• Major depression.

Unlabeled Uses:

• Panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Contraindicated in:

• Hypersensitivity
• Concurrent MAO inhibitor therapy
• Active liver disease or baseline ↑ serum transaminases.

Use Cautiously in:

• May ↑ risk of suicide attempt/ideation especially during dose early treatment or dose adjustment
• History of suicide attempt or drug abuse
• Underlying cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease
• History of mania
• OB: Use during pregnancy only if potential maternal benefit justifies potential fetal risk
• Lactation: Use while breastfeeding only if potential maternal benefit justifies potential risk to infant
• Pedi: Safety and effectiveness not established in children; suicide risk may be greater in children and adolescents
• Geri: Initiate therapy at lower doses.

CV: bradycardia, hypotension.

Derm: rash.

EENT: abnormal vision, blurred vision, eye pain, tinnitus.

GI: constipation, dry mouth, nausea, gastroenteritis, HEPATOTOXICITY.

GU: erectile dysfunction.

Hemat: ↓ hematocrit.

Neuro: dizziness, insomnia, somnolence, agitation, confusion, SUICIDAL THOUGHTS, weakness.

Resp: dyspnea.

Drug-Drug:

• Serious, potentially fatal reactions may occur during concurrent use withMAO inhibitors(do not use concurrently or within 2 wk of MAO inhibitors; discontinue nefazodone at least 14 days before starting MAO inhibitor therapy).
• ↑ CNS depression with other CNS depressants including alcohol, antihistamines, opioid analgesics, and sedative/hypnotics.
• May ↑ levels and effects of alprazolam or triazolam.
• May ↑ serum digoxin levels.
• Additive hypotension may occur with antihypertensives, nitrates, or acute ingestion of alcohol.
• May ↑ risk of myopathy with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.
• ↓ antidepressant action with concomitant use of carbamazepine.
• May ↓ clearance of haloperidol, so haloperidol dose may need to be ↓.

Drug-Natural Products:

• ↑ risk of serotonin syndrome with St. John’s wort and SAMe.
• Kava-kava, valerian, or chamomile can ↑ CNS depression.

(Generic available)

• Tablets: 50 mg; 100 mg; 150 mg; 200 mg; 250 mg;

• PO (Adults): 100 mg twice daily initially; may ↑ weekly up to 600 mg/day in 2 divided doses.
• PO (Geriatric Patients): 50 mg twice daily initially; may ↑ weekly as tolerated.

Serzone

• Inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine by neurons.
• Antagonizes alpha₁-adrenergic receptors.

• Antidepressant action, which may develop only after several weeks.

Therapeutic Classification: antidepressants

Absorption: Well absorbed but undergoes extensive and variable first-pass hepatic metabolism (bioavailability about 20%).

Distribution: Widely distributed; enters the CNS.

Protein Binding: ≥99%.

Metabolism/Excretion: Extensively metabolized. One metabolite (hydroxynefazodone) has antidepressant activity.

Half-life: Nefazodone: 2–4 hr; hydroxynefazodone: 1.5–4 hr.

(antidepressant action)

• Instruct patient to take medication as directed. Several wk may be required to obtain a full antidepressant response. Once response is obtained, therapy should be continued for at least 6 mo. If a dose is missed, take as soon as possible unless almost time for next dose. Do not double doses.
• May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Caution patient to avoid driving or other activities requiring alertness until response to the drug is known.
• Advise patient to make position changes slowly to minimize orthostatic hypotension.
• Encourage patient and family to be alert for emergence of anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility, impulsivity, akathisia, hypomania, mania, worsening of depression and suicidal ideation, especially during early antidepressant therapy. Assess symptoms on a day-to-day basis as changes may be abrupt. If these symptoms occur, notify health care professional.
• Caution patient to avoid taking alcohol or other CNS depressant drugs during therapy and not to take other prescription, OTC medications, or herbal products without consulting health care professional.
• Advise patient to notify health care professional immediately if signs of liver dysfunction (jaundice, anorexia, GI complaints, malaise, dark urine) occur.
• Inform patient that frequent mouth rinses, good oral hygiene, and sugarless gum or candy may minimize dry mouth. If dry mouth persists for more than 2 wk, consult health care professional regarding use of saliva substitute.
• Instruct patient to notify health care professional of signs of allergy (rash, hives) or if agitation, blurred or other changes in vision, confusion, dizziness, unsteadiness, difficult or frequent urination, difficulty concentrating, or memory problems occur.
• Instruct females of reproductive potential to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding.
• Emphasize the importance of follow-up examinations to monitor progress.

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