Brand
name : Serzone (Nefazodone)
Drug Information provided by: Micromedex
US Brand Names : Serzone
Description :
Nefazodone is used to treat mental depression.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.This
product is available in the following dosage forms: * Tablet
Before Using without prescriptions
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must
be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and
your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies :Tell your doctor if you have ever
had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other
medicines. Also tell your health
care
professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to
foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products,
read
the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric :
Studies on nefazodone have been done only in adult patients, and there
is no specific information comparing use of this medicine in children
up to 18 years of age with use in other age groups.Nefazodone must
be used with caution in children with depression. Studies have shown
occurrences of children thinking about suicide or
attempting suicide in clinical trials for this medicine. More study
is needed to be sure nefazodone is safe and effective in children.
Geriatric : The relationship of age to the effects of nefazodone has
not been systematically studied in older people. However, blood levels
of nefazodone
have been found to be higher in older patients. An older adult may
require a lower dose of nefazodone than a younger adult.
Pregnancy :
Pregnancy Category Explanation
All Trimesters C Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are
no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted
and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.
Breastfeeding
Studies in women breastfeeding have demonstrated harmful infant effects.
An alternative to this medication should be prescribed or you should
stop breastfeeding while using this medicine.
Drug Interactions : Using this medicine with any of the following
medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you
with this medication or change
some of the other medicines you take.
* Astemizole * Cisapride * Dihydroergotamine * Eplerenone *
Ergoloid Mesylates * Ergonovine * Ergotamine * Furazolidone * Isocarboxazid *
Methylergonovine * Phenelzine * Pimozide * Terfenadine
Other Interactions Serzone (Nefazodone)
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating
food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur.
Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions
to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your
medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this
medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical
problems, especially:
* Convulsions (seizures) (history of)—The risk of seizures
may be increased
* Dehydration or
* Hypovolemia (low blood volume)—May increase the chance that low blood
pressure (hypotension) will occur
* Heart disease or
* Stroke (or history of)—Nefazodone may make these conditions worse by
causing low blood pressure (hypotension)
* Liver function problems—If your liver does not function well,
due to liver problems or liver disease and you take nefazodone, the
amount of nefazodone in your blood may be too high. This may cause
serious disease or damage in your liver.
* Liver function problems when taking this medicine before and you
had to stop taking it—You may have a greater chance of having
liver problems if you take nefazodone again. Tell your doctor immediately
if you have taken this medicine before.
* Mania (a type of mental illness) (history of)—Nefazodone
may cause this problem to recur
Proper Use
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more
or less of it and do not take it more or less often than your doctor
ordered.
Sometimes this medicine must be taken for several weeks before you
begin to feel better.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients.
Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following
information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your
dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to
do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the
medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed
between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend
on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
* For oral dosage form (tablets):
o For mental depression:
+ Adults (18 years of age and older)—To start, 200 milligrams (mg) a
day, divided into two doses. Your doctor may increase the dose if needed.
+ Older adults—To start, 100 mg a day, divided into two doses. Your doctor
may increase the dose if needed.
+ Children up to 18 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by the
doctor.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible.
However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose
and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away
from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.Keep out
of the reach of children.Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine
no longer needed.
Precautions :
It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits
to allow dosage adjustments and to help reduce side effects.Do not
take astemizole, cisapride, pimozide, or terfenadine while you are
taking nefazodone. If you do, you may develop a very serious
change in the rhythm of your heartbeat.Do not take carbamazepine while
you are taking nefazodone. It may cause the medicine to not work or
to not work as well.This medicine may cause serious problems with your
liver. Call your doctor right away for any of the following problems.
Abdominal pain,
nausea, vomiting, yellow eyes or skin, dark colored urine, light-colored
stools, feeling very tired or weakDo not take a monoamine oxidase (MAO)
inhibitor (furazolidone, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline, tranylcypromine)
while you are taking or
less than 7 days after taking nefazodone. Do not take nefazodone less
than 14 days after taking an MAO inhibitor. If you do, you may develop
convulsions (seizures), extremely high fever, or other serious unwanted
effects.Nefazodone may cause some people to be agitated, irritable
or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people
to have suicidal
thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. If you or your
caregiver notice any of these adverse effects, tell your doctor right
away.This medicine may add to the effects of alcohol and other central
nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or
less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or
medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers,
or sleeping medicine; prescription pain medicine or narcotics; barbiturates;
medicine for seizures; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including
some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any of
the above while you are using this medicine.This medicine may cause
some people to become dizzy or drowsy, or to have blurred vision or
other vision changes. Make sure you know
how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do
other jobs that require you to be alert and able to see well.Dizziness,
lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up
from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may
help. If this problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.This
medicine may cause dryness of the mouth. For temporary relief, use
sugarless gum or candy, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use
a saliva substitute. However, if your mouth feels dry for more than
2 weeks, check with your medical doctor or dentist. Continuing dryness
of the mouth may increase the chance of dental disease, including tooth
decay, gum disease, and fungus infections.
Side Effects Serzone (Nefazodone)
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted
effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they
do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following
side effects occur:
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