Warnings for Raldesy
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
Precautions for Raldesy
Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors In Pediatric And Young Adult Patients
In pooled analyses of placebo-controlled trials of antidepressant drugs (SSRIs and other antidepressant classes) that included approximately 77,000 adult patients and over 4,500 pediatric patients, the incidence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in antidepressant-treated patients age 24 years and younger was greater than in placebo-treated patients. There was considerable variation in risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among drugs, but there was an increased risk identified in young patients for most drugs studied. There were differences in absolute risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors across the different indications, with the highest incidence in patients with MDD. The drug-placebo differences in the number of cases of suicidal thoughts and behaviors per 1,000 patients treated are provided in Table 1.
Table 1: Risk Differences of the Number of Cases of Suicidal Thoughts or Behaviors in the Pooled Placebo-Controlled Trials of Antidepressants in Pediatric and Adult Patients
| Age Range (years) |
Drug-Placebo Difference in Number of Patients of Suicidal Thoughts or Behaviors per 1,000 Patients Treated |
| Increases Compared to Placebo |
| <18 |
14 additional patients |
| 18-24 |
5 additional patients |
| Decreases Compared to Placebo |
| 25-64 |
1 fewer patient |
| ≥65 |
6 fewer patients |
It is unknown whether the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients extends to longer-term use, i.e., beyond four months. However, there is substantial evidence from placebo-controlled maintenance trials in adults with MDD that antidepressants delay the recurrence of depression and that depression itself is a risk factor for suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, especially during the initial few months of drug therapy and at times of dosage changes. Counsel family members or caregivers of patients to monitor for changes in behavior and to alert the healthcare provider. Consider changing the therapeutic regimen, including possibly discontinuing RALDESY, in patients whose depression is persistently worse, or who are experiencing emergent suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Serotonin Syndrome
SSRIs, including RALDESY, can precipitate serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition. The risk is increased with concomitant use of other serotonergic drugs (including triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, and St. John’s Wort) and with drugs that impair metabolism of serotonin, i.e., MAOIs [see CONTRAINDICATIONS, DRUG INTERACTIONS]. Serotonin syndrome can also occur when these drugs are used alone.
Serotonin syndrome signs and symptoms may include mental status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, delirium, and coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, dizziness, diaphoresis, flushing, hyperthermia), neuromuscular symptoms (e.g., tremor, rigidity, myoclonus, hyperreflexia, incoordination), seizures, and gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea).
The concomitant use of RALDESY with MAOIs is contraindicated. In addition, do not initiate RALDESY in a patient being treated with MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue. No reports involved the administration of methylene blue by other routes (such as oral tablets or local tissue injection). If it is necessary to initiate treatment with an MAOI such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue in a patient taking RALDESY, discontinue RALDESY before initiating treatment with the MAOI [see CONTRAINDICATIONS, DRUG INTERACTIONS].
Monitor all patients taking RALDESY for the emergence of serotonin syndrome. Discontinue treatment with RALDESY and any concomitant serotonergic agents immediately if the above symptoms occur, and initiate supportive symptomatic treatment. If concomitant use of RALDESY with other serotonergic drugs is clinically warranted, inform patients of the increased risk for serotonin syndrome and monitor for symptoms.
Cardiac Arrhythmias
Clinical studies indicate that trazodone hydrochloride may be arrhythmogenic in patients with preexisting cardiac disease. Arrhythmias identified include isolated PVCs, ventricular couplets, tachycardia with syncope, and torsade de pointes. Postmarketing reports, including torsade de pointes have been reported at doses of 100 mg or less with the immediate-release trazodone hydrochloride tablets. RALDESY should also be avoided in patients with a history of cardiac arrhythmias, as well as other circumstances that may increase the risk of the occurrence of torsade de pointes and/or sudden death, including symptomatic bradycardia, hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia, and the presence of congenital prolongation of the QT interval. RALDESY is not recommended for use during the initial recovery phase of myocardial infarction. Caution should be used when administering RALDESY to patients with cardiac disease and such patients should be closely monitored, since antidepressant drugs (including RALDESY ) may cause cardiac arrhythmias [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Trazodone hydrochloride prolongs the QT/QTc interval. The use of RALDESY should be avoided in patients with known QT prolongation or in combination with other drugs that are inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., itraconazole, clarithromycin, voriconazole), or known to prolong QT interval including Class 1A antiarrhythmics (e.g., quinidine, procainamide) or Class 3 antiarrhythmics (e.g., amiodarone, sotalol), certain antipsychotic medications (e.g., ziprasidone, chlorpromazine, thioridazine), and certain antibiotics (e.g., gatifloxacin). Concomitant administration of drugs may increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmia [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].
