Below are the general guidelines for dosing Trazodone. Note that these dosages may be adjusted on a case-by-case basis for individual patients. Always follow your prescribing physician’s instructions for taking trazodone.
The following information comes from the FDA Online Label Repository.
What if I miss a dose of Trazodone?
According to the Mayo Clinic, if you miss a dose of Trazodone, you should take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
What if I overdose on Trazodone?
Death from overdose has occurred in patients ingesting DESYREL and other CNS depressant drugs concurrently (alcohol; alcohol and chloral hydrate and diazepam; amobarbital; chlordiazepoxide; or meprobamate).
The most severe reactions reported to have occurred with an overdose of DESYREL alone have been priapism, respiratory arrest, seizures, and ECG changes, including QT prolongation. The reactions reported most frequently have been drowsiness and vomiting.
Overdosage may cause an increase in the incidence or severity of any of the reported adverse reactions.
There is no specific antidote for trazodone hydrochloride overdose. In managing overdosage, consider the possibility of multiple drug involvement. For current information on the management of poisoning or overdose, contact a poison control center (1-800-222-1222 or www.poison.org).
How is Trazodone administered?
Dose Selection
An initial dose of 150 mg/day in divided doses is suggested. Depending upon indication the initial dosage may be as low as 12.5 mg daily. The dosage should be initiated at a low dose and increased gradually, noting the clinical response and any evidence of intolerance. The occurrence of drowsiness may require the administration of a major portion of the daily dose at bedtime or a reduction of dosage.
The dose may be increased by 50 mg/day every 3 to 4 days. The maximum dose for outpatients usually should not exceed 400 mg/day in divided doses. Inpatients (i.e., more severely depressed patients) may be given up to but not in excess of 600 mg/day in divided doses.
Once an adequate response has been achieved, dosage may be gradually reduced, with subsequent adjustment depending on therapeutic response.
Important Administration Instructions
Trazodone can be swallowed whole or administered as a half tablet by breaking the tablet along the scoreline. It should also be taken shortly after a meal or light snack. Do NOT crush extended-released (ER) tablet.
How is Trazodone supplied?
- 50 mg: White, round, scored, film-coated tablet; bisected with “50” and “P 005” debossed on one side and plain on the other side.
- 100 mg: White, round, scored, film-coated tablet; bisected with “100” and “P 006” debossed on one side and plain on the other side.
- 150 mg: White, rectangular, scored tablet; trisected on both sides, debossed with “P” and “007” on one side and “50”, “50”, “50” on the other side, with a bisect on each edge.
- 300 mg: White, rectangular, scored tablet; trisected on one side debossed with “100”, “100”, “100” and bisected on the other side debossed with “P” and “008”.
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