Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Apo Trazodone.
Behaviour changes and suicidal thoughts: Apo Trazodone may worsen symptoms of depression, including thoughts of suicide or wanting to harm themselves or others. It may also cause agitated or aggressive behaviour. If you experience these symptoms or any other behaviour change while taking Apo Trazodone, contact your doctor immediately. Family members or caregivers of people who are taking Apo Trazodone should contact the person's doctor immediately if they notice unusual behaviour changes.
Bleeding: Trazodone may cause a reduced number of platelets in the blood, which can make it difficult to stop cuts from bleeding. If you notice any signs of bleeding, such as frequent nosebleeds, unexplained bruising, or black and tarry stools, notify your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will order routine blood tests to make sure potential problems are caught early.
Glaucoma: Trazodone may worsen symptoms of glaucoma (increased pressure in the eyes), such as blurred vision or eye pain or pressure. If you have glaucoma, discuss with your doctor how Apo Trazodone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Apo Trazodone, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Heart rhythm: Trazodone can cause changes to the normal rhythm of the heart, including an irregular heartbeat called QT prolongation. QT prolongation is a serious life-threatening condition that can cause fainting, seizures, and sudden death. If you are at risk for heart rhythm problems (e.g., people with heart failure, Angina, low potassium or magnesium levels), discuss with your doctor how Apo Trazodone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Apo Trazodone, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Blood pressure: Trazodone may cause Low Blood Pressure and possibly cause a feeling of lightheadedness when moving from a sitting or lying position to a standing position.
Dizziness: Trazodone can cause severe dizziness, especially when rising from a sitting or lying position. People taking medications that can cause dizziness should rise slowly from sitting or lying down to reduce the possibility of severe dizziness or fainting.
Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Trazodone may impair the mental or physical abilities required for potentially hazardous tasks, such as driving or operating machinery. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous tasks until you have determined how Apo Trazodone affects you.
Priapism: Trazodone has been associated with prolonged or inappropriate erections (priapism) for a number of men taking Apo Trazodone. If this occurs, stop taking the medication immediately and contact your doctor.
Seizures: Seizures have been reported for a small number of people taking trazodone. Most of these people were already taking medications for a previously diagnosed seizure disorder. If you have a history of seizures, discuss with your doctor how Apo Trazodone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Apo Trazodone, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Serotonin syndrome: Rarely, severe, life-threatening reactions are possible when trazodone is combined with other medications that act on serotonin, such as tricyclic antidepressants and serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which are other medications used to treat depression. This is called serotonin syndrome. These combinations should be avoided. Symptoms of a reaction may include muscle rigidity and spasms, difficulty moving, changes in mental state including delirium and agitation. Coma and death are possible.
Stopping the medication: If Apo Trazodone needs to be stopped, it should be done gradually, under the supervision of your doctor. Suddenly stopping trazodone can cause anxiety, agitation or sleep problems.
Pregnancy: The safety of trazodone for use during pregnancy has not been established. It should not be used by women who may become pregnant unless, in the opinion of their doctor, the expected benefits outweigh the potential risks. If you are or may be pregnant, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of Apo Trazodone.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if trazodone passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Apo Trazodone, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children and adolescents: The safety and effectiveness of trazodone have not been established for people less than 18 years of age.
Seniors: People over the age of 65 years may be more at risk of side effects from Apo Trazodone and may require lower treatment doses.
