Desyrel/Trazodone IS USED FOR:

Treating depression. It may also be used for relief of an anxiety disorder (eg, sleeplessness, tension), chronic pain. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Trazodone/Desyrel is a tetracyclic antidepressant. It is thought to increase the activity of one of the brain chemicals (serotonin), which helps elevate mood.

BEFORE USING Desyrel/Trazodone :

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

• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you consume alcoholic beverages
• if you have a history of depression or suicidal tendencies
• if you have heart disease including irregular heartbeat or have had a heart attack
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you are scheduled to have surgery

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

• Buspirone/Buspar, carbamazepine/Carbatrol, digoxin/Digitek, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin/Dilantin), itraconazole/Sporanox, ketoconazole/Nizoral, nefazodone, serotonin reuptake inhibitors (eg, fluoxetine/Rapiflux), or sodium oxybate (GHB) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Trazodone/Desyrel
• Carbamazepine/Carbatrol, ethanol, ginkgo biloba, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir/Norvir), phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine/Mellaril), or serotonin reuptake inhibitors (eg, fluoxetine/Rapiflux) because side effects, such as increased drowsiness or blurred vision, may occur
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin/Coumadin) because they may decrease Trazodone/Desyrel 's effectiveness. Your doctor may want to adjust your dose while taking Trazodone/Desyrel

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Trazodone/Desyrel 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 Desyrel/Trazodone :

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

• It may take 1 to 4 weeks for Trazodone/Desyrel to work. Do not stop taking Trazodone/Desyrel without checking with your doctor.
• Take Trazodone/Desyrel shortly after a meal or light snack.
• Trazodone/Desyrel comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Trazodone/Desyrel refilled.
• If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up. If more than one dose is missed, restart medication and advise your doctor or pharmacist at your next appointment.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Trazodone/Desyrel .

DO NOT USE Desyrel/Trazodone IF:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Trazodone/Desyrel or nefazodone
• you are taking sodium oxybate (GHB)

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

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF Desyrel/Trazodone :

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:

Blurred vision; constipation; decreased appetite; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; general body discomfort; headache; incoordination; light-headedness; muscle aches/pains; nausea; nervousness; sleeplessness; stomach pain; stuffy nose; swelling of the skin; tiredness; tremors.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood in urine; chest pain; fainting; hallucinations; irregular heartbeat; light-headedness when rising from a lying or seated position; prolonged, inappropriate, or painful erections; seizures; shortness of breath; stroke; vomiting.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

• Trazodone/Desyrel may rarely cause a prolonged, painful erection. This could happen even when you are not having sex. If this is not treated right away, it could lead to permanent sexual problems, such as impotence. Contact your doctor right away if this happens.
• Trazodone/Desyrel should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 6 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• Trazodone/Desyrel may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Trazodone/Desyrel with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Trazodone/Desyrel ; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Trazodone/Desyrel before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Trazodone/Desyrel while you are pregnant. Trazodone/Desyrel is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Trazodone/Desyrel , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
• Children and teenagers who take Trazodone/Desyrel may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions. Adults may also be affected. The risk may be greater in patients who have had suicidal thoughts or actions in the past. The risk may also be greater in patients who have had bipolar (manic-depressive) illness, or if their family members have had it. Watch patients who take Trazodone/Desyrel closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.