nefazodone 150 mg tablet

Generic name:
Nefazodone - oral

Pronunciation
(neh-FAZZ-oh-doan)

Brand name(s)
Serzone

Antidepressant medications are used to treat a variety of conditions, including depression and other mental/mood disorders. These medications can help prevent suicidal thoughts/attempts and provide other important benefits. However, studies have shown that a small number of people (especially people younger than 25) who take antidepressants for any condition may experience worsening depression, other mental/mood symptoms, or suicidal thoughts/attempts. It is very important to talk with the doctor about the risks and benefits of antidepressant medication (especially for people younger than 25), even if treatment is not for a mental/mood condition.

Tell the doctor right away if you notice worsening depression/other psychiatric conditions, unusual behavior changes (including possible suicidal thoughts/attempts), or other mental/mood changes (including new/worsening anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, hostile/angry feelings, impulsive actions, severe restlessness, very rapid speech). Be especially watchful for these symptoms when a new antidepressant is started or when the dose is changed.

Nefazodone has rarely caused very serious (possibly fatal) liver disease. Tell your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of liver disease, including nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, severe stomach/abdominal pain, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver disease or abnormal liver function tests.

Your doctor should perform liver function tests periodically while you are taking this medication. If your doctor directs you to stop taking this medication because of liver problems or abnormal liver function tests, you should not take this drug again. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

This medication is used to treat depression. Because of the risk of liver disease, this medication is usually used after trying other drugs. Nefazodone works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances (serotonin, norepinephrine) in the brain.

Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using nefazodone and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may start you at a low dose and gradually increase your dose.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed. Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and the risk of serious side effects may be increased.

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.

Keep taking this medication even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

It may take several weeks before this drug takes effect. Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.

See also Warning section.

Dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, nausea, dry mouth, or constipation may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

To relieve dry mouth, suck on (sugarless) hard candy or ice chips, chew (sugarless) gum, drink water, or use a saliva substitute.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

• confusion
• weakness
• fainting
• seizures
• easy bleeding/bruising

Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including:

• black stools
• vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• eye pain/swelling/redness
• widened pupils
• vision changes (such as seeing rainbows around lights at night, blurred vision)

Rarely, males may have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 or more hours. If this occurs, stop using this drug and get medical help right away, or permanent problems could occur.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

• rash
• itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
• severe dizziness
• trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

See also Warning section.

Before taking nefazodone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to trazodone; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

• liver disease
• personal or family history of psychiatric disorder (such as bipolar/manic-depressive disorder)
• personal or family history of suicide attempts
• heart/blood vessel disease (such as history of stroke/heart attack)
• dehydration
• seizures
• intestinal ulcers/bleeding (peptic ulcer disease)
• personal or family history of glaucoma (angle-closure type)

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis). Alcohol may also cause liver disease.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially dizziness/drowsiness or bleeding.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

Since untreated mental/mood problems (such as depression) can be a serious condition, do not stop taking this medication unless directed by your doctor. If you are planning pregnancy, become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, immediately discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medication during pregnancy.

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include:

• carbamazepine
• eplerenone
• ergot alkaloids (such as dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine)
• ivabradine
• lurasidone
• pimozide
• triazolam
• alpha blockers (such as terazosin)
• digoxin
• fluoxetine
• medications for high blood pressure
• other antidepressants (including trazodone, SSRIs such as fluoxetine)
• other drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (for example, anticoagulants such as heparin or warfarin, antiplatelet drugs including NSAIDs such as ibuprofen)

Taking MAO inhibitors with this medication may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, metaxalone, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before and 1 week after treatment with this medication. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking this medication.

Avoid taking eletriptan within 72 hours of taking this medication.

This medication can slow down the removal of other medications from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of affected drugs include buspirone, dasatinib, domperidone, fentanyl, regorafenib, sunitinib, tacrolimus, "statin" cholesterol drugs (such as simvastatin, lovastatin, atorvastatin), certain benzodiazepines (such as alprazolam) among others.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness such as opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine).

Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many medications contain pain relievers/fever reducers (NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen) that may increase your risk for bleeding if taken together with this drug. However, if your doctor has told you to take low-dose aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke (usually 81-162 milligrams a day), you should keep taking the aspirin unless your doctor tells you not to. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, extreme drowsiness.

Do not share this medication with others.

Lab and/or medical tests (such as liver function) should be done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.