Trazodone

The recommended adult dose of trazodone ranges from 150 mg to 300 mg daily, taken in 2 or 3 divided doses with a meal or light snack.

The dose is usually started at 150 mg to 200 mg daily and increased gradually until the best dose is found.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important that Trazodone be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Trazodone at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause dryness of the mouth; it may cause headaches; it may cause confusion; it may cause drowsiness or dizziness - use caution when getting up from a lying or sitting position and use caution if driving; it may cause nausea or, rarely, vomiting. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

50 mg
Each orange, biconvex, scored tablet identified "Trazodone" and "pms/50" on opposite sides, contains 50 mg of trazodone HCl equivalent to 45.5 mg of trazodone base. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cornstarch, croscarmellose sodium, dibasic calcium phosphate, FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake, lactose, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose.

75 mg
Each salmon, round, biconvex tablet, identified "Trazodone" and "pms" over "75" on opposite sides, contains 75 mg of trazodone hydrochloride equivalent to 68.25 mg of trazodone base. Nonmedicinal ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, dibasic calcium phosphate, FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake, lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose and pregelatinized starch.

100 mg
Each white, biconvex, scored tablet identified "Trazodone" and "pms/100" on opposite sides, contains 100 mg of trazodone HCl equivalent to 91 mg of trazodone base. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cornstarch, croscarmellose sodium, dibasic calcium phosphate, lactose, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose.

Do not take Trazodone if you are allergic to trazodone or any ingredients of the medication.

There may be an interaction between trazodone and any of the following:

• Abiraterone acetate
• alcohol
• Alfuzosin
• antiarrhythmic medications (e.g., Amiodarone, Sotalol, quinidine, Flecainide)
• amphetamines (e.g., Dextroamphetamine, lisdexamphetamine)
• antipsychotics (e.g., Chlorpromazine, Clozapine, Haloperidol, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• Aprepitant
• "azole" antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, Voriconazole)
• Bicalutamide
• Bosentan
• Bromocriptine
• Buspirone
• Cabergoline
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Nifedipine, Verapamil)
• Carbamazepine
• chloroquine
• Cobicistat
• conivaptan
• Cyclobenzaprine
• Deferasirox
• Degarelix
• Dexamethasone
• Dextromethorphan
• diuretics (water pills; e.g., Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide)
• Disopyramide
• dofetilide
• Domperidone
• Dronedarone
• droperidol
• Enzalutamide
• ergotamine-like medications (e.g., dihydroergoatime, ergotamine, methylergonovine)
• grapefruit juice
• Hepatitis C protease inhibitors (e.g., boceprevir, simeprevir, telaprevir)
• HIV non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs; e.g., delavirdine, efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine)
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• Levomilnacipran
• lithium
• Lomitapide
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin)
• Mefloquine
• Methadone
• Metoclopramide
• mifepristone
• Mirtazapine
• Mitotane
• Metronidazole
• Modafinil
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (M.O.S. e.g., , Moclobemide, Phenelzine, Selegiline, Tranylcypromine)
• nefazodone
• opioid pain medications (e.g., Codeine, Morphine)
• pentamidine
• Phenobarbital
• Phenytoin
• Pimozide
• primidone
• procainamide
• protein kinase inhbitors (e.g., Dasatinib, imatinib, Lapatinib, Pazopanib, Sunitinib)
• quinidine
• quinine
• quinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin)
• rasagaline
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• rilpivirine
• St. John's wort
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• serotonin antagonists (anti-emetic medications; e.g., Granisetron, Ondansetron)
• serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs; e.g., Desvenlafaxine, Duloxetine, Venlafaxine)
• siltuximab
• sitaxentan
• Tacrolimus
• Tapentadol
• Tetrabenazine
• Tetracycline
• Tocilizumab
• Tramadol
• trazodone
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Amitriptyline, Desipramine, Trimipramine)
• "triptan" migraine medications (e.g., Sumatriptan, Zolmitriptan)
• Tryptophan
• Warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Trazodone. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Trazodone.