Orthostatic Hypotension And Syncope
Hypotension, including orthostatic hypotension and syncope has been reported in patients receiving trazodone hydrochloride. Concomitant use with an antihypertensive may require a reduction in the dose of the antihypertensive drug.
Increased Risk Of Bleeding
Drugs that interfere with serotonin reuptake inhibition, including RALDESY, increase the risk of bleeding events. Concomitant use of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), other antiplatelet drugs, warfarin, and other anticoagulants may add to this risk. Case reports and epidemiological studies (case-control and cohort design) have demonstrated an association between use of drugs that interfere with serotonin reuptake and the occurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding. Bleeding events related to drugs that interfere with serotonin reuptake have ranged from ecchymosis, hematoma, epistaxis, and petechiae to life-threatening hemorrhages.
Inform patients about the risk of bleeding associated with the concomitant use of RALDESY and antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants. For patients taking warfarin, carefully monitor coagulation indices when initiating, titrating, or discontinuing RALDESY.
Priapism
Cases of priapism (painful erections greater than 6 hours in duration) have been reported in males receiving trazodone hydrochloride tablets. Priapism, if not treated promptly, can result in irreversible damage to the erectile tissue. Males who have an erection lasting greater than 4 hours, whether painful or not, should immediately discontinue the drug and seek emergency medical attention [see ADVERSE REACTIONS, OVERDOSAGE].
RALDESY should be used with caution in males who have conditions that might predispose themto priapism (e.g., sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia), or in men with anatomical deformation of the penis (e.g., angulation, cavernosal fibrosis, or Peyronie’s disease).
Activation Of Mania Or Hypomania
In patients with bipolar disorder, treating a depressive episode with RALDESY or another antidepressant may precipitate a mixed/manic episode. Activation of mania/hypomania has been reported in a small proportion of patients with major affective disorder who were treated with antidepressants. Prior to initiating treatment with RALDESY, screen patients for any personal or family history of bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Discontinuation Syndrome
Adverse reactions after discontinuation of serotonergic antidepressants, particularly after abrupt discontinuation, include: nausea, sweating, dysphoric mood, irritability, agitation, dizziness, sensory disturbances (e.g., paresthesia, such as electric shock sensations),tremor, anxiety, confusion, headache, lethargy, emotional lability, insomnia, hypomania, tinnitus, and seizures. A gradual reduction in dosage rather than abrupt cessation is recommended whenever possible [See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Potential For Cognitive And Motor Impairment
RALDESY™ may cause somnolence or sedation and may impair the mental and/or physical ability required for the performance of potentially hazardous tasks. Patients should be cautioned about operating hazardous machinery, including automobiles, until they are reasonably certain that the drug treatment does not affect them adversely.
Angle-Closure Glaucoma
The pupillary dilation that occurs following use of many antidepressant drugs including RALDESY may trigger an angle closure attack in a patient with anatomically narrow angles who does not have a patent iridectomy. Avoid use of antidepressants, including RALDESY, in patients with untreated anatomically narrow angles.
Hyponatremia
Hyponatremia may occur as a result of treatment with SNRIs and SSRIs, including RALDESY. Cases with serum sodium lower than 110 mmol/L have been reported. Signs and symptoms of hyponatremia include headache, difficulty concentrating, memory impairment, confusion, weakness, and unsteadiness, which can lead to falls. Signs and symptoms associated with more severe and/or acute cases have included hallucination, syncope, seizure, coma, respiratory arrest, and death. In many cases, this hyponatremia appears to be the result of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH).
In patients with symptomatic hyponatremia, discontinue RALDESY and institute appropriate medical intervention. Elderly patients, patients taking diuretics, and those who are volume-depleted may be at greater risk of developing hyponatremia with SSRIs and SNRIs [see Use In Specific Populations].
