store it at room temperature, avoiding exposure to light, excessive heat, and moisture (not in the bathroom).
• Safely dispose of any unused medication to prevent accidental ingestion by pets, children, or others.
• Do not flush the medication down the toilet; instead, use a medicine take-back program.
• If a take-back program is unavailable, consult your pharmacist or local garbage/recycling department for disposal guidance.
• Store all medications out of children's reach, as some containers are not child-resistant.
• Utilize safety caps and store the medication in a secure, elevated location to prevent accidental ingestion or poisoning.
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| Precaution |
Precaution
Before using trazodone, consider these important precautions:
• Inform your healthcare provider about any allergies you have, including to trazodone or other medications.
• Disclose all prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, and supplements you're taking, particularly medications like blood thinners, antidepressants, antifungals, HIV drugs, and many others. Notify your doctor if you've taken MAO inhibitors within the past two weeks.
• Report severe diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, or a recent heart attack to your doctor.
• Mention any history of high blood pressure, sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, leukemia, cavernosal fibrosis, Peyronie's disease, or heart, liver, or kidney disease.
• Be aware that trazodone may cause QT prolongation, which can lead to irregular heart rhythms. Inform your doctor of any family history of long QT syndrome, low blood potassium or magnesium levels, or irregular heartbeats.
• Notify your doctor if you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding while using trazodone.
• Advise healthcare professionals about your trazodone use before undergoing surgery, including dental procedures.
• Understand that trazodone may induce drowsiness and affect your judgment, so avoid operating machinery or driving until you're familiar with its effects.
• Discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor, as it can exacerbate trazodone's side effects.
• Be cautious when rising from a lying position, as trazodone may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting upon sudden changes in posture.
• Be aware of the risk of angle-closure glaucoma, a condition that can cause a rapid increase in eye pressure. Consider an eye examination before starting trazodone and seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms such as nausea, eye pain, vision changes, or eye swelling or redness.
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| Warning |
Precaution
Before using trazodone, consider these important precautions:
• Inform your healthcare provider about any allergies you have, including to trazodone or other medications.
• Disclose all prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, and supplements you're taking, particularly medications like blood thinners, antidepressants, antifungals, HIV drugs, and many others. Notify your doctor if you've taken MAO inhibitors within the past two weeks.
• Report severe diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, or a recent heart attack to your doctor.
• Mention any history of high blood pressure, sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, leukemia, cavernosal fibrosis, Peyronie's disease, or heart, liver, or kidney disease.
• Be aware that trazodone may cause QT prolongation, which can lead to irregular heart rhythms. Inform your doctor of any family history of long QT syndrome, low blood potassium or magnesium levels, or irregular heartbeats.
• Notify your doctor if you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding while using trazodone.
• Advise healthcare professionals about your trazodone use before undergoing surgery, including dental procedures.
• Understand that trazodone may induce drowsiness and affect your judgment, so avoid operating machinery or driving until you're familiar with its effects.
• Discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor, as it can exacerbate trazodone's side effects.
• Be cautious when rising from a lying position, as trazodone may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting upon sudden changes in posture.
• Be aware of the risk of angle-closure glaucoma, a condition that can cause a rapid increase in eye pressure. Consider an eye examination before starting trazodone and seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms such as nausea, eye pain, vision changes, or eye swelling or redness.
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