Nefazodone: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

Functions & Usage

What is Nefazodone used for?

Nefazodone is a drug used to treat depression. Because of the risk of liver disease, this drug is usually used after trying other drugs. Nefazodone works by helping restore a certain balance of chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine).

How do you use Nefazodone?

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

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

Take this medication as prescribed. Do not increase your dose or take this drug more often than prescribed. This method will not make your condition improve any faster, which in fact may increase the risk of serious side effects.

Take this medicine regularly to get optimal benefits. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time each day.

It is important to continue to take this medicine as prescribed even if your condition starts to improve. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

It may take several weeks before this medication seems to work. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse.

How do I store Nefazodone?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Precautions & Warnings

What should be considered before using Nefazodone?

Before using Nefazodone:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Nefazodone, trazodone (Desyrel) or any other medicines.
• Tell your doctor if you are taking astemizole (Hismanal) (not available in the United States), carbamazepine (Tegretol), cisapride (Propulsid) (not available in the United States), pimozide (Orap), tertenadine (Seldane) (not available at United States); or triazolam (Halcion). Your doctor may tell you not to use Nefazodone.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about any medications (prescription or non-prescription), vitamins, nutritional supplements, and any herbal products you are currently using or will be using. Make sure you mention the following range of drugs, if you do use them, alprazolam (Xanax), anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin); buspirone (BuSpar); cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins) such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), and simvastatin (Zocor); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); digoxin (Lanoxin); haloperidol (Haldol); medicine for high blood pressure, medicine for seizures, medicine to treat anxiety; muscle relaxants; propranolol (Inderal); sedatives; sleeping pills; tacrolimus (Prograf); or tranquilizers. If you recently stopped using fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), your doctor may give you a few weeks' time off before you can start using Nefazodone. Also, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have taken or stopped using any of the following drugs in the past two weeks, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, EMSAM), Zelapar) or tranylcypromine (Parnate). Your doctor will change the dose of your medication or take more close supervision to avoid side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have had seizures, heart attacks, chest pain, strokes and other types of heart disease.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are currently breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while being treated with Nefazodone, contact your doctor
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Nefazodone.
• You should know that Nefazodone can cause drowsiness, and it affects your ability to judge, think or drive skills. Don't drive a car, operate machinery until you know how much impact this drug has on your consciousness.
• Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking Nefazodone
• You should know that Nefazodone can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position. This is more common when you first start taking Nefazodone. To help avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.
• You should know that diarrhea, vomiting, not drinking enough fluids, and sweating profusely can all cause a drop in blood pressure, which can cause lightheadedness and fainting. Tell your doctor if you have had this problem during your treatment.

Is Nefazodone safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This medicine is included in the pregnancy risk category C. (A = No risk, B = No risk in some studies, C = Possible risk, D = There is positive evidence of risk, X = Contraindicated, N = unknown)

It is not known whether Nefazodone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a breastfed baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby.

Side effects

What are the possible side effects of Nefazodone?

SIDE EFFECTS

Dizziness, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, dry mouth, or constipation may occur. If any of these side effects persist or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

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

To relieve dry mouth, suck on (unsweetened) candy or chew gum (without sugar), drink water, or use saliva.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medicine because he or she has judged that the benefits to you outweigh the risk of side effects. Many people using this drug have no serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if there are rare but serious side effects like these: Problems with vision (for example, blurred vision), confusion, weakness, fainting, seizures, easy bleeding / bruising.

Seek immediate medical attention if any of the following rare but very serious side effects occur: black stool, vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

For men, this is very rare, but if you have a painful or prolonged erection that lasts 4 hours or more, stop using this drug and seek medical help immediately or the problem will turn into a permanent problem.

Very serious allergic reactions to this drug are rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching / swelling (especially face / tongue / throat), severe dizziness, difficulty breathing.

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug Interactions

What drugs can interfere with the drug Nefazodone?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Fever or allergy medications, narcotic pain medications, sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, and medications for seizures or anxiety can add to the side effects of Nefazodone. Tell your doctor if you regularly use these drugs, or other antidepressants.

Tell your doctor about the types of medicines you use, in particular:

• Buspirone (BuSpar)
• Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf)
• Digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin)
• Haloperidol (Haldol)
• Phenytoin (Dilantin)
• Propranolol (Inderal)
• Tacrolimus (Prograph)
• Triazolam (Halcion)
• Blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• Cholesterol-lowering drugs such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor), or lovastatin (Mevacor);
• Other antidepressants such as desipramine (Norpramin) or fluoxetine (Prozac).

Can certain foods and drinks interfere with the drug Nefazodone?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interfere with the performance of the drug Nefazodone?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have any other health problems, especially

• Seizures or a history of having had one — The risk of having another seizure may be increased
• Dehydration or
• Hypovolemia (low blood volume) —Maybe the chance of developing low blood pressure is increased
• Heart disease or
• Stroke (or history of having had a stroke) - Nefazodone may make the condition worse by causing low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Liver function problems - If your liver is not functioning properly due to liver problems or liver disease and you are still taking Nefazodone, the amount of Nefazodone in your blood may be too high. Things like this might cause serious illness or damage your liver.
• Liver function problems when using this medicine before and you are forced to stop using it - If you use Nefazodone again, your chances of getting back with problems with liver function are even greater. Tell your doctor if you have previously used this drug.
• Mania (a type of mental illness) (history of having the disease) - Nefazodone may cause the problem to recur.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for a doctor's prescription. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage for Nefazodone for adults?

Usual Adult Dose for Depression

Initial dose: 100 mg orally twice a day.

Maintenance dose: 150-300 mg orally twice a day. The dose may be increased by 100 to 200 mg increments at intervals of not less than 1 week.

What is the dosage of Nefazodone for children?

Usual Children's Dose for Depression

7-12 years:

Initial dose: 50 mg orally twice a day (for research).

Maintenance dose: 100-150 mg orally twice a day. The dose can be increased by 50 mg gradually at intervals of not less than 1 week.

12 to 18 years:

Initial dose: 50 mg orally twice a day (for research).

Maintenance dose: 100 to 300 mg orally twice a day. The dose may be increased by 50 to 100 mg increments at intervals of not less than 1 week.

In what dosages and preparations is Nefazodone available?

Tablet, Oral: 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 250 mg.

What to do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Overdose symptoms may include:

• Nausea
• Gag
• Sleepy

What should I do if I forget to take medicine or forget to take medicine?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment.