How should this medicine be used?
Trazodone comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken one or more times a day with food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take trazodone exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Continue to take trazodone even if you feel well. Do not stop taking trazodone without talking to your doctor, especially if you have taken large doses for a long time. Your doctor probably will want to decrease your dose gradually. This drug must be taken regularly for a few weeks before its full effect is felt.
Other uses for this medicine
Trazodone also is used occasionally to treat anxiety and cocaine withdrawal. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking trazodone,
* tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to trazodone or any other drugs.
* tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking or have taken within the last 2 weeks, especially anticoagulants [warfarin (Coumadin)]; digoxin (Lanoxin); fluoxetine (Prozac); MAO inhibitors [phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate)]; medication for high blood pressure, seizures, asthma, colds, or allergies; muscle relaxants; sedatives; sleeping pills; thyroid medications; tranquilizers; and vitamins.
* tell your doctor if you have had a recent heart attack or have ever had heart disease or high blood pressure, glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, difficulty urinating, seizures, an overactive thyroid gland, or liver or kidney disease.
* tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking trazodone, call your doctor immediately.
* if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking trazodone.
* you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
* remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Trazodone should be taken shortly after a meal or li
