Trazodone hydrochloride
What is in Desyrel Capsules?
Your doctor has prescribed Desyrel Capsules. Your medicine is available in two strengths:
Desyrel 50mg Capsules: Each hard capsule contains 50 mg trazodone hydrochloride as active ingredient. The capsules are green-violet coloured and are printed with ‘D50′. Your medicine is available in blister packs containing 84 capsules.
Desyrel 100mg Capsules: Each capsule contains 10Omg trazodone hydrochloride as active ingredient. The capsules are yellow-violet coloured and are printed with ‘D100′. Your medicine is available in blister packs containing 56 capsules.
Both strengths contain the fallowing inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, gelatin, titanium dioxide (E171), yellow iron oxide (E172), erythrosin (E127) and patent blue V (E131). The 50 mg capsules also contain indigo carmine (E132). The printing ink also contains the following ingredients: shellac, titanium dioxide (E171) and brilliant blue (E133).
What is your medicine used for?
Trazodone hydrochloride belongs to a group of medicines called anti-depressants.
Desyrel Capsules are used for the relief of symptoms of all types of depression including depression accompanied by anxiety.
Before you take Desyrel Capsules
Do not take this medicine if:
You are allergic to trazodone hydrochloride or to any of the ingredients listed above.
Please tell your doctor before taking this medicine if:
- You are pregnant, think you might be pregnant or are planning to become pregnant.
- You are breast-feeding.
- You suffer from epilepsy.
- You suffer from kidney or liver disease.
- You suffer from heart problems.
Please tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- Muscle relaxants and inhaled anaesthetics. If you go to hospital to have surgery, please inform the anaesthetist that you are taking Desyrel Capsules.
- Medicines known as Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs). If you have been taking a MAOI, you should not start taking Desyrel Capsules for two weeks after stopping the MAOI. A MAOI should not be taken for at least seven days after you have stopped treatment with Desyrel Capsules.
- You are taking clonidine (a medicine used to lower high blood pressure or to treat migraine).
- Medicines used in the treatment of epilepsy (e.g. phenytoin).
- Medicine used in heart disease (e.g. digoxin).
Before taking Desyrel Capsules you should tell your doctor of all medicines you are taking, including any that you have bought without a prescription (e.g. from the supermarket).
This product contains lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
Driving and using machines
Desyrel Capsules can make you drowsy. If affected, you should not drive or operate machinery.
You are advised NOT to drink alcohol when you are being treated with Desyrel Capsules.
How to take Desyrel Capsules
The label on the carton will tell you how many capsules you should take and when. Follow your doctor’s — advice. The capsules should be swallowed whole with water. Your doctor may want you to take your capsules in divided doses after food or as a single dose as you go to bed. If you are not sure how to take your capsules or how many capsules you should take, please speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
Depression and depression accompanied by anxiety:
the usual starting dose for adults is 150 mg a day. Your doctor may afterwards decide to increase your daily dose to 300 mg. Elderly or weak people will be prescribed a lower dose of 100 mg a day.
Anxiety:
the daily dose may vary from 75 mg to 300 mg a day.
Desyrel Capsules are not recommended for children and adolescents under the age of 13 years.
It is important to continue taking the capsules for as long as your doctor tells you to. You should not suddenly stop taking your capsules without advice from your doctor. When your doctor wants you to stop taking Desyrel Capsules the dose will be reduced gradually. Do not change the dose of Desyrel Capsules unless you have spoken with your doctor.
What if you miss a dose?
If you forget to take a dose at the right time, take it as soon as you remember. Then go on as before.
Do not take two doses at the same time.
What if you have taken too many capsules?
If you have accidentally taken too many capsules, contact your nearest casualty department or tell your doctor/pharmacist immediately.
Possible side effects
As with all medicines, Desyrel Capsules can cause some side effects.
In most people, the most common side effect is drowsiness. This occurs during the first few days of your treatment and usually disappears as your treatment continues.
Other common effects reported include: headache, dizziness, nausea (feeling sick), vomiting (being sick), weakness, decreased alertness, tremor, dry mouth, slow or racing heartbeat, skin rash, low blood pressure, swelling of the ankles (oedema), diarrhoea, constipation, blurred vision, restlessness, weight loss, and insomnia (difficulty in sleeping).
Some men have experienced long-lasting and painful erections while taking Desyrel Capsules. If this happens to you, stop taking the capsules and talk to your doctor immediately.
Rarely, the following side effects have been reported: jaundice (yellowing of the skin and/or eyes) or other abnormalities of liver function, anaemia, a low white cell count (the blood cells that tight infection) and low platelet count (the blood cells which help the blood clot).
If you suffer from any of these unwanted side effects or any other effects not mentioned in this leaflet, please talk to your doctor.
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