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Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of trazodone in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of trazodone in geriatric patients.
Drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, vision problems, dryness of mouth, and constipation may be more likely to occur in the elderly, who are usually more sensitive to the effects of trazodone.
Pregnancy
| Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| All Trimesters | C | Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women. |
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Linezolid
- Metoclopramide
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Amiodarone
- Droperidol
- Fluoxetine
- Ginkgo
- Paroxetine
- St John's Wort
- Venlafaxine
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Atazanavir
- Carbamazepine
- Chlorpromazine
- Clarithromycin
- Digoxin
- Foxglove
- Indinavir
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Nefazodone
- Phenytoin
- Ritonavir
- Thioridazine
- Tipranavir
- Trifluoperazine
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Alcohol abuse, or history of—Drinking alcohol with trazodone will increase the central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects.
- Bipolar disorder (mood disorder with alternating episodes of mania and depression), or risk of or
- Heart disease or
- Heart rhythm problems or
- Priapism (painful or prolonged erection of the penis)—Use with caution. Trazodone may make these conditions worse.
- Kidney disease or
- Liver disease—Higher blood levels of trazodone may occur, increasing the chance of side effects.
