Nefazodone

What it is used for

Nefazodone is a medicine used to treat depression. Nefazodone is thought to treat depression by correcting an imbalance in the amounts of certain natural chemicals, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, which are in your brain.

The most important thing to know

Rarely, people who take nefazodone can develop serious liver problems. If you get any of the following symptoms while taking nefazodone, call your doctor right away because you may be developing a liver problem:

• Yellowing of the skin or whites of eyes (jaundice)
• Unusually dark urine
• Loss of appetite that lasts several days or longer
• Nausea
• Abdominal (lower stomach) pain

People who currently have liver problems should not take nefazodone.

How to take it

• Take nefazodone at the same time every day exactly as prescribed by your doctor. You may take nefazodone with or without food.
• It may take a while for you to feel that nefazodone is working. You may not feel the full effect for several weeks. Once you feel better, it is important to keep taking nefazodone as directed by your doctor.
• If you miss a dose of nefazodone, skip that dose and continue with your regular schedule. Never take 2 doses at the same time.
• If you think that you have taken more nefazodone than prescribed, contact your doctor, local poison control center, or emergency room right away.

Side effects, and when to stop

The most common side effects of nefazodone are sleepiness, dry mouth, nausea, dizziness, constipation, weakness, lightheadedness, problems with vision, and confusion.

Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following side effects:

• Yellowing of the skin or whites of eyes (jaundice)
• Unusually dark urine
• Loss of appetite that lasts several days or longer
• Severe nausea
• Abdominal (lower stomach) pain
• Rash or hives
• Seizure (convulsion)
• Fainting
• Erection that lasts too long

Tell your doctor right away about any side effects that you have or discomfort that you experience. Do not change your dose or stop taking nefazodone without talking with your doctor first.

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not mentioned in patient information leaflets. Your doctor has prescribed nefazodone for you and you alone. Do not give nefazodone to other people even if they have the same condition. It may harm them.

This leaflet provides a summary of the most important information about nefazodone. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can ask for information about nefazodone that is written for healthcare professionals.

Brands listed are the trademarks of their registered owners.

Manufactured In Israel By: Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd. Kfar Saba, 4410202, Israel

Manufactured For: Teva Pharmaceuticals Parsippany, NJ 07054

Rev. C 10/2021

This Patient Information Leaflet has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Who should not take it

Do not take nefazodone if you

• are allergic to nefazodone or the related medicine Desyrel ® (trazodone).
• are taking Seldane ® (terfenadine), an antihistamine; Hismanal ® (astemizole), an antihistamine; Propulsid ® (cisapride), used for heartburn; Halcion ® (triazolam), used for insomnia; Orap ® (pimozide), used to treat Tourette’s syndrome; or Tegretol ® (carbamazepine), used to control seizures.
• currently have liver problems.
• are taking or have taken within the last 14 days one of the medicines for depression known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as Nardil ® or Parnate ®.

Be sure to tell your doctor if you

• have ever had liver problems;
• are taking any other medicine, vitamin supplement, or herbal remedy, including those sold without a prescription (over-the-counter);
• have heart problems or have had a heart attack or stroke;
• have had manic episodes (extreme agitation or excitability);
• have ever attempted suicide;
• have had convulsions (seizures);
• are pregnant or breast-feeding.

What to avoid

• Do not drive or operate possibly dangerous machinery (such as an automobile, power mower, or power tool) or participate in any hazardous activity that requires full mental alertness until you know how nefazodone affects you.
• Before taking nefazodone, tell your doctor about any medicines you are taking, including vitamin supplements, herbal remedies, and any non-prescription (over-the-counter) medicines. Some of these medicines may affect how nefazodone works and should not be used in combination without talking to your doctor.
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking nefazodone.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or become pregnant while taking nefazodone. It is not known whether nefazodone can harm your unborn baby.
• Talk with your doctor before taking nefazodone if you are breast-feeding. It is not known whether nefazodone can pass through your breast milk to the baby.