Serzone

Serzone - Nefazodone

Serzone is the brand name for the medication known as nefazodone. Serzone is an antidepressant medication that affects chemicals in the brain that nerves use to send messages to each other, called neurotransmitters. Since depression is believed to be caused by imbalances in these neurotransmitters, Serzone and its effect on these neurotransmitters has been proven to successfully treat most symptoms of depression. Serzone is chemically unrelated to the serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), or the monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. It is chemically related to another antidepressant, trazodone (Desyrel), and shares its actions. Compared with trazodone, Serzone has a lesser risk of priapism. (See side effects.) Serzone is taken orally in tablet form twice daily. Effects of the drug can take a few weeks to manifest. Tablets should be kept at room temperature, below 40°C (104°F).

Potential drug interactions can occur when taking Serzone and your doctor should be notified of any of the following drugs if you are taking them. Serzone should not be taken with terfenadine (Seldane) or astemizole (Hismanal) since blood concentrations of these two antihistamines can increase, and increases can cause potentially life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms. Serzone can markedly increase the blood concentrations of triazolam (Halcion) and alprazolam (Xanax), resulting in excessive sedation and impaired ability to perform tasks. It is recommended that people taking triazolam who need to be started on nefazodone should have their triazolam dose reduced by 75%. Similarly, those people taking alprazolam who need to start taking Serzone should have their alprazolam dose reduced by 50%. Serzone may increase the blood concentration of digoxin (Lanoxin), possibly leading to digoxin toxicity with side effects such as altered vision or nausea.

Side effects of Serzone are common but generally not serious. The most commonly noted side effects associated with Serzone are nausea, dizziness, insomnia, agitation, tiredness, dry mouth, constipation, lightheadedness, blurred vision, and confusion. Rarely, Serzone is associated with priapism or prolonged penile erection. Although the erection usually subsides eventually, occasionally blood clots form within the penis and cause serious damage to the penis.

Other, rare side effects that your doctor should be notified immediately of include Asthma; bleeding from the rectum; bloody or black, tarry stools; change in sexual desire or performance; chest pain; double vision; dryness of eye; ear pain; fainting; fast heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there); hives; increased sense of hearing; increased sensitivity to sun; irritation or soreness of mouth; joint or muscle pain or stiffness; kidney stones; large pupils of eyes; lower back, side, or stomach pain; menstrual changes; mood or mental changes; nerve pain or twitching; pelvic pain; problems in speaking; problems with urination; prolonged, painful, inappropriate penile erection; red or irritated eyes; sensitivity of eyes to light; swelling of face; swollen glands; talking, feeling, and acting with excitement and activity you cannot control; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual feeling of well-being; unusual tiredness or weakness; and the vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds.