Drug Class: Antidepressant

Table of Contents

Overview

Serzone (nefazodone) is used to treat depression. It may reduce symptoms of depression, including feelings of guilt, sadness, or worthlessness, tiredness, loss of interest in daily activities, fluctuations in appetite, sleeping too much / insomnia, or thoughts of suicide. Nefazodone is usually used after other treatments have not worked, due to risk of liver disease while on this medication.

This information is for educational purposes only. Not every known side effect, adverse effect, or drug interaction is in this database. If you have questions about your medicines, talk to your health care provider.

It works by helping change certain chemicals in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine, which professionals refer to as “neurotransmitters.” It is not yet well-understood why changing these neurochemicals results in symptom relief for the conditions this drug is commonly prescribed for.

How to Take It

Follow the directions that your doctor has given you. This medicine can be taken with food to avoid stomach upset. It may take up to 4 weeks before this medicine reaches its full effect.

Side Effects

Side effects that may occur while taking this medicine include:

  • agitation
  • nausea
  • constipation
  • drowsiness
  • confusion
  • blurred vision
  • dry mouth
  • dizziness

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

  • prolonged, painful erections
  • fainting
  • an allergic reaction (e.g., hives, tightening of throat, breathing trouble, or swelling of your tongue, lips, or face)
  • yellow skin or eyes
  • severe nausea or stomach pain
  • prolonged loss of appetite
  • unusually dark urine

Warnings & Precautions

  • DO NOT stop taking this medicine abruptly.
  • DO NOT take this medicine if you have had manic episodes.
  • DO NOT drink alcohol with this medicine. Alcohol and other depressants can increase the side effects when taken with this medicine.
  • The elderly should use this medication with caution. They may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially bleeding, drowsiness, and dizziness.
  • DO NOT drive or perform other tasks requiring your full attention until you know how this medicine affects you.
  • This medicine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Rise slowly when sitting or lying down, to prevent this side effect and minimize the chance of falling.
  • Inform your doctor if you have loss of too much body water, liver disease, personal or family history of psychiatric disorder, intestinal ulcers/bleeding, personal or family history of suicide attempts, heart/blood vessel disease, seizures, or personal or family history of glaucoma (angle-closure type).
  • For an overdose, seek medical attention immediately. For non emergencies, contact your local or regional poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

Drug Interactions

Do not take Serzone / mafazodone if you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as carbamazepine (Tegretol, Tegretol XR, Epitol, Carbatrol), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate); triazolam (Halcion); terfenadine (Seldane, Seldane-D); astemizole (Hismanal); cisapride (Propulsid); or pimozide (Orap).

Dosage & Missed Dose

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. It can be taken with or without food.

The dosage of this medicine may be changed by your doctor to ensure the best results.

It may take several weeks of using nafazodone before symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed for best results.

Take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double doses or take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

Storage

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 (preferably not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.

Pregnancy/Nursing

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk to your doctor. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy unless the benefits clearly outweigh the risks to the fetus. It is unknown whether this medicine is excreted in breast milk. Talk to your doctor before you breastfeed.

More Information

For more information, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider, or you can visit this website, https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a695005.html for additional information from the manufacturer of this drug.