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Nefazodone

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(nef ay' zoe done)

Brand name(s): Serzone

Contents of this page:

IMPORTANT WARNING:

Nefazodone may cause liver failure, which can be life-threatening. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: yellowing of the skin or eyes, unusually dark urine, loss of appetite that lasts several days, stomach pain, nausea, and lack of energy.

Why is this medication prescribed?

Nefazodone is used to treat depression. Nefazadone is in a class of medications called antidepressants (mood elevators). It works by increasing the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain.

How should this medicine be used?

Nefazodone comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken two times a day and may be taken with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take nefazodone exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Continue to take nefazodone even if you feel well. Do not stop taking nefazodone without talking to your doctor, especially if you have taken large doses for a long time. Your doctor probably will want to decrease your dose gradually. This drug must be taken regularly for a few weeks before its full effect is felt.

Other uses for this medicine

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking nefazodone,

What should I do if I forget a dose?

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 nefazodone once a day at bedtime and do not remember to take it until the next morning, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Side effects from nefazodone are common:

Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNINGS section, call your doctor immediately:

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

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.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to nefazodone.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Last Revised - 01/01/2003


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The MedMaster™ Patient Drug Information database provides information copyrighted by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland Copyright© 2004. All Rights Reserved.