Nefazodone Tablets

What is this medication?

NEFAZODONE (nef AY zoe done) treats depression. It increases the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, substances that help regulate mood.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Serzone

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Bipolar disorder or mania
• Glaucoma
• Heart disease
• Liver disease
• Seizures
• Suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt; a previous suicide attempt by you or a family member
• An unusual or allergic reaction to nefazodone, other medications, food, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth with water. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Keep taking it unless your care team tells you to stop.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Carbamazepine
• Duloxetine
• Eplerenone
• Ergot alkaloids like dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methysergide
• Linezolid
• Lovastatin
• Medications called MAO Inhibitors like Nardil, Parnate, Marplan, Eldepryl
• Methylene blue
• Naloxegol
• Pimozide
• Ranolazine
• Simvastatin
• SSRIs like citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, and sertraline
• Trazodone
• Triazolam
• Venlafaxine
• Red yeast rice

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Atorvastatin
• Buspirone
• Cyclosporine
• Desipramine
• Digoxin
• Erythromycin
• General anesthetics
• Haloperidol
• Ketoconazole
• Lithium
• Medications for anxiety or sleeping problems, such as alprazolam, diazepam, or clonazepam
• Phenytoin
• Tacrolimus
• Warfarin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Tell your care team if your symptoms do not get better or if they get worse. Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Because it may take several weeks to see the full effects of this medication, it is important to continue your treatment as prescribed by your care team.

Patients and their families should watch out for new or worsening thoughts of suicide or depression. Also watch out for sudden changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose, call your care team.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medication affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medication. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water will help. Contact your care team if the problem does not go away or is severe.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Irritability, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat, muscle stiffness, twitching muscles, sweating, high fever, seizure, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, which may be signs of serotonin syndrome
• Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
• Prolonged or painful erection
• Seizures
• Sudden eye pain or change in vision such as blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss
• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Agitation, feeling irritable or restless
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Trouble sleeping

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature below 40 degrees C (104 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.