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What is the most important information I should know about
nefazodone?
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While you are taking nefazodone you may need to be monitored
for worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts at the
start of therapy or when doses are changed. This concern about the
increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors may be greater if you
are 18 years of age or younger and are taking nefazodone. In patients
younger than 18 years, the period of risk may extend beyond start of
therapy or when doses are changed. Your doctor may want you to monitor
for the following symptoms: anxiety, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping,
irritability, hostility, impulsivity, severe restlessness, and mania (mental
and/ or physical hyperactivity). These symptoms may be associated with
the development of worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal
thoughts or actions. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop any
new or worsening mental health symptoms during treatment with nefazodone.
Do not stop taking nefazodone. |
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Do not take nefazodone if you have taken a monoamine oxidase
inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil),
or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days, or if you are taking
cisapride (Propulsid), pimozide (Orap), triazolam (Halcion), or
carbamazepine (Tegretol, Tegretol XR, Epitol, Carbatrol). |
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In rare cases, treatment with nefazodone has been associated
with serious liver problems, sometimes resulting in liver transplant or
death. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience yellowing of
the skin or eyes; unusually dark urine; loss of appetite that lasts
several days or longer; severe nausea; or stomach pain. These may be
early signs of liver problems. |
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing
other hazardous activities. Nefazodone may cause dizziness or drowsiness.
If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. |
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Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a
sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a
possible fall. |
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Avoid alcohol during treatment with nefazodone. Alcohol may
increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking nefazodone. |
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Nefazodone is an antidepressant medication. It affects
chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression. |
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Nefazodone is used to relieve symptoms of depression such as
feelings of sadness, worthlessness, or guilt; loss of interest in daily
activities; changes in appetite; tiredness; sleeping too much; insomnia;
and thoughts of death or suicide. |
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Nefazodone may also be used for purposes other than those
listed in this medication guide. |
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
nefazodone?
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• |
While you are taking nefazodone you may need to be monitored
for worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts at the
start of therapy or when doses are changed. This concern about the
increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors may be greater if you
are 18 years of age or younger and are taking nefazodone. In patients
younger than 18 years, the period of risk may extend beyond start of
therapy or when doses are changed. Your doctor may want you to monitor
for the following symptoms: anxiety, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping,
irritability, hostility, impulsivity, severe restlessness, and mania (mental
and/ or physical hyperactivity). These symptoms may be associated with
the development of worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal
thoughts or actions. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop any
new or worsening mental health symptoms during treatment with nefazodone.
Do not stop taking nefazodone. |
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• |
In rare cases, treatment with nefazodone has been associated
with serious liver problems, sometimes resulting in liver transplant or
death. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience yellowing of
the skin or eyes; unusually dark urine; loss of appetite that lasts
several days or longer; severe nausea; or stomach pain. These may be
early signs of liver problems. |
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Do not take nefazodone if you are taking any of the
following drugs: |
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a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate); |
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triazolam (Halcion); or |
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carbamazepine (Tegretol, Tegretol XR, Epitol, Carbatrol). |
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These drugs can cause very serious interactions with
nefazodone that could lead to seizures, heart damage, and even death. |
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Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have |
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heart disease, high or low blood pressure, or irregular
heartbeats; |
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had manic episodes (extreme agitation or excitability); |
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You may not be able to take nefazodone, or you may require a
dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any
of the conditions listed above. |
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Nefazodone is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means
that it is not known whether nefazodone will harm an unborn baby. Do not
take nefazodone without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant
or could become pregnant during treatment. |
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It is not known whether nefazodone passes into breast milk.
Do not take nefazodone without first talking to your doctor if you are
breast-feeding. |
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If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to
experience side effects from nefazodone. |
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How should I take nefazodone?
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Take nefazodone exactly as directed by your doctor. If you
do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or
doctor to explain the instructions to you. |
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Take each dose with a full glass of water. |
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It is important to take nefazodone regularly to get the most
benefit. |
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Do not stop taking nefazodone without first talking to your
doctor. It may be several weeks before you begin to feel better, and you
may require continuous treatment for quite some time. |
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Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other
medical evaluations during treatment with nefazodone to monitor progress
and side effects. |
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Store nefazodone at room temperature away from moisture and
heat. |
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What happens if I miss a dose?
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it
is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed
dose and take only the next one as directed. Do not take a double
dose of this medication. |
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What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. |
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Symptoms of a nefazodone overdose include drowsiness, nausea,
vomiting, and seizures. |
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What should I avoid while taking nefazodone?
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing
other hazardous activities. Nefazodone may cause dizziness or drowsiness.
If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. |
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• |
Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a
sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a
possible fall. |
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Avoid alcohol during treatment with nefazodone. Alcohol may
increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking nefazodone. |
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What are the possible side effects of nefazodone?
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If you experience any of the following uncommon but serious
side effects, stop taking nefazodone and seek emergency medical
attention or contact your doctor immediately: |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the
throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); |
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prolonged, painful, or inappropriate erections (this could
lead to a serious condition requiring surgery). |
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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Continue to take nefazodone and talk to your doctor when it is
convenient if you experience: |
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dizziness, lightheadedness, or drowsiness; |
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blurred or abnormal vision. |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to
your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is
especially bothersome. |
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What other drugs will affect nefazodone?
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Do not take nefazodone if you are taking any of the following drugs: |
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a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate); |
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carbamazepine (Tegretol, Tegretol XR, Epitol, Carbatrol); |
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triazolam (Halcion); or |
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These drugs can have very serious interactions with nefazodone that
could lead to seizures, heart damage, and even death. |
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Many other drugs may interact with nefazodone. Talk to your doctor
before taking any other medications during treatment with nefazodone,
especially any of the following: |
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cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); |
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digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps); |
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warfarin (Coumadin); or |
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atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), or simvastatin (Zocor). |
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You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during
treatment if you are taking any of these medicines. |
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with nefazodone.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or
over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal
products. |
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Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has more information about nefazodone written for
health professionals that you may read. |
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed. |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided
by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug
information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed
to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients
and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and
not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug
or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given
patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of
healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The
information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. |
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.01. Revision date: 9/
27/ 04. |
