Uses
What is nefazodone used for?
Nefazodone is used to treat depression.
Nefazodone may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does nefazodone work (mechanism of action)?
Nefazodone is an antidepressant that belongs to a group of medicines called serotonin modulators. The way it works is not completely understood. It is thought to work by increasing the amount of natural chemicals called serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.
How is nefazodone supplied (dosage forms)?
Nefazodone is available in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.
- 50 mg oral tablets
- 100 mg oral tablets
- 150 mg oral tablets
- 200 mg oral tablets
- 250 mg oral tablets
How should I store nefazodone?
Nefazodone should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of nefazodone?
The most common side effects of nefazodone are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Sleepiness
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Feeling unusually weak
- Feeling lightheaded
- Vision problems
- Confusion
There may be other side effects of nefazodone that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of nefazodone?
While less common, the most serious side effects of nefazodone are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Nefazodone may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using nefazodone and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Suicidal Thoughts or Actions. Nefazodone or other antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in a small number of children, teenagers, or young adults in the first few months of taking the medicine or when the dose is changed. Depression or other serious mental health conditions are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts or actions. If you or your child is about to harm themselves, call 911 or call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.
- New or increased thoughts of suicide or death
- Suicide attempt
- New or increased feelings of anxiety, depression, or other unusual changes in your mood or behavior
Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking nefazodone. This may include life-threatening liver failure, and in rare cases, can cause death. Your healthcare provider will order blood tests to monitor your liver function during treatment with nefazodone. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach or belly pain
- Fever
- Weakness or unusual tiredness
- Itching
- Loss of appetite
- Light-colored poop
- Dark-colored urine
- Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
Glaucoma. Nefazodone may increase pressure inside the eye and cause or worsen narrow-angle glaucoma, which can lead to blindness. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of glaucoma.
- Loss of vision
- Eye pain or redness
- Severe headache or vomiting
- Seeing bright, colorful circles around lights (vision halos)
Low Blood Pressure Upon Standing (Orthostatic Hypotension). Nefazodone may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up from a seated or lying position. To help prevent this, be careful not to get up too quickly. If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down right away until the dizziness stops, then take your time getting up again. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of orthostatic hypotension.
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting upon standing
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Feeling weak
Extremely Elevated Mood (Mania). People with bipolar disorder can have severe high and low moods. The first symptom of bipolar disorder may be depression. People with bipolar disorder who take an antidepressant, such as nefazodone, may have a higher risk of having mania or a manic episode. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a manic episode.
- Dramatic increase in energy
- Significant trouble sleeping
- Your thoughts are racing and fast-paced
- Engaging in reckless behavior
- Having unusually grand ideas
- Feeling excessively happy or irritable
- Talking more or faster than usual
Seizures. Some people who have taken nefazodone have reported having seizures. There are many different types of seizures and some of them are not easy to recognize. Stop taking nefazodone and call your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.
- Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
- Stiffening of your arms and legs
- Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Falling or losing consciousness
Painful, Prolonged Erection (Priapism). Nefazodone may cause an unwanted erection that is persistent, painful, and that may occur without sexual arousal. Permanent damage to the penis may occur if priapism is not treated quickly. Stop taking nefazodone and get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of priapism.
- Erection lasting for more than 4 hours
- Erection that is unrelated to sexual stimulation
- Painful or tender penis
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not take nefazodone?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take nefazodone.
- Nefazodone
- Serzone
- Trazodone
- Desyrel
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific nefazodone products they stock.
Drug Interactions. Nefazodone should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking nefazodone, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Liver Problems. Nefazodone should not be used if your liver is not working as well as it should be. If there is a concern about the health of your liver, your healthcare provider may do tests to determine if it is working well enough to take this medicine. If you previously took nefazodone, and stopped taking it due to liver problems, you should not take this medicine again.
What should I know about nefazodone before using it?
Do not take nefazodone unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share nefazodone with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep nefazodone out of the reach of children.
Nefazodone can make you feel tired or affect your thinking and reaction time. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness and coordination until you know how nefazodone affects you.
People who are 65 and older can be at greater risk for some side effects from nefazodone. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.
Do not stop taking nefazodone without talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping too quickly may cause serious side effects. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.
- Anxiety, irritability, or high or low mood
- Feeling restless
- Changes in sleep habits
- Headache
- Sweating or shaking
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Electric-shock like feelings
- Confusion
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using nefazodone?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if nefazodone is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and past health conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any of the following.
- Liver problems
- Heart problems, including heart attack or stroke
- Manic episodes (a state of extreme excitability or agitation)
- Seizures (or a history of seizures)
- History of suicidal thoughts or attempts
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how nefazodone could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking nefazodone, you can register for the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants by calling 844-405-6185 or at www.womensmentalhealth.org/research/pregnancyregistry/antidepressants. This registry collects safety information about the use of antidepressant medicines during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if nefazodone passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Interactions
Does nefazodone interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between nefazodone and foods or drinks.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking nefazodone. The combination can increase sleepiness or affect your alertness or concentration.
Does nefazodone interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking nefazodone.
- Pimozide (Orap), which is a medicine used for Tourette syndrome
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol), which is a medicine used for seizures or nerve pain
- Triazolam (Halcion), which is a medicine used to help with sleeping problems
- Alprazolam (Xanax), which is a medicine used to treat anxiety
- A monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past 2 weeks, which is a medicine usually used for depression or Parkinson’s disease
- Haloperidol (Haldol), which is a medicine used to treat certain mental health conditions
- Buspirone, which is a medicine for anxiety
- Fluoxetine (Prozac), which is a medicine used for depression and anxiety conditions
- Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
- Any other medicine that causes dizziness and sleepiness, such as prescription pain medicines, sleep medicines, and medicines for anxiety
- Certain statins, such as simvastatin (Zocor), atorvastatin (Lipitor), and lovastatin (Mevacor), which are medicines used to treat high cholesterol
- Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others) or tacrolimus (Prograf), which are medicines used to suppress your immune system
Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of nefazodone, and vice versa. Nefazodone interacts with many other medicines. Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with nefazodone. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much nefazodone?
If you or someone else has used too much nefazodone, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of nefazodone?
If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take double or extra doses.
Are you currently using Nefazodone?
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