Before taking trazodone

Before taking trazodone make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
• If you have recently suffered a heart attack, or have experienced any other heart trouble.
• If you take medication for thyroid problems.
• If you have liver or kidney problems.
• If you have diabetes.
• If you have glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye).
• If you have epilepsy (fits).
• If you have had problems with being constipated over a long time.
• If you have phaeochromocytoma (a growth on the adrenal glands).
• If you have mood swings, mania (an abnormally 'high' mood), or any other mental health problems.
• If you have experienced difficulty passing urine, or have had prostate trouble.
• If you have porphyria (a rare blood disorder).
• If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines. This is especially important if you have taken a treatment for depression, known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), recently.
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or to any other medicine.

How to take trazodone

• Before beginning treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet.
• Follow the instructions given to you by your doctor. Take your doses with a meal or after a small snack if you are taking trazodone at bedtime.
• Try to take trazodone at the same times each day to avoid missing any doses.
• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.

Getting the most from your treatment

• It can take a few weeks to notice improvement in your depression. Do not stop taking trazodone thinking that it is not working, but do let your doctor know if you are not feeling any benefit.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are taking trazodone. Alcohol will increase feelings of drowsiness.
• Try telling people who are close to you how you feel. It is not weak to admit that you are struggling.
• If you have diabetes, make sure you check your blood sugar levels regularly as trazodone can affect the levels of sugar in your blood.
• If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
• Keep your regular doctor's appointment so your progress can be monitored.
• Do not stop taking trazodone without speaking with your doctor first. Stopping treatment suddenly can cause problems and your doctor will probably want to reduce your dose gradually.
• Your doctor may ask you to carry on taking trazodone after you feel better - this is to help stop your depression from returning.
• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.

Can trazodone cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, all medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

How to store trazodone

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines

References

• Manufacturer's PIL, Molipaxin Capsules® 50 mg and 100 mg, Sanofi Aventis, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated May 2009.
• Manufacturer's PIL, Trazodone Tablets, Goldshield Pharmaceuticals, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated August 2010.
• British National Formulary; 59th Edition (March 2010) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London.