Actually, generic Trazodone is a serotonin modulator. It is an oral antidepressant drug that affects the chemical messenger’s neurotransmitters within the brain that nerves use to communicate with stimulate each other. The major neurotransmitters are Acetylcholine, Norepinephrine, Dopamine and Serotonin. Many experts believe that an imbalance among the different neurotransmitters is the cause of depression.

Although the exact mechanism of action of Trazodone is unknown it probably improves symptoms of depression by inhibiting the uptake of serotonin by nerves in the brain. This results in more serotonin to stimulate other nerves. Trazodone also may increase directly the action of serotonin. Trazodone is chemically unrelated to the serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs, the tricyclic antidepressants TCAs or the monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAO inhibitors. It is chemically related to nefazodone i.e. Serzone and shares its actions.

However, Trazodone was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1982.

However, before taking Trazodone i.e. Desyrel medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient and read it carefully. Talk to your doctor about all the possible risks of taking Desyrel medication. However, Desyrel may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. Hence, for more information, consult your doctor and your medical pharmacist.

Follow the directions given by the doctor exactly for the usage of the Desyrel i.e. Trazodone medication and also read the prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.

For the treatment of depression the dose for adults is 150-600 mg per day. The initial starting dose usually is 150 mg per day. Trazodone is given in one or more daily doses sometimes with the largest dose at night. As with all antidepressants, it may take several weeks for the full effects of treatment to be seen. Doses often are adjusted slowly upwards to find the optimal dose. Elderly patients and debilitated persons may need lower doses. Trazodone should be taken after a meal or light snack to reduce the risk of dizziness. Food also increases the amount of drug absorbed into the body.

Continue to take Trazodone even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Trazodone without talking to your doctor.

If you notice any of the symptoms, which seem severe or persistent to you, please contact your doctor immediately. However, your doctor may need to monitor you carefully for side effects and alter the doses if necessary.

The most common side effects are dry mouth, skin rashes, blurred vision, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, painful erections, other sexual dysfunctions, trembling, unusual tiredness/weakness, muscle aches/pains, irregular heartbeat i.e. palpitations, headaches, fainting spells, nausea, drowsiness and dizziness etc.

Inform your doctor if you experience any of these side effects or some new side effects occur which appear too bothersome to you.

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to the formulation of this medication or any other medication in any other form and also inform your doctor about any other medication you may be taking in any other form, as they may affect the way your medicine works.

However, all antidepressants that increase concentrations of serotonin in the brain including trazodone should not be taken with MAO-inhibitors. Drugs in the MAO-inhibitor class include isocarboxazid i.e. Marplan, phenelzine i.e. Nardil, tranylcypromine i.e. Parnate and procarbazine i.e. Matulane. Such combinations may lead to confusion high blood pressure and tremor. This same type of interaction may occur when trazodone is used with selegiline i.e. Eldepryl. If a patient is switched from trazodone to an MAO inhibitor at least one week should be allowed after stopping the trazodone before the MAO inhibitor is begun.

Increased blood concentrations of digoxin and phenytoin have been reported in persons taking trazodone due to a decrease in the metabolism break-down and elimination of these drugs by Trazodone.

Moreover, Desyrel i.e. Trazodone may also interact with some kind of foods, varied medications, herbal products, nutritional supplements, vitamins, other OTC medicines, some vaccinations etc. Acquire more information about the interactions of the Desyrel medication from your doctor and the medical pharmacists.

In case of overdose call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

If the suffering patient has collapsed or is not breathing call local emergency services at 911. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Do not allow any other person to use your medication without getting doctor’s prescription themselves and also avoid using this medicine for other health conditions on your own. Keep the medicine away from the children and pets.
Also inform your doctor, if you are pregnant or are breast feeding. If you conceive during the course, inform your doctor immediately. Do not share your medicines with anyone, even if they have the same symptoms, for it may harm them. Do not begin, increase, decrease, or stop using this medicine on your own. In short discuss your complete medical history with your doctor, before taking the medicine.

Remember, it is very important to keep regular appointments with your doctor to study the way your body is responding to the course. And if you are going to have a surgery, tell your health care professional that you are using Desyrel medication.

Carry with you at all times an ID card mentioning your name, the medicine you are taking, the dosage, the name of the person and your health care professional they should call in case of an emergency. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory and keep regular checks ups.

Also avoid alcohol and alcohol containing beverages whilst on a course with this medication.

And in case, if you wish to use the medicine in children, please contact your pediatrician for sure before its use.

If you missed the Desyrel i.e. Trazodone medication dose, do take the medicine immediately provided that there is ample of time in between the next dose. However, if it is almost time for the next dose skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Never double your doses to cope up with the missed. And in case, if you miss your one or two consecutive doses consult to your doctor or physician for guidance and continue further.

Generic Desyrel i.e. Trazodone medication is primarily used to treat depression i.e. mood elevator. However it is sometimes prescribed as a sedative and it also is used in combination with other drugs for the treatment of psychiatric conditions other than depression and cocaine withdrawal.

However, it may also be used to treat some other medical conditions which may be determined by your doctor accordingly and consult a pediatrician for the use of this medication in children.

The generic Desyrel i.e. Trazodone medication may be prescribed for other uses also and hence ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the Desyrel i.e. Trazodone medication.

Store generic Desyrel i.e. Trazodone, at room temperature in between 15-30°C and 59-86°F in a cool and dry place. Keep the medicine in the container, it came in and always keep it tightly closed. Check Expiry date without fail. Keep all medicines away from women, newborns, children and pets. Do not freeze in any case. Also, keep it away from heat, dampness and direct light. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. When the medicine is not in use or outdated it should be discarded. Take help of your pharmacist in disposing this medicine properly. In any case, do not store the Desyrel medication in the bathroom.

Following precautions must be taken during consuming generic Desyrel i.e.
Trazodone:

1. Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had: kidney disease, lung disease, liver disease, heart disease, diabetes, low or high blood pressure, asthma, heart attack, serious injury/infection, irregular heartbeats, mania, bipolar disorder, any attempts or thoughts about suicide or any other severe disease etc. Also inform, if you drink alcoholic beverages or are a tobacco smoker etc.

2. Also acknowledge your doctor if you need to undergo any kind of surgery, including dental surgery or need an x-ray procedure that uses contrast agents. So, inform your doctors immediately about it, so that the doctor can decide whether to continue taking Desyrel medication or stop it during the surgery.

3. Let the doctor also know, if you are in-taking or are planning to take any prescribed or non prescribed medicines, health supplements or any other OTC medications, vitamins etc.

4. Do not use the Desyrel i.e. Trazodone medication, if you have any kind of allergy to it or to any ingredients of it and tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and get treated.

5. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding before taking Desyrel medication. Hence also, inform your doctor immediately when you plan to conceive, or become pregnant during the course.

6. Do not share the drug with others unless they are prescribed by the doctor themselves. And if your symptoms of side effects do not improve in few weeks or if they become worse and bothersome, check these conditions immediately with your doctor.

7. Please, use the Desyrel medicine in the prescribed amount and do not overdose it or use it for the longer period of time. Do not discontinue on your own and consult your doctor before doing so to avoid further problems.

8. Regularly, keep your appointments with your doctor and keep an eye on the progress or side effects that has been noticed during the complete course.

9. Also, avoid smoking and consuming alcohol and alcohol containing beverages during the complete course to achieve good results.

10. For more information, contact your doctor and your pharmacists and also discuss the risks and benefits of the generic Desyrel.