Desyrel (Trazodone) Information

Desyrel (Trazodone) Uses

Desyrel (Trazodone) belongs to the group of medicines known as antidepressants or mood elevators. It is used to relieve mental depression and depression that sometimes occurs with anxiety. Trazodone is also sometimes used to treat schizophrenia (long lasting, disabling mental illness in which the patient loses touch with reality); anxiety (excessive worry); alcohol abuse; and abnormal, uncontrollable movements that may be experienced as side effects of other medications.

How does Desyrel (Trazodone) work?

Desyrel (Trazodone) is an Antidepressant, Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor/Antagonist. Trazodone works by preventing this re-absorption of serotonin back into the nerve cells. It may also act to mimic the mood-lightening effect of released serotonin and enhance a very small degree of noradrenaline release from nerve cells in the brain. Therefore, it helps enhance and prolong the mood-lightening effect of any released noradrenaline and serotonin. This helps relieve depression, and also acts to relieve anxiety.

How to take Desyrel (Trazodone)

Desyrel (Trazodone) comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with a meal or light snack two or more times a day. To help you remember to take trazodone, take it around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take trazodone exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it, take it more often, or take it for a longer time than prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor may start you on a low dose of trazodone and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every 3 to 4 days. Your doctor may decrease your dose once your condition is controlled. Trazodone controls depression, but does not cure it. It may take 2 weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of trazodone. Continue to take trazodone even if you feel well. Do not stop taking trazodone without talking to your doctor. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually.

Desyrel (Trazodone) precautions

Studies have shown that children and teenagers who take antidepressants ('mood elevators') such as trazodone may be more likely to think about harming or killing themselves or to plan or try to do so than children who do not take antidepressants. Children younger than 18 years of age should not normally take trazodone. Abrupt withdrawal of this medicine should be avoided. Do not drink alcohol whilst taking this medicine. This medicine may reduce the ability to drive or operate machinery safely. If your erection lasts longer than 4 hours (priapism), consult a doctor immediately. Treatment of this condition should not be delayed more than 6 hours. This medication may cause low blood sodium levels (hyponatraemia). This can result in drowsiness, confusion or convulsions.

What to tell your doctor

Before starting treatment make sure that your healthcare professional knows if you are taking any other medication. No safety information is available in pregnancy. Avoid use in the first trimester of pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor. No safety information is available in breastfeeding. Discuss with your doctor.

Desyrel (Trazodone) side effects

The most common adverse reactions encountered are drowsiness, nausea/vomiting, headache and dry mouth. Adverse reactions reported include the following: Behavioral: Drowsiness, fatigue, lethargy, retardation, lightheadedness, dizziness, difficulty in concentration, confusion, impaired memory, disorientation, excitement, agitation, anxiety, tension, nervousness, restlessness, insomnia, nightmares, anger, hostility and, rarely, hypomania, visual distortions, hallucinations, delusions and paranoia. Neurologic: Tremor, headache, ataxia, akathisia, muscle stiffness, slurred speech, retarded speech, vertigo, tinnitus, tingling of extremities, paresthesia, weakness, grand mal seizures (see Precautions), and, rarely impaired speech, muscle twitching, numbness, dystonia and involuntary movements. Autonomic: Dry mouth, blurred vision, diplopia, miosis, nasal congestion, constipation, sweating, urinary retention, increased urinary frequency and incontinence. Cardiovascular: Orthostatic hypotension, hypertension, tachycardia, palpitations, shortness of breath, apnea, syncope, arrhythmias, prolonged P-R interval, atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, ventricular ectopic activity (including ventricular tachycardia), myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest. Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal discomfort, anorexia, increased appetite. Endocrine: Priapism (see Warnings), decrease and, more rarely, increase in libido, weight gain and loss, and rarely, menstrual irregularities, retrograde ejaculation and inhibition of ejaculation. Allergic or toxic: Skin rash, itching, edema, and, rarely, hemolytic anemia, methemoglobinemia, liver enzyme alterations, obstructive jaundice, leukocytoblastic vasculitis, purpuric maculopapular eruptions, photosensitivity and fever. Miscellaneous: Aching joints and muscles, peculiar taste, hypersalivation, chest pain, hematuria, red, tired and itchy eyes.

Trazodone Overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Order Prescription Trazodone Online

You can order Prescription Trazodone online here.