Trazodone is an antidepressant drug. When one’s one of the brain chemicals’ (serotonin) activity become imbalanced then this drug is used to minimize depression. Trazodone is treated to care for despair. It can also be applied for release of nervousness disorders (e.g. sleeplessness, tension) and chronic pain. Trazodone can also be applied for other reasons which are not recorded.
Information about trazodone
Before taking trazodone, you should inform your doctor if you have any kind of disorders, heart disease, liver or kidney disorders or a the past of drug cruelty or desperate thoughts. When first taking trazodone you may have suicide thoughts. You need to be checked by doctors regularly for at least 12 weeks.
Alcohol is strictly prohibited. The effects of alcohol can be increased by alcohol which can be very risky. Trazodone can damage your thoughts or feedbacks. Be alert if you drive or do something that necessitates you to be attentive. Stop taking trazodone and call your doctor at once to avoid trazodone side effects.
Do not take this medicine if you have allergy to this drug. Do not use this if you use medicine like furazolidone, isocarboxazid, Nardil, Azilect, selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam) in the last 14 days.
If any of these following states have had by someone, he may require a trazodone dose modification or special tests:
- manic depression;
- heart disease;
- liver or kidney disorder;
- a history of drug mistreatment or thoughts of suicide;
Dosage:
Trazodone should be treated with low level and with the passing of time the doses should be increased gradually. The clinical response and any fact of intolerance should be noted carefully. Increasing the dosage quickly does not usually shorten this hidden period and may amplify the rate of side effects.
Usual adult dosage:
The suggested preliminary dose is 150 to 200 mg in 24 hours, in 2 or 3 alienated doses. To diminish adverse reactions this medicine should be taken immediately after meal.
The primary dose may be improved with the tolerance and response of the patient by increases of 50 mg and highly up to 300 mg daily in separated doses.
Adverse Effects of trazodone:
The most common unfavorable effects observed are drowsiness, headache, nausea/vomiting and dry mouth. Unpleasant effects reported comprise the following:
Behavioral:
- Drowsiness
- fatigue, retardation, lethargy
- difficulty in concentration, impaired memory, confusion
- anxiety, nervousness, restlessness, tension
- Anger
Neurologic:
- Tremor, headache
- muscle stiffness
- retarded speech, slurred speech.
Autonomic:
- Dry mouth
- blurred vision
- diplopia, nasal congestion, miosis,
- urinary frequency and also incontinence
Cardiovascular:
- Hypertension ,Orthostatic hypotension,
- Shortness of breath, Palpitations
Gastrointestinal:
- vomiting, diarrhea
- gastrointestinal discomfort
- increased appetite.
Endocrine:
- decrease and, increase in libido, more rarely
- weight loss and gain
- inhibition of ejaculation.
Allergic or toxic:
- Skin rash, edema, itching
- liver enzyme alterations
- photosensitivity and fever
Miscellaneous:
- Aching joints and also muscles
- Chest pain
- Red, itchy eyes and tired.
Precautions:
Use the medicine very carefully,
Be aware of doses,
Only use when prescribed by a doctor.
Be aware of instructions.
3 Responses
Though there are a number of side effects using Trazodone, the fact of the matter is that I am unable to wean myself away from this drug because of the fact that I suffer from some the worst form of arthritis. I am now forced to increase my dosage to 15 mg per day but am not able to reduce it for the simple reason that it has helped to lead a much better quality of life as far as mobility is concerned. But what worries me is the fact that it may cause long time side effects. I have been using this drug now for the past 2 years and wonder whether if I will ever be able to wean myself away from it.
I am around 50 years old and have been diagnosed with a congestive heart failure disease that is not exactly life threatening but could become so if the right kind of treatment is not given. I was on several drugs over the past few months but none of them worked to either my satisfaction or the satisfaction of the physician who was treating me. Hence I was put on Trazodone and ever since I have been on this drug my symptoms have improved quite dramatically. It is now almost 6 months and I am on this drug (10mg once daily) and things are much better now. I would not say that I have been free of side effects, but it is too small a price to pay considering the benefits that I am getting out of it.
I have a history of mild poisoning which occurred some 15 years ago and ever since then I have been having regular attacks of moderate to severe bronchitis. Apart from making breathing difficult this problem also is compounded by throat that gets swollen and congested. Though antibiotics, bronchodilators and other such drugs offer me temporary symptomatic relief, the real permanent relief came when I was treated with Trazodone, when I had a severe attack of bronchitis and inflamed tonsils. Initially I was started on a dosage on 20 mg which has now been tapered of to 5 mg per day and things are much better under control.