Type of medicine: antidepressant
Generic and brand names: trazodone, oral; Oleptro
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat depression.
It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more of it or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. You may have to reduce your dosage gradually. Stopping too quickly may cause withdrawal symptoms.
This medicine may come in different forms. If you have extended-release tablets, do not crush or chew them. Swallow them whole. However, you may break the extended-release tablet in half, but do not crush, or chew them. Swallow them with a full glass of water. Take the extended-release tablets at the same time every day in the late evening, preferably at bedtime, on an empty stomach. Ask your pharmacist if you have the extended-release tablets.
Take the regular tablets (non extended-release) with food.
Take this medicine with food.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. You may need to reduce your dose slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: drowsiness, erection that lasts more than 4 hours, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, seizures, slow breathing, breathing that stops.
Antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment. Talk with your provider about this.
Behavior changes may be caused by the medicine or by depression or another mental illness. Contact your provider right away if you or your family notice any disturbing changes in your thoughts or behavior, such as:
It may take several weeks before you start to feel better. Do not stop taking this medicine unless your healthcare provider tells you to do so. You may have withdrawal symptoms if you stop this medicine abruptly.
This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy or cause blurred vision. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Men: Rarely, this medicine may cause a painful erection of the penis that will not return to normal. If you have an erection lasting more than 4 hours, contact your healthcare provider or get medical care right away. It can lead to permanent erectile dysfunction if not treated.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you are unable to reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Chest pain; chills; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; high fever; rash; heavy sweating; fainting; loss of bladder control; numbness or tingling in the hands or feet; prolonged erection; seizures; severe confusion; trouble concentrating or memory problems; trouble walking or loss of balance; persistent headache; severe drowsiness; severe muscle stiffness; thoughts of suicide; trouble urinating; twitching or involuntary movement of your body or face; unusual excitement; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; new or sudden changes in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings; new or worsening trouble sleeping; severe restlessness or panic attacks.
Other: Abnormal dreams, vision problems, constipation, diarrhea, mild dizziness, mild drowsiness, dry mouth, increased or decreased interest in sex, nausea, mild headache, change in sense of taste, muscle aches or pain.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine.
The effects of this medicine may be increased if you take it with grapefruit juice. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
