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|Nefazodone

Nefazodone

Nefazodone is used for:

Treating depression.

Nefazodone is a synthetically derived phenylpiperazine antidepressant. How it improves depression symptoms is not fully understood. It is thought to increase the activity of certain chemicals in the brain (norepinephrine, serotonin), which help elevate mood.

Do NOT use Nefazodone if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Nefazodone
• you are taking aldosterone blockers (eg, spironolactone), astemizole, carbamazepine, cisapride, eletriptan, H₁ antagonists (eg, diphenhydramine), monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (eg, phenelzine), pimozide, terfenadine, or tramadol

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Nefazodone :

Some medical conditions may interact with Nefazodone . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have liver disease, stomach bleeding, high blood levels of an enzyme called transaminase, suicidal tendencies or have attempted suicide, or are debilitated

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Nefazodone . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• H₁ antagonists (eg, diphenhydramine), HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), MAO inhibitors (eg, phenelzine), or tramadol because side effects of Nefazodone , such as increased sedation, may be increased
• Aldosterone blockers (eg, spironolactone), astemizole, benzodiazepines (eg, alprazolam), buspirone, carbamazepine , cisapride, corticosteroids (eg, hydrocortisone), cyclosporine, eletriptan, H₁ antagonists (eg, diphenhydramine), HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, simvastatin), triazolam, MAO inhibitors (eg, phenelzine), pimozide, terfenadine, or tramadol because the actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the effectiveness of these medicines may be decreased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Nefazodone may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Nefazodone :

Use Nefazodone as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Nefazodone comes with an additional patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully and reread it each time you get Nefazodone refilled.
• Nefazodone may be taken with or without food.
• Do not take Nefazodone within 4 hours of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine).
• If you miss a dose of Nefazodone , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Nefazodone .

Important safety information:

• Nefazodone may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Nefazodone . Using Nefazodone alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Additional monitoring of your condition is recommended at the start of treatment and whenever a change in dose is made.
• It may take several weeks for Nefazodone to work fully. Continue to take it even though you feel better. Do not stop taking Nefazodone without checking with your doctor.
• Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other medications that cause drowsiness (eg, sedatives, tranquilizers) while taking Nefazodone . Nefazodone will add to the effects of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants.
• Antidepressants can increase suicidal thoughts and actions in some children and teenagers. This risk may be higher in individuals with bipolar illness (also called manic-depressive illness), a family history of bipolar illness, or a history of attempting suicide. Pay close attention to changes in moods or actions, especially if changes occur suddenly. Contact your health care provider right away if any of the following effects occur or worsen: depression, anxiety, restlessness or irritability, panic attacks, thoughts or attempts of suicide, or other unusual changes in behavior or mood.
• LAB TESTS, including liver function, kidney function, and complete blood cell counts, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Nefazodone with extreme caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• The medicine is not recommended for use in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• Stop taking Nefazodone and contact your health care provider at once if painful or prolonged erection occurs. If the condition lasts for more than 24 hours, seek immediate medical attention.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Nefazodone during pregnancy. It is unknown if Nefazodone is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are taking Nefazodone , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Nefazodone :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Abnormal dreams; abnormal skin sensations; changes in taste; chills; confusion; constipation; decreased concentration; decreased sex drive; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; fever; frequent urination; headache; incoordination; increased appetite; increased cough; indigestion; lightheadedness; memory loss; mental confusion; ringing in the ears; sleeplessness; sore throat; swelling of the hands and feet; tremor; urinary retention; urinary tract infection; vaginal infection; weakness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); anxiety; blurred vision; dark urine; extreme fatigue; fainting; general body discomfort; hostility; impulsive feelings; irregular heartbeat; irritability; loss of appetite; mental or mood changes; nausea; painful, prolonged erections; seizures; severe restlessness; stomach pain; thoughts of hurting yourself; upset stomach; vomiting; worsening of depression; yellowing of skin/eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include drowsiness; increased sweating; nausea; sluggishness; vomiting.

Store Nefazodone at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Nefazodone out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Nefazodone , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Nefazodone is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Nefazodone . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.