Trazodone (Desyrel) comes as a tablet to take by mouth.

It is usually taken one or more times a day with food.

Take Trazodone (Desyrel) exactly as directed.

Side effects from Trazodone (Desyrel) are common. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

blood in urine
blurred vision
changes in appetite or weight
changes in sex drive or ability
constipation
diarrhea
difficulty breathing
difficulty urinating
dizziness or lightheadedness
drowsiness
dry mouth
excessive sweating
excitement or anxiety
fever
frequent urination
insomnia
irregular heartbeat
jaw, neck, and back muscle spasms
nightmares
persistent fine tremor or inability to sit still
prolonged or inappropriate erection
severe skin rash
shortness of breath
shuffling walk
skin more sensitive to sunlight than usual
slow or difficult speech
stomach pain or gas
upset stomach
weakness or tiredness
yellowing of the skin or eyes

Before taking Trazodone (Desyrel),

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Trazodone (Desyrel) or any other drugs.

tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking or have taken within the last 2 weeks, especially anticoagulants [warfarin (Coumadin)]; digoxin (Lanoxin); fluoxetine (Prozac); MAO inhibitors [phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate)]; medication for high blood pressure, seizures, asthma, colds, or allergies; muscle relaxants; sedatives; sleeping pills; thyroid medications; tranquilizers; and vitamins.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to Trazodone (Desyrel).

If you take several doses per day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule.

If you take Trazodone (Desyrel) once a day at bedtime and do not remember to take it until the next morning, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Trazodone (Desyrel), an antidepressant is used to treat depression.

Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using Trazodone (Desyrel) for your condition.

Trazodone (Desyrel) medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information

Trazodone (Desyrel) also is used occasionally to treat anxiety and cocaine withdrawal.

Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture.

Tell your doctor if you have had a recent heart attack or have ever had heart disease or high blood pressure, glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, difficulty urinating, seizures, an overactive thyroid gland, or liver or kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Trazodone (Desyrel), call your doctor immediately.

If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Trazodone (Desyrel).

You should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.

Remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by Trazodone (Desyrel).