Nefazodone (Serzone) Drug for Depression: Use, Side Effects, Interactions

Nefazodone
(Serzone, United States and Canada; Nefadar, Sweden; Dutonin, United Kingdom)

Use:

Nefazodone or Serzone is used to treat depression.

How It Works:

Nefazodone or Serzone inhibits the reuptake of neuro chemicals such a serotonin and norepinephrine in the nervous system. With more of these circulating neuro chemicals, the nervous system is able to function better.

Side Effects:

Nefazodone or Serzone use is associated with headache, sleepiness, dry mouth, nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, and sometimes a drop in blood pressure when standing or sitting up quickly. Men taking Nefazodone or Serzone may experience problems with their sex life, however the problems are less common than with other anti depressant drugs. With time these side effects may wear off or become tolerable.

Cautions for People:

Several weeks of therapy are needed to see results with Nefazodone or Serzone.

Drug Interactions:

Nefazodone or Serzone can increase levels of terfenadine and astemizole which may lead to heart beat irregularities. Because Nefazodone or Serzone can delay the metabolism of triazolam and alprazolam, lower doses of these drugs may be required.
Nefazodone or Serzone should not be combined with another class of anti depressant drugs known as monoamine oxidaseinhibitors - MAOI. If a person is to be changed from one to the other there needs to be a "wash out" period - 14 days when stopping a MAOI; 7 days when stopping Nefazodone or Serzone.

Further Reading:

J Clin Psychiatry 1996;57(Suppl)
J Fam Pract 1995;41:591
Med Letter 1995;37:33

Added to Virtual Drugstore August 1996.

The relevant product monographs must be regarded as the appropriate sources of prescribing information.