Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Desyrel

Generic Name: trazodone (Pronunciation: TRAZ oh done)

• What is trazodone (Desyrel)?
• What are the possible side effects of trazodone (Desyrel)?
• What is the most important information I should know about trazodone (Desyrel)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking trazodone (Desyrel)?
• How should I take trazodone (Desyrel)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Desyrel)?
• What happens if I overdose (Desyrel)?
• What should I avoid while taking trazodone (Desyrel)?
• What other drugs will affect trazodone (Desyrel)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is trazodone (Desyrel)?

Trazodone is an antidepressant medication. It affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression

Trazodone is used to treat depression.

Trazodone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Desyrel 150 mg

rectangular, peach, imprinted with MJ 778, 50 50 50

Trazodone 100 mg-BAR

round, white, imprinted with barr, 555 490

Trazodone 100 mg-SID

round, white, imprinted with SL 434

Trazodone 100 mg-TEV

round, white, imprinted with 93 638

Trazodone 100 mg-WAT

round, white, imprinted with 5599, DAN DAN

Trazodone 150 mg-BAR

oval, white, imprinted with barr 732, 50 50 50

Trazodone 150 mg-SID

shield, white, imprinted with SL 441, 50 50 50

Trazodone 150 mg-WAT

round, white, imprinted with 2525 5050, MP168

Trazodone 300 mg-BAR

oval, white, imprinted with barr 733, 100 100 100

Trazodone 50 mg-BAR

round, white, imprinted with barr, 555 489

Trazodone 50 mg-SID

round, white, imprinted with SL 433

Trazodone 50 mg-TEV

round, white, imprinted with 93 637

Trazodone 50 mg-WAT

round, white, imprinted with 5600, DAN DAN

What are the possible side effects of trazodone (Desyrel)?

Stop taking trazodone and call your doctor at once if you have a penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer. This is a medical emergency and could lead to a serious condition that must be corrected with surgery.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• feeling light-headed, fainting;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling; or
• problems with urination.

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

• dizziness or drowsiness;
• headache;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• dry mouth, stuffy nose;
• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
• diarrhea or constipation;
• muscle pain;
• loss of coordination; or
• blurred vision.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about trazodone (Desyrel)?

Before taking trazodone, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have bipolar disorder (manic depression), schizophrenia or other psychiatric illness, a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts, or if you have recently had a heart attack.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

Trazodone works best if you take it after a meal or a snack.

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Trazodone can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking trazodone. Alcohol can increase drowsiness and dizziness caused by trazodone.

Stop taking trazodone and call your doctor at once if you have a penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer. This is a medical emergency and could lead to a serious condition that must be corrected with surgery.