Nefazodone (By mouth)

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, loose skin, red or itching skin rash.
• Blurred vision or abnormal vision.
• Fever, sweating, confusion, irregular heartbeat, muscle stiffness.
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Muscle stiffness, tremors or shaking, sweating, coordination problems.
• Prolonged, painful erection of the penis.
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Agitation, memory problems, trouble concentrating.
• Constipation, nausea, or stomach pains.
• Dry mouth or cough.
• Enlarged breasts (in men).
• Loss of appetite.
• Ringing in your ears.
• Sexual problems (in men or women).
• Trouble sleeping or trouble staying awake.

Brand Name(s)

Nefazodone HCl, Serzone

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using alprazolam (Xanax®), buspirone (Buspar®), cyclosporine (Neoral®, Sandimmune®), or a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®). Tell your doctor if you are using digoxin (Lanoxin®), fluoxetine (Prozac®), haloperidol (Haldol®), or tacrolimus (Prograf®). Your doctor will also need to know if you are using medicine to lower your cholesterol such as Baycol®, Lescol®, Mevacor®, Pravachol®, or Zocor®.
• You should not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate® within the past 14 days.
• Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• In some cases, this medicine has caused liver damage or failure. Make sure your doctor knows if you have liver disease or a history of liver problems. Call your doctor right away if you have yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, dark-colored urine, pale stools, severe nausea or stomach pains, or a loss of appetite.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Tell your doctor if you have heart disease, seizures, or if you have had a recent stroke or heart attack.
• For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine may increase thoughts of suicide. Tell the doctor right away if you start to feel more depressed or have thoughts about hurting yourself. Report any unusual thoughts or behaviors that trouble you, especially if they are new or get worse quickly. Tell the doctor if you have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, feel very energetic, or start to act reckless. Also report if you suddenly feel nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared. Make sure the doctor knows if you have a family history of bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder or suicide.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery or medical tests.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Introduction

Nefazodone (ne-FAZ-oh-done)

Treats depression.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not use this medicine if you have liver disease or if you have ever had liver damage or an allergic reaction caused by nefazodone. You may not be able to use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to other antidepressants in the past. You should not use this medicine if you are also using astemizole (Hismanal®), carbamazepine (Tegretol®), cisapride (Propulsid®), pimozide (Orap®), terfenadine (Seldane®), or triazolam (Halcion®).

How to Use This Medicine

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• You may need to take this medicine for several weeks before you feel better. Keep using the medicine as your doctor ordered.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088