Side effects
In the event that you experience: Call your physician for advice on possible side effects. The following are examples of common trazodone side effects: Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to trazodone: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Consult your doctor if you experience any new or worsening symptoms, such as mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, hostile, agitated, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself. If you experience any of the following serotonin syndrome symptoms, you should seek medical help right away: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heartbeat, stiff muscles, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. If you experience a painful or prolonged penis erection that lasts six hours or more, stop taking trazodone and contact your doctor right away. This is a medical emergency that could develop into a serious condition that requires surgery to treat. There may be additional side effects not included in this list. Effects of trazodone (more information) You can contact the FDA to report side effects at 1-800-FDA-1088. drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness; swelling; weight loss; blurred vision; diarrhea, constipation; or stuffy nose. Low levels of sodium in the body can cause symptoms like headaches, confusion, slurred speech, extreme weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, and feeling unsteady. Other symptoms include fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in the chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out); slow heartbeats; unusual thoughts or behavior; easy bruising, unusual bleeding; or unusual thoughts or behavior.
Interactions
To learn more, consult your physician or pharmacist. Trazodone and numerous medications may interact. Talk to your doctor if you take one of the following medicines: antifungal medicine (ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole) warfarin (coumadin) antidepressants MAO inhibitors digoxin phenytoin carbamazepine HIV medicines These are not all the possible drug interactions with trazodone. Inform your doctor about all of the medications you take, including any prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Contraindications
Other medications and antidepressants may interact. Other adverse effects can be caused by antidepressant medications. Antidepressants are medicines used to treat depression and other illnesses. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position. Call a healthcare provider right away if you or your family member has any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you: thoughts about suicide or dying attempts to commit suicide new or worse depression new or worse anxiety feeling very agitated or restless panic attacks trouble sleeping (insomnia) new or worse irritability acting aggressive, being angry, or violent acting on dangerous impulses an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania) other unusual changes in behavior or mood More information about antidepressant medications: Never stop an antidepressant medicine without first talking to a healthcare provider. When necessary, especially if you have questions about symptoms, call the doctor in between visits. Any new or unexpected changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings should be reported right away to the healthcare provider. The most significant contributors to suicidal thoughts and deeds are depression and other severe mental illnesses. Tazodone shouldn't be combined with alcohol. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how trazodone affects you. Without first consulting your healthcare provider, never start a new medication. How can I keep an eye out for signs of suicidal ideation or behavior in a family member or myself? Important information regarding antidepressant medications, depression and other severe mental illnesses, and suicidal thoughts or actions: During the first few months of treatment, antidepressant medications may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults. The risks of both treating and not treating depression must be thoroughly discussed. To show the doctor, keep a list of all your prescriptions. Remain on time for all scheduled follow-up appointments with the doctor. Know all of the medicines that you or your family member takes. Not all antidepressant medicines prescribed for children are FDA approved for use in children. Discussions about all available treatment options, not just the use of antidepressants, should be held between patients, their families, or other caregivers and the healthcare provider. Be alert to any adjustments in mood, actions, thoughts, or feelings, especially any sudden ones. Some people may have a particularly high risk of having suicidal thoughts or actions. Other symptoms may appear if you suddenly stop taking an antidepressant medication. The side effects of the medication that has been prescribed for you or a member of your family should be discussed with the healthcare provider. For more information, consult the healthcare professional who is caring for your child. These include those who have bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depressive disorder) or have a history of suicidal thoughts or behavior. When starting an antidepressant or changing the dose, this is crucial. Trazodone may make you feel sleepy and lightheaded.
Therefore caution should be exercised when prescribing for patients with hepatic impairment, particularly in cases of severe hepatic impairment. This may be increased up to 300 mg/day in a single or divided doses. A decrease in side effects (increase of the resorption and decrease of the peak plasma concentration) can be reached by taking Trazodone after a meal. There are insufficient data on safety to recommend the use of Trazodone in children below the age of 18 years. Trazodone undergoes extensive hepatic metabolism, see section 5.2, and has also been associated with hepatotoxicity, see sections 4.4 and 4.8.
Mixing trazodone and alcohol can also lead to suicidal thoughts and actions. However, it is much less likely to be fatal compared to mixing alcohol with other medications, such as benzodiazepines and opioids. This is why trazodone has been prescribed as a reliable sleep aid even though its initial intent was not sleep-related. This is especially true if you mix trazodone with other substances, particularly alcohol.
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. However, studies have shown that a small number of people (especially people younger than 25) who take antidepressants for any condition may experience worsening depression, other mental/mood symptoms, or suicidal thoughts/attempts. USES: This medication is used to treat depression. Tell the doctor immediately if you notice worsening depression/other psychiatric conditions, unusual behavior changes (including possible suicidal thoughts/attempts), or other mental/mood changes (including new/worsening anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, hostile/angry feelings, impulsive actions, severe restlessness, very rapid speech). Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often than prescribed.
The common side effects that can be seen in patients after taking Trazodone are – dry mouth bad taste in the mouth stuffy nose headache vomiting constipation anxiety dizziness drowsiness fatigue nausea Some severe effects may be seen in patients after taking Trazodone: Hypotension Orthostatic hypotension (sudden low blood pressure after getting up from sitting or lying) Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat) Priapism (persistent, usually painful, erection) Leukopenia (low WBC count in the blood) Patients should be strictly monitored and examined for side effects while taking this medication. Get in touch with Yashoda Hospitals to consult our expert medical advisors on the uses, dosage and precautions, and side effects of Trazodone.
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