Nefazodone Oral Tablet

Nefazodone is used to treat depression.

This drug comes as a tablet you take by mouth.

This drug is only available as a generic drug.

The more common side effects of this drug include dry mouth, nausea, dizziness, constipation, weakness, lightheadedness, problems with vision, and confusion.

In some cases, nefazodone can cause serious side effects. These can include suicidal thoughts or actions and liver failure.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

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What is nefazodone?

Nefazodone is a prescription drug. It is only available as a generic drug. It comes as a tablet that you take by mouth.

Nefazodone may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications.

Why it's used

Nefazodone is used to treat depression.

How it works

Nefazodone belongs to a class of drugs called antidepressants.

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More common side effects

The more common side effects of nefazodone can include:

• sleepiness

• dry mouth

• nausea

• dizziness

• constipation

• weakness

• lightheadedness

• vision problems

• confusion

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 9-1-1 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

• Liver failure. Symptoms can include:

  • yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
  • urine that is unusually dark
  • loss of appetite that lasts several days or longer
  • severe nausea
  • lower stomach pain

• Thoughts about suicide or dying

• New or worsening depression or anxiety

• Feeling very agitated or restless

• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)

• Acting aggressive, angry, or violent

• Acting on dangerous impulses

• Extreme increase in activity and talking

• Seizures

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Nefazodone can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Alcohol interaction

The use of drinks that contain alcohol should be avoided while taking nefazodone. If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor.

Medications that might interact with this drug

Drugs you should not take with nefazodone

Do not take these drugs with nefazodone. Taking them with nefazodone can cause dangerous effects in your body. Examples of these drugs include:

• Pimozide
  • The combination of these drugs can cause changes in your heart rhythm. This can be life-threatening.
• Carbamazepine
  • Taking this drug with nefazodone can lower the levels of nefazodone in your body too much.

Interactions that can increase the risk of side effects

Taking nefazodone and certain medications may result in an increase in adverse effects. Examples of these drugs include:

• Benzodiazepines such as triazolam and alprazolam
  • Nefazodone can increase the amount of these drugs that stays in your body. This increases your risk of sedation. Triazolam should be avoided in most people who take nefazodone.
• Buspirone
  • Taking this drug with nefazodone increases your risk of lightheadedness, weakness, dizziness, or tiredness. Your doctor may lower your dose of buspirone if you take these drugs together.
• Fluoxetine
  • You may experience brief headaches or moments of lightheadedness, nausea, or sensations of tingling or pricking if you switch from using fluoxetine (another drug used to treat depression) to using nefazodone.
• Statins such as simvastatin, atorvastatin, and lovastatin
  • You may experience muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness when taking these drugs with nefazodone. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose of the statin if you take one of these drugs and nefazodone and this happens to you.
• Haloperidol
  • The combination of nefazodone and haloperidol can increase the levels of haloperidol in your body. This could increase your risk of side effects such as agitation, muscle stiffness, restlessness, and muscle spasms. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose of haloperidol.
• Digoxin
  • Taking nefazodone with digoxin can raise the levels of digoxin in your body. This can increase your risk of side effects from digoxin. These may include confusion, weakness, blurred vision, and abnormal heart rate.
• Immunosuppresive drugs such as cyclosporine or tacrolimus
  • Taking nefazodone with cyclosporine or tacrolimus can raise the levels of these drugs in your body. This can increase your risk of side effects, such as high blood pressure, liver or kidney failure, confusion, muscle weakness, and seizures.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking. Nefazodone warnings

People with bipolar disorder

Let your doctor know if you have a history of bipolar disorder. If you have a history of bipolar disorder, taking nefazodone alone may trigger a mixed or manic episode.

Pregnancy women

Nefazodone is a category C pregnancy drug. That means two things:

1. Research in animals has shown adverse effects to the fetus when the mother takes the drug.
2. There haven’t been enough studies done in humans to be certain how the drug might affect the fetus.

Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This drug should only be used if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Women who are breast-feeding

Nefazodone may pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breast-fed.

Talk to your doctor if you breast-feed your child. You may need to decide whether to stop breast-feeding or stop taking this medication.

For seniors

If you’re older than 65 years, you may be at a higher risk of side effects.

For children

The safety and effectiveness of the use of this drug in people younger than 18 years hasn’t been established.

When to call the doctor

Call your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this drug.

Allergies

Nefazodone can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

• trouble breathing
• swelling of your throat or tongue

If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away. If your symptoms are severe, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:

• your age
• the condition being treated
• how severe your condition is
• other medical conditions you have
• how you react to the first dose

What are you taking this medication for?

Depression

Generic: nefazodone

Form: Oral tablet Strengths: 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 250 mg Adult dosage (ages 18-64 years)

• The typical starting dose is 200 mg per day, taken in 2 divided doses.
• Your doctor may slowly increase your dose every week. A dose that is effective for treating depression ranges from 300 mg to 600 mg per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

It hasn’t been confirmed that the use of nefazodone is safe and effective in people younger than 18 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

Seniors may be at higher risk of side effects of this drug. Your doctor may start you on a lower dose, such as 100 mg per day, and slowly increase your dose.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you. Important considerations for taking nefazodone

You can take nefazodone with or without food

Take nefazodone at the same time every day exactly as prescribed by your doctor

You can cut or crush the tablet

Store this drug carefully

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A prescription for this medication is refillable

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Travel

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Clinical monitoring

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Sun sensitivity

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Not every pharmacy stocks this drug. When filling your prescription, be sure to call ahead.

Insurance

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Are there any alternatives?