The Trazodone is used to treat depression .
Sometimes it is also used in the treatment of insomnia, schizophrenia and anxiety . It can also be used to control abnormal movements after taking some medications.
How does Trazodone work?
Trazodone works by increasing the levels of serotonin , a chemical used by neurons to communicate with each other; it helps maintain psychological balance.
How is Trazodone taken?
Trazodone is administered orally in the form of tablets to be taken with a little food two or more times a day. However, some types of prolonged-release medications may only need to be taken once a day, before going to sleep, on an empty stomach.
Your doctor may prescribe a low starting dose and then gradually increase it if necessary. If there are side effects , the dose may be reduced.
Side effects of Trazodone
Trazodone may cause an increase in the time it takes for the heart to ventricle (long QT) or corner closure glaucoma, an eye disease caused by increased pressure in the eye. Among its other possible side effects are included:
- headache
- nausea
- He retched
- bad taste in the mouth
- diarrhea
- constipation
- changes in appetite or weight changes
- weakness or tiredness
- nervousness
- dizziness or light-headedness
- instability while walking
- there concentration or memory problems
- confusional state
- nightmares
- muscle pain
- dry mouth
- rash
- sweats
- problems in the sexual sphere
- uncontrollable tremors
- numbness, burning or tingling in arms, legs, hands or feet
- coordination problems
- tired, itchy or red eyes
- tinnitus
It is important to contact your doctor immediately if the treatment is associated with:
- chest pain
- fast, heavy or irregular heart beat
- coma
- fainting
- convulsions
- shortness of breath
- bleeding or bruising
Contraindications and warnings on the use of Trazodone
You should inquire with your doctor about the risks associated with taking grapefruit or its juice while being treated with Trazodone. It may take more than two weeks for the drug to work, but treatment should never be stopped suddenly: withdrawal symptoms will develop.
It is also important to inform your doctor before taking Trazodone:
- of any allergies to the active substance, its excipients or any other drug;
- of other medicines, phytotherapy and supplementswho are taking, in particular anticoagulants, antidepressants, antifungals, Aspirin and other Fans, drugs against HIV or AIDS, Cimetidine, Cisapride, Clarithromycin, Cyclosporine, Danazol, Delvirdina, Dexamethasone, Digoxin, Diltiazem, diuretics, Dysopyramines Dofetilide, Erythromycin, Isoniazid, medicines for allergies, colds, cough, anxiety, high blood pressure, irregular heart beat or pain, psychotropic drugs, anticonvulsants, Linezolid, Methylene Blue, Metronidazole, muscle relaxants, Nefazodone, Oral contraceptives, Procainamide, Quinidine, Quinidine Rifampin, Sedatives, SSRIs, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, Sotalol, Telithromycin, Thioridation, Troleandomycin, Verapamil, Zarfilkulast or MAO inhibitors (even if the treatment was stopped in the previous 2 weeks);
- if you have recently had a heart attack ;
- if you think you are suffering from dehydration ;
- if you suffer (or have suffered) from severe diarrhea or vomiting, high blood pressure, sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, leukemia, cavernous fibrosis, Peyronie’s disease, low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood, arrhythmias, QT syndrome long (also reporting any family cases) or heart, liver or kidney disease;
- if you are pregnant or breastfeeding .
It is also important to inform surgeons and dentists about ongoing Trazodone treatments.
It should also be remembered that, causing drowsiness , Trazodone can impair driving skills, operate dangerous machinery, cause dizziness and fainting when getting up quickly; its side effects can be increased by alcohol.
