What is trazodone? Trazodone is an antidepressant that belongs to a group of drugs called serotonin receptor antagonists and reuptake inhibitors (SARIs). While trazodone is not a true member of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) class of antidepressants, it does still share many properties of the SSRIs. Trazodone is used to treat major depressive disorder. It may help to improve your mood, appetite, and energy level as well as decrease anxiety and insomnia related to depression. Trazodone works by helping to restore the balance of a certain natural chemical (serotonin) in the brain. Warnings You should not use trazodone if you are allergic to it, or if you are being treated with methylene blue injection. Do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine and others. Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using trazodone. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, 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. Do not give this medicine to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor. Trazodone is not approved for use in children. Before taking this medicine You should not use trazodone if you are allergic to it. Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and others. After you stop taking trazodone, you must wait at least 14 days before you start taking an MAOI. Tell your doctor if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. An interaction with trazodone could cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: liver or kidney disease; heart disease, or a recent heart attack; a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; seizures or epilepsy; narrow-angle glaucoma; long QT syndrome; drug addiction or suicidal thoughts; or bipolar disorder (manic depression). Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Taking trazodone during pregnancy could harm the baby, but stopping the medicine may not be safe for you. Do not start or stop this medicine without asking your doctor. If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of trazodone on the baby. It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk. Trazodone is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old. How should I take trazodone? Take trazodone exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Take trazodone after a meal or a snack. It may take up to 2 weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve. You should not stop using this medicine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant symptoms (such as dizziness, vomiting, agitation, sweating, confusion, numbness, tingling, or electric shock feelings). Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine. Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Dosing information Usual Adult Dose for Depression: Initial dose: 150 mg orally per day in divided doses; this may be increased by 50 mg orally per day every 3 to 4 days Maximum dose: -Inpatients: 600 mg/day -Outpatients: 400 mg/day Comments: -Patients should be screened for a personal/family history of bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania prior to initiating treatment. -Patients should be monitored for withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing therapy. -After an adequate response has been reached, dosage may be gradually reduced depending on therapeutic response. -If drowsiness develops, a major portion of the daily dose may be administered at bedtime or a reduction of dosage may be necessary. -This drug should be taken shortly after a meal or light snack. Use: Treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD)   What happens if I miss a dose? Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time. What happens if I overdose? Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose can be fatal when trazodone is taken with alcohol, barbiturates such as phenobarbital, or sedatives such as diazepam (Valium). Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, vomiting, penis erection that is painful or prolonged, fast or pounding heartbeat, seizure (black-out or convulsions), or breathing that slows or stops. What to avoid Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur. Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil, Aleve, Motrin, and others. Using an NSAID with trazodone may cause you to bruise or bleed easily. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Trazodone side effects Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to trazodone: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking trazodone and call your doctor at once if you have a penis erection that is painful or lasts 6 hours or longer. This is a medical emergency and could lead to a serious condition that must be corrected with surgery. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, 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: fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out); slow heartbeats; unusual thoughts or behavior; easy bruising, unusual bleeding; or low levels of sodium in the body - headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady. Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Common trazodone side effects may include: drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness; swelling; weight loss; blurred vision; diarrhea, constipation; or stuffy nose. 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 other drugs will affect trazodone? Using trazodone with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can interact with trazodone, especially: any other antidepressants; phenytoin; St. John's wort; tramadol; a diuretic or "water pill"; medicine to treat anxiety, mood disorders, or mental illness such as schizophrenia; a blood thinner - warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven; or migraine headache medicine - sumatriptan, Imitrex, Maxalt, Treximet, and others. This list is not complete and many other drugs may interact with trazodone. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

What is venlafaxine? Venlafaxine is an antidepressant belonging to a group of drugs called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs). Venlafaxine affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with depression. Venlafaxine is a prescription medicine used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety, and panic disorder. Warnings You should not take venlafaxine if you have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma. Do not use venlafaxine within 7 days before or 14 days after you have used an MAO inhibitor, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine. Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavioral 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. Do not stop using venlafaxine without first talking to your doctor. Do not give this medicine to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor. Venlafaxine is not FDA approved for use in children. Before taking this medicine You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to venlafaxine or desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), or if you have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma. Do not use venlafaxine within 7 days before or 14 days after you have used an MAO inhibitor, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. Tell your doctor if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. An interaction with venlafaxine could cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. To make sure venlafaxine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: bipolar disorder (manic depression); liver disease; kidney disease; heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol; diabetes; glaucoma; a thyroid disorder; a seizure; bleeding problems; or low blood levels of sodium. Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Venlafaxine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old. Taking this medicine during pregnancy could harm the baby, but stopping the medicine may not be safe for you. Do not start or stop venlafaxine without asking your doctor. Do not breastfeed. How should I take venlafaxine? Take venlafaxine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Take with food at the same time each day. Swallow the extended-release capsule or tablet whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it. If you cannot swallow a capsule whole, open it and mix the medicine with applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing. Do not stop using venlafaxine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant symptoms (such as agitation, confusion, tingling or electric shock feelings). Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine. Your symptoms may not improve for several weeks. Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. This medicine may cause false results on a drug-screening urine test. Tell the laboratory staff that you use venlafaxine. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Dosing information Usual Adult Dose for Depression: Immediate release: -Initial dose: 37.5 mg orally twice a day OR 25 mg orally 3 times a day -Maintenance dose: 75 to 150 mg orally per day, given in divided doses -Maximum dose: ---Moderately depressed outpatients: 225 mg/day ---Severely depressed inpatients: 375 mg/day Extended release: -Initial dose: 75 mg orally once a day -Maintenance dose: 75 to 225 mg orally once a day -Maximum dose: ---Moderately depressed outpatients: 225 mg/day ---Severely depressed inpatients: 375 mg/day Comments: -The daily dosage of immediate-release formulations may be divided into 2 or 3 doses/day. -Healthcare providers should consider initial extended release doses of 37.5 mg orally once a day for 4 to 7 days (before increasing the dose to 75 mg/day) in patients who may require additional time to adjust to the drug. -Doses may be increased in daily increments of up to 75 mg orally at intervals of no less than 4 days. -Patients should be periodically reassessed for the continued need of maintenance treatment and for the appropriate dose of treatment. -Use of doses exceeding 225 mg/day is limited. Use: Treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) Usual Adult Dose for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Extended release: -Initial dose: 75 mg orally once a day -Maintenance dose: 75 to 225 mg orally once a day -Maximum dose: 225 mg/day Comments: -Healthcare providers should consider initial extended release doses of 37.5 mg orally once a day for 4 to 7 days (before increasing the dose to 75 mg/day) in patients who may require additional time to adjust to the drug. -Doses may be increased in daily increments of up to 75 mg orally at intervals of no less than 4 days. Use: Treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) Usual Adult Dose for Social Anxiety Disorder: Extended release: 75 mg orally once a day Comment: There is no evidence that doses greater than 75 mg/day confer additional benefit. Uses: -Treatment of social anxiety disorder (SAD) -Treatment of social phobia Usual Adult Dose for Panic Disorder: Extended release: -Initial dose: 37.5 mg orally once a day for 7 days, then 75 mg orally once a day thereafter -Maintenance dose: 75 to 225 mg orally once a day -Maximum dose: 225 mg/day Comment: Doses may be increased in daily increments of 75 mg orally at intervals of no less than 7 days. Use: Treatment of Panic Disorder (PD), with or without agoraphobia   What happens if I miss a dose? Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time. What happens if I overdose? Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. What should I avoid while taking venlafaxine? Do not drink alcohol. Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil, Aleve, Motrin, and others. Using an NSAID with venlafaxine may cause you to bruise or bleed easily. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how venlafaxine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired. Venlafaxine side effects Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to venlafaxine: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, 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: blurred vision, eye pain or redness, seeing halos around lights; cough, chest tightness, trouble breathing; a seizure (convulsions); unusual bleeding - nosebleeds, bleeding gums, abnormal vaginal bleeding, any bleeding that will not stop; low blood sodium - headache, confusion, problems with thinking or memory, weakness, feeling unsteady; or severe nervous system reaction - very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out. Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea Common venlafaxine side effects may include: headache, dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness; feeling anxious, nervous, or jittery; sleep problems, unusual dreams; tremors; fast heartbeats; blurred vision; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation; changes in weight or appetite; dry mouth, yawning; increased sweating; or sexual problems. 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 other drugs will affect venlafaxine? Using venlafaxine with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can interact with venlafaxine, especially: any other antidepressant; cimetidine; tramadol; St. John's wort, tryptophan (sometimes called L-tryptophan); diet pills, weight loss medicine (such as phentermine); a blood thinner - warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven; medicine to treat mood disorders, thought disorders, or mental illness - buspirone, lithium, and many others; or migraine headache medicine - sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, and others. This list is not complete and many other drugs may interact with venlafaxine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