Behaviour changes and suicidal thoughts: Trazodone may worsen symptoms of depression, including thoughts of suicide or wanting to harm themselves or others. It may also cause agitated or aggressive behaviour. If you experience these symptoms or any other behaviour change while taking Trazodone, contact your doctor immediately. Family members or caregivers of people who are taking Trazodone should contact the person's doctor immediately if they notice unusual behaviour changes.

Bleeding: Trazodone may cause a reduced number of platelets in the blood, which can make it difficult to stop cuts from bleeding. If you notice any signs of bleeding, such as frequent nosebleeds, unexplained bruising, or black and tarry stools, notify your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will order routine blood tests to make sure potential problems are caught early.

Glaucoma: Trazodone may worsen symptoms of glaucoma (increased pressure in the eyes), such as blurred vision or eye pain or pressure. If you have glaucoma, discuss with your doctor how Trazodone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Trazodone, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Heart rhythm: Trazodone can cause changes to the normal rhythm of the heart, including an irregular heartbeat called QT prolongation. QT prolongation is a serious life-threatening condition that can cause fainting, seizures, and sudden death. If you are at risk for heart rhythm problems (e.g., people with heart failure, Angina, low potassium or magnesium levels), discuss with your doctor how Trazodone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Trazodone, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Blood pressure: Trazodone may cause Low Blood Pressure and possibly cause a feeling of lightheadedness when moving from a sitting or lying position to a standing position.

Dizziness: Trazodone can cause severe dizziness, especially when rising from a sitting or lying position. People taking medications that can cause dizziness should rise slowly from sitting or lying down to reduce the possibility of severe dizziness or fainting.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Trazodone may impair the mental or physical abilities required for potentially hazardous tasks, such as driving or operating machinery. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous tasks until you have determined how Trazodone affects you.

Priapism: Trazodone has been associated with prolonged or inappropriate erections (priapism) for a number of men taking Trazodone. If this occurs, stop taking the medication immediately and contact your doctor.

Seizures: Seizures have been reported for a small number of people taking trazodone. Most of these people were already taking medications for a previously diagnosed seizure disorder. If you have a history of seizures, discuss with your doctor how Trazodone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Trazodone, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Serotonin syndrome: Rarely, severe, life-threatening reactions are possible when trazodone is combined with other medications that act on serotonin, such as tricyclic antidepressants and serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which are other medications used to treat depression. This is called serotonin syndrome. These combinations should be avoided. Symptoms of a reaction may include muscle rigidity and spasms, difficulty moving, changes in mental state including delirium and agitation. Coma and death are possible.

Stopping the medication: If Trazodone needs to be stopped, it should be done gradually, under the supervision of your doctor. Suddenly stopping trazodone can cause anxiety, agitation or sleep problems.

Pregnancy: The safety of trazodone for use during pregnancy has not been established. It should not be used by women who may become pregnant unless, in the opinion of their doctor, the expected benefits outweigh the potential risks. If you are or may be pregnant, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of Trazodone.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if trazodone passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Trazodone, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children and adolescents: The safety and effectiveness of trazodone have not been established for people less than 18 years of age.

Seniors: People over the age of 65 years may be more at risk of side effects from Trazodone and may require lower treatment doses.

The dosage of this medication depends on what it is used for. Depending on the circumstance, it may be used regularly or only as needed. Follow the instructions provided by your health care professional. It is not advisable to chew or crush this medication since it has an unpleasant taste. It is not advisable to stop using this product suddenly, particularly if you have been on it for several weeks. If you are considering stopping the medication, talk to your pharmacist first. It is preferable to take this medication with a meal or a snack in order to reduce adverse effects. Consuming alcohol may intensify the effect of this product. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Talk to your health care professional to find out exactly how much alcohol you can drink.