Trazodone: uses, appearance and warnings

Trazodone hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults . Trazodone hydrochloride tablets are a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) ( 1 )

Trazodone hydrochloride tablets are available in the following strengths: 25 mg - white, film-coated, round, convex, tablets; debossed "883" on one side and debossed “O” on the other side. 75 mg - peach, film-coated, round, convex, scored tablets; debossed "8 | 86" on one side and debossed “O” on the other side. Tablets: 25 mg ( 3) . Scored tablets: 75 mg ( 3 ).

Trazodone hydrochloride tablets USP, 25 mg are white, film-coated, round, convex, tablets, debossed "883" on one side and debossed “O” on the other side. They are available as follows: Bottles of 100: NDC 52817-395-10 Trazodone hydrochloride tablets USP, 75 mg are peach, film-coated, round, convex, scored tablets, debossed "8 | 86" on one side and debossed “O” on the other side. They are available as follows: Bottles of 100: NDC 52817-396-10 Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container as defined in the USP. Dispense with attached Medication Guide (also available at: www.trupharma.com)

Trazodone hydrochloride tablets are contraindicated in: Patients taking, or within 14 days of stopping, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue, because of an increased risk of serotonin syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) , Drug Interactions (7.1) ]. Concomitant use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or use within 14 days of stopping MAOIs ( 4 ).

Serotonin Syndrome: Increased risk when co-administered with other serotonergic agents (e.g., SSRI, SNRI, triptans), but also when taken alone. If it occurs, discontinue trazodone hydrochloride tablets and initiate supportive treatment ( 5.2 ). Cardiac Arrhythmias: Increases the QT interval. Avoid use with drugs that also increase the QT interval and in patients with risk factors for prolonged QT interval ( 5.3 ). Orthostatic Hypotension and Syncope: Warn patients of risk and symptoms of hypotension ( 5.4 ). Increased Risk of Bleeding: Concomitant use of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), other antiplatelet drugs, warfarin, and other anticoagulants may increase this risk ( 5.5 ). Priapism: Cases of painful and prolonged penile erections and priapism have been reported. Immediate medical attention should be sought if signs and symptoms of prolonged penile erections or priapism are observed ( 5.6 ). Activation of Mania or Hypomania: Screen for bipolar disorder and monitor for mania or hypomania ( 5.7 ). Potential for Cognitive and Motor Impairment: Has potential to impair judgment, thinking, and motor skills. Advise patients to use caution when operating machinery ( 5.9 ). Angle-Closure Glaucoma: Avoid use of antidepressants, including trazodone hydrochloride tablets, in patients with untreated anatomically narrow angles. ( 5.10 ). 5.1 Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Pediatric and Young Adult Patients In pooled analyses of placebo-controlled trials of antidepressant drugs (SSRIs and other antidepressant classes) that included approximately 77,000 adult patients and over 4,400 pediatric patients, the incidence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients was greater in antidepressant-treated patients than in placebo-treated patients. The drug-placebo differences in the number of cases of suicidal thoughts and behaviors per 1000 patients treated are provided in Table 1 . No suicides occurred in any of the pediatric studies. There were suicides in the adult studies, but the number was not sufficient to reach any conclusion about antidepressant drug effect on suicide. Table 1: Risk Differences of the Number of Cases of Suicidal Thoughts or Behaviors in the Pooled Placebo-Controlled Trials of Antidepressants in Pediatric and Adult Patients Age Range (years) Drug-Placebo Difference in Number of Patients of Suicidal Thoughts or Behaviors per 1000 Patients Treated Increases Compared to Placebo <18 14 additional patients 18-24 5 additional patients Decreases Compared to Placebo 25-64 1 fewer patient ≥65 6 fewer patients It is unknown whether the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients extends to longer-term use, i.e., beyond four months. However, there is substantial evidence from placebo-controlled maintenance trials in adults with MDD that antidepressants delay the recurrence of depression. Monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, especially during the initial few months of drug therapy and at times of dosage changes. Counsel family members or caregivers of patients to monitor for changes in behavior and to alert the healthcare provider. Consider changing the therapeutic regimen, including possibly discontinuing trazodone hydrochloride tablets, in patients whose depression is persistently worse, or who are experiencing emergent suicidal thoughts or behaviors. 5.2 Serotonin Syndrome Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and SSRIs, including trazodone hydrochloride tablets, can precipitate serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition. The risk is increased with concomitant use of other serotonergic drugs (including triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, and St. John’s Wort) and with drugs that impair metabolism of serotonin, i.e., MAOIs [see Contraindications (4) , Drug Interactions (7.1) ]. Serotonin syndrome can also occur when these drugs are used alone. Serotonin syndrome signs and symptoms may include mental status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, delirium, and coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, dizziness, diaphoresis, flushing, hyperthermia), neuromuscular symptoms (e.g., tremor, rigidity, myoclonus, hyperreflexia, incoordination), seizures, and gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). The concomitant use of trazodone hydrochloride tablets with MAOIs is contraindicated. In addition, do not initiate trazodone hydrochloride tablets in a patient being treated with MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue. No reports involved the administration of methylene blue by other routes (such as oral tablets or local tissue injection). If it is necessary to initiate treatment with an MAOI such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue in a patient taking trazodone hydrochloride tablets, discontinue trazodone hydrochloride tablets before initiating treatment with the MAOI [see Contraindications (4) , Drug Interactions (7.1) ]. Monitor all patients taking trazodone hydrochloride tablets for the emergence of serotonin syndrome. Discontinue treatment with trazodone hydrochloride tablets and any concomitant serotonergic agents immediately if the above symptoms occur, and initiate supportive symptomatic treatment. If concomitant use of trazodone hydrochloride tablets with other serotonergic drugs is clinically warranted, inform patients of the increased risk for serotonin syndrome and monitor for symptoms. 5.3 Cardiac Arrhythmias Clinical studies indicate that trazodone hydrochloride may be arrhythmogenic in patients with preexisting cardiac disease. Arrhythmias identified include isolated PVCs, ventricular couplets, tachycardia with syncope, and torsade de pointes. …

The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Serotonin Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Cardiac Arrhythmias [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Orthostatic Hypotension and Syncope [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Increased Risk of Bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Priapism [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Activation of Mania or Hypomania [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Discontinuation Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Potential for Cognitive and Motor Impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] Angle-Closure Glaucoma [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] Hyponatremia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) ] Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 5% and twice th …

CNS Depressants: trazodone hydrochloride tablets may enhance effects of alcohol, barbiturates, or other CNS depressants ( 7 ). CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Consider trazodone hydrochloride tablets dose reduction based on tolerability ( 2.5 , 7 ). CYP3A4 Inducers: Increase in trazodone hydrochloride tablets dosage may be necessary ( 2.5 , 7 ). Digoxin or Phenytoin: Monitor for increased digoxin or phenytoin serum levels ( 7 ). Warfarin: Monitor for increased or decreased prothrombin time ( 7 ). 7.1 Drugs Having Clinically Important Interactions With Trazodone Hydrochloride Tablets Table 3: Clinically Important Drug Interactions with Trazodone Hydrochloride Tablets Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of MAOIs and serotonergic drugs including trazodone hydrochloride tablets increases the risk of serotonin syndrome. …