Brand Name(s):
Generic Name Nefazodone
What are nefazodone tablets?
NEFAZODONE is primarily used for the treatment of depression. Nefazodone may benefit patients who have unusual or limiting side effects from other antidepressants. Occasionally nefazodone is prescribed for other behavioral or emotional problems, like anxiety or traumatic stress. NOTE: The Serzone® product is no longer available in the US; however, generic nefazodone tablets are available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•angina
•bipolar disorder or mania
•heart disease or history of heart attack
•liver disease or a history of liver disease
•high blood pressure treated with medications
•low blood pressure
•previous stroke
•have had thoughts of suicide
•an unusual or allergic reaction to nefazodone, other medicines, food, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take nefazodone tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow tablets with a drink of water. You may take nefazodone with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
You must leave a suitable interval between doses. If you are taking two doses a day and have to take a missed dose, make sure there is at least 5 to 6 hours between doses.
What drug(s) may interact with nefazodone?
Do not take nefazodone with any of the following medications:
•astemizole
•carbamazepine
•cerivastatin
•cisapride
•lovastatin
•medicines called MAO inhibitors, like phenelzine (Nardil®), tranylcypromine (Parnate®), isocarboxazid (Marplan®), and selegiline (Eldepryl®)
•pimozide
•red yeast rice
•simvastatin
•terfenadine
•triazolam
Other medications that can interact with nefazodone include:
•alcohol containing beverages
•medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems, like alprazolam, diazepam, or clonazepam
•atorvastatin
•buspirone
•cilostazol
•cyclosporine
•dextroamphetamine
•digoxin
•dofetilide
•entacapone
•furazolidone
•haloperidol
•herbal dietary supplements like kava kava, St. John's wort, and valerian
•linezolid
•loratadine
•medications used for HIV infection (examples: indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir)
•melatonin
•modafinil
•paricalcitol
•phenytoin
•sibutramine
•sildenafil
•some medicines for depression or anxiety (examples: citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine)
•tacrolimus
•tolcapone
•tolterodine
•warfarin
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking nefazodone?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Nefazodone rarely causes liver problems; but report any of the following immediately to your health care professional:
•abdominal pain
•dark yellow or brown urine
•loss of appetite for several days or more
•severe nausea or stomach pain
•yellowing of the skin or the eyes
•unusual tiredness
Other side effects you should report to your health care professional as soon as possible:
•agitation, confusion
•blurred vision, or changes in vision
•irregular heartbeat
•fainting spells, loss of balance
•flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, cough, muscle or joint aches and pains)
•pain or difficulty passing urine
•prolonged or painful erection (men, rare)
•skin rash or hives
•seizures or convulsions
•redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
•weakness
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Rare or less common:
•headache
•sexual difficulties
More common:
•constipation
•dry mouth
•feeling of dizziness
•drowsiness
•mild nausea or stomach upset
What should I watch for while taking nefazodone?
If you are taking this medicine for a long time, you must visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you feel faint or you fall. If you experience feelings or thoughts of suicide, extreme agitation, or inability to sleep or sit still, call your health care provider at once.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how nefazodone affects you. Do not sit up (from a lying position) or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.
Your mouth may become dry. Chewing sugarless gum, sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water will help.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking nefazodone.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
| Available at: www.DrugDigest.org | Last Updated:08/14/2006 |
? 2007 Express Scripts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
These materials are the property of Express Scripts, Inc. and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other laws. Permission for use is granted only for personal, noncommercial purposes.