What is venlafaxine? Venlafaxine is an antidepressant belonging to a group of drugs called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs). Venlafaxine affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with depression. Venlafaxine is a prescription medicine used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety, and panic disorder. Warnings You should not take venlafaxine if you have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma. Do not use venlafaxine within 7 days before or 14 days after you have used an MAO inhibitor, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine. Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavioral 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. Do not stop using venlafaxine without first talking to your doctor. Do not give this medicine to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor. Venlafaxine is not FDA approved for use in children. Before taking this medicine You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to venlafaxine or desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), or if you have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma. Do not use venlafaxine within 7 days before or 14 days after you have used an MAO inhibitor, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. Tell your doctor if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. An interaction with venlafaxine could cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. To make sure venlafaxine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: bipolar disorder (manic depression); liver disease; kidney disease; heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol; diabetes; glaucoma; a thyroid disorder; a seizure; bleeding problems; or low blood levels of sodium. Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Venlafaxine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old. Taking this medicine during pregnancy could harm the baby, but stopping the medicine may not be safe for you. Do not start or stop venlafaxine without asking your doctor. Do not breastfeed. How should I take venlafaxine? Take venlafaxine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Take with food at the same time each day. Swallow the extended-release capsule or tablet whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it. If you cannot swallow a capsule whole, open it and mix the medicine with applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing. Do not stop using venlafaxine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant symptoms (such as agitation, confusion, tingling or electric shock feelings). Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine. Your symptoms may not improve for several weeks. Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. This medicine may cause false results on a drug-screening urine test. Tell the laboratory staff that you use venlafaxine. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Dosing information Usual Adult Dose for Depression: Immediate release: -Initial dose: 37.5 mg orally twice a day OR 25 mg orally 3 times a day -Maintenance dose: 75 to 150 mg orally per day, given in divided doses -Maximum dose: ---Moderately depressed outpatients: 225 mg/day ---Severely depressed inpatients: 375 mg/day Extended release: -Initial dose: 75 mg orally once a day -Maintenance dose: 75 to 225 mg orally once a day -Maximum dose: ---Moderately depressed outpatients: 225 mg/day ---Severely depressed inpatients: 375 mg/day Comments: -The daily dosage of immediate-release formulations may be divided into 2 or 3 doses/day. -Healthcare providers should consider initial extended release doses of 37.5 mg orally once a day for 4 to 7 days (before increasing the dose to 75 mg/day) in patients who may require additional time to adjust to the drug. -Doses may be increased in daily increments of up to 75 mg orally at intervals of no less than 4 days. -Patients should be periodically reassessed for the continued need of maintenance treatment and for the appropriate dose of treatment. -Use of doses exceeding 225 mg/day is limited. Use: Treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) Usual Adult Dose for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Extended release: -Initial dose: 75 mg orally once a day -Maintenance dose: 75 to 225 mg orally once a day -Maximum dose: 225 mg/day Comments: -Healthcare providers should consider initial extended release doses of 37.5 mg orally once a day for 4 to 7 days (before increasing the dose to 75 mg/day) in patients who may require additional time to adjust to the drug. -Doses may be increased in daily increments of up to 75 mg orally at intervals of no less than 4 days. Use: Treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) Usual Adult Dose for Social Anxiety Disorder: Extended release: 75 mg orally once a day Comment: There is no evidence that doses greater than 75 mg/day confer additional benefit. Uses: -Treatment of social anxiety disorder (SAD) -Treatment of social phobia Usual Adult Dose for Panic Disorder: Extended release: -Initial dose: 37.5 mg orally once a day for 7 days, then 75 mg orally once a day thereafter -Maintenance dose: 75 to 225 mg orally once a day -Maximum dose: 225 mg/day Comment: Doses may be increased in daily increments of 75 mg orally at intervals of no less than 7 days. Use: Treatment of Panic Disorder (PD), with or without agoraphobia   What happens if I miss a dose? Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time. What happens if I overdose? Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. What should I avoid while taking venlafaxine? Do not drink alcohol. Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil, Aleve, Motrin, and others. Using an NSAID with venlafaxine may cause you to bruise or bleed easily. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how venlafaxine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired. Venlafaxine side effects Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to venlafaxine: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, 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: blurred vision, eye pain or redness, seeing halos around lights; cough, chest tightness, trouble breathing; a seizure (convulsions); unusual bleeding - nosebleeds, bleeding gums, abnormal vaginal bleeding, any bleeding that will not stop; low blood sodium - headache, confusion, problems with thinking or memory, weakness, feeling unsteady; or severe nervous system reaction - very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out. Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea Common venlafaxine side effects may include: headache, dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness; feeling anxious, nervous, or jittery; sleep problems, unusual dreams; tremors; fast heartbeats; blurred vision; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation; changes in weight or appetite; dry mouth, yawning; increased sweating; or sexual problems. 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 other drugs will affect venlafaxine? Using venlafaxine with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can interact with venlafaxine, especially: any other antidepressant; cimetidine; tramadol; St. John's wort, tryptophan (sometimes called L-tryptophan); diet pills, weight loss medicine (such as phentermine); a blood thinner - warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven; medicine to treat mood disorders, thought disorders, or mental illness - buspirone, lithium, and many others; or migraine headache medicine - sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, and others. This list is not complete and many other drugs may interact with venlafaxine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.