Trazalon (Trazodone 50mg)

Trazalon general information

What is Trazalon used for?

Trazalon tablets 50mg are used to treat all types of depression including depression accompanied by anxiety, to relieve symptoms of depression including anxiety, loss of interest in usual activities, disturbed sleep, change in appetite, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of suicide.  Trazalon tablets 50mg are also used treat anxiety disorders that may affect daily activities and relationships with others including, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder (social phobia), generalised anxiety disorder and other situations that cause anxiety, such as fear of flying and agoraphobia.  Trazalon-50 is also used as a sedative to help people who suffer from sleep problems due to anxiety or agitation. 

How does Trazalon work?

Trazalon tablets 50mg contain trazodone, an antidepressant that is chemically unrelated to known tricyclic, tetracyclic, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or other antidepressant agents.  Although the mechanism by which Trazalon tablets 50mg work as an antidepressant is not fully known, it does acts in the brain to correct the chemical imbalance of neurotransmitters (brain chemicals nerve use cells to communicate), particularly serotonin that controls many body activities, including regulating mood.  An imbalance in brain neurotransmitters like serotonin and noradrenaline, is thought to be one of the major causes of depression and other mood disorders, including anxiety.  Trazodone in Trazalon tablets 50mg is thought to increase serotonin and noradrenaline levels by potentiation of these neurotransmitters, which is increasing their activity; as well as having some SSRI activity, which is inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin by the nerve cells, making more serotonin available for stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood.  However, it is a much weaker SSRI than other drugs in this class.  Trazodone in Trazalon-50 also has central anti-serotonin effect, by blocking receptors for serotonin, and this action is thought to be what gives Trazalon tablets 50mg their sedative and anxiety reducing properties.

What does Trazalon contain?

Trazalon tablets 50mg contain the active ingredient trazodone, an antidepressant drug used to treat depression and anxiety.

Treating depression with Trazalon

Trazalon-50 contains trazodone, an antidepressant that is used to treat all types of depression including depression accompanied by anxiety and to relieve symptoms of depression, including anxiety, loss of interest in usual activities, disturbed sleep, change in appetite, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of suicide.  One of the major causes of depression is thought to be an imbalance of neurotransmitters (brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate) like serotonin and noradrenaline, which control many body activities, including regulating mood.  Trazodone in Trazalon tablets 50mg is thought to increase serotonin and noradrenaline levels by potentiation of these neurotransmitters, which is increasing their activity; as well as having some activity as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin by the nerve cells, making more serotonin available for stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood.  These actions restore the balance in brain neurotransmitters, which helps relieve symptoms of depression.

Trazalon for anxiety disorders

Trazalon-50 contains trazodone, an antidepressant that is used treat anxiety disorders that may affect daily activities and relationships with others, including, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder (social phobia), generalised anxiety disorder and other situations of anxiety, such as fear of flying and agoraphobia.  Trazalon tablets 50mg are also used as a sedative to help people who suffer from sleep problems due to anxiety or agitation.  An imbalance in brain neurotransmitters like serotonin and noradrenaline, is thought to be one of the major causes of anxiety.  Trazodone in Trazalon tablets 50mg is thought to increase serotonin and noradrenaline levels by potentiation of these neurotransmitters, which is increasing their activity; as well as having some activity as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin by the nerve cells, making more serotonin available for stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood.  Trazodone in Trazalon-50 also has central anti-serotonin effect, by blocking receptors for serotonin and this action is thought to be what gives Trazalon tablets 50mg their sedative and anxiety reducing properties.

What are the side effects of Trazalon?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Trazalon tablets 50mg, include, dizziness, insomnia, agitation, tiredness, dry mouth, gastrointestinal disturbances (diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, constipation), headache, feeling weak, weight loss, tremor, low blood pressure, blurred vision, and confusion.

When should Trazalon not be used?

You should not use Trazalon tablets 50mg if you:

• are allergic to trazodone or any ingredients in Trazalon
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have liver or kidney disease
• have cardiovascular disease, particularly angina or recent myocardial infarction
• have schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders as Trazalon may cause worsening of psychotic symptoms
• taking any monoamine oxidase inhibitor medications as these can cause serious reactions if taken with Trazalon or within 14 days
• taking other medication that interacts with Trazalon, including, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression, the anticonvulsant carbamazepine, phenytoin for epilepsy, digoxin for heart failure, ritonavir for HIV, antibiotic such as ketoconazole or itraconazole

What medications interact with Trazalon?

Several medications interact with Trazalon tablets 50mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Trazalon-50 or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Trazalon: monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression;
• Drugs that affect Trazalon: the anticonvulsant carbamazepine, ritonavir for HIV, antibiotic such as ketoconazole or itraconazole
• Drugs that are affected by Trazalon: phenytoin for epilepsy, digoxin for heart failure

How should Trazalon be taken?

You should take your Trazalon tablets 50mg swallowed whole with a glass of water after food once a day in the evening.  Your doctor may increase your dose, depending on what you are being treated for and your condition.  You should take your Trazalon tablets 50mg regularly for several weeks or months, depending on your doctor’s recommendations. 

How long should you take Trazalon?

You should take your Trazalon tablets 50mg regularly for several weeks or months, depending on your doctor’s recommendations. 

Missed dose of Trazalon

If you miss a dose of Trazalon tablets 50mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Trazalon be stored?

You should store your Trazalon tablets 50mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.