Patient Counseling Information
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide and Instructions for Use).
Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors
Advise patients and caregivers to look for the emergence of suicidality, especially early during treatment and when the dosage is adjusted up or down and instruct them to report such symptoms to the healthcare provider [see BOX WARNING and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Dosage And Administration
Advise patients that RALDESY should be taken shortly after a meal or light snack. Advise patients regarding the importance of following dosage titration instructions [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ].
Serotonin Syndrome
Caution patients about the risk of serotonin syndrome, particularly with the concomitant use of RALDESY with other serotonergic drugs including triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, St. John’s Wort, and with drugs that impair metabolism of serotonin (in particular, MAOIs, both those intended to treat psychiatric disorders and also others, such as linezolid). Patients should contact their health care provider or report to the emergency room if they experience signs or symptoms of serotonin syndrome [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and DRUG INTERACTIONS].
Increased Risk Of Bleeding
Inform patients about the concomitant use of RALDESY with aspirin, NSAIDs, other antiplatelet drugs, warfarin, or other anticoagulants because the combined use of drugs that interfere with serotonin reuptake and these medications has been associated with an increased risk of bleeding. Advise them to inform their health care providers if they are taking or planning to take any prescription or over-the-counter medications that increase the risk of bleeding [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Activation Of Mania Or Hypomania
Advise patients and their caregivers to observe for signs of activation of mania/hypomania and instruct them to report such symptoms to the healthcare provider [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Discontinuation Syndrome
Advise patients not to abruptly discontinue RALDESY and to discuss any tapering regimen with their healthcare provider. Adverse reactions can occur when RALDESY is discontinued [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Concomitant Medications
Advise patients to inform their health care providers if they are taking, or plan to take any prescription or over-the-counter medications since there is a potential for interactions [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].
Pregnancy
Advise patients to notify their healthcare provider if they become pregnant or intend to become pregnant during therapy with RALDESY. Advise patients that there is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to RALDESY during pregnancy [see Use In Special Populations].
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
Carcinogenesis
No drug- or dose-related occurrence of carcinogenesis was evident in rats receiving trazodone in daily oral doses up to 7.3 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 400 mg/day in adults on a mg/m² basis.
Mutagenesis
No genotoxicity studies were conducted with trazodone.
Impairment Of Fertility
Trazodone has no effect on fertility in rats at doses up to 7.3 times the MRHD in adults on a mg/m² basis.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Exposure Registry
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy. Healthcare providers should encourage patients to enroll by calling the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants at 1-866-961- 2388 or visiting online at https://womensmentalhealth.org/ research/pregnancyregistry/antidepressants/.
Risk Summary
Published prospective cohort studies, case series, and case reports over several decades with trazodone hydrochloride tablets use in pregnant women have not identified any drug-associated risks of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes (see Data). There are risks associated with untreated depression in pregnancy (see Clinical Considerations).Trazodone hydrochloride has been shown to cause increased fetal resorption and other adverse effects on the fetus in the rat when given at dose levels approximately 7.3 to 11 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 400 mg/day in adults on a mg/m² basis. There was also an increase in congenital anomalies in the rabbit at approximately 7.3 to 22 times the MRHD on a mg/m² basis (see Data).
The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.
Clinical Considerations
Disease-Associated Maternal And/Or Embryofetal Risk
Women who discontinue antidepressants during pregnancy are more likely to experience a relapse of major depression than women who continue antidepressants. This finding is from a prospective, longitudinal study of 201 pregnant women with a history of major depressive disorder who were euthymic and taking antidepressants at the beginning of pregnancy. Consider the risk of untreated depression when discontinuing or changing treatment with antidepressant medication during pregnancy and postpartum.
Data
Human Data
While available studies cannot definitively establish the absence of risk, published data from prospective cohort studies, case series, and case reports over several decades have not identified an association with trazodone use during pregnancy and major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. All available studies have methodological limitations, including small sample size and inconsistent comparator groups.
Animal Data
No teratogenic effects were observed when trazodone was given to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis at oral doses up to 450 mg/kg/day. This dose is 11 and 22 times, in rats and rabbits, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 400 mg/day in adults on a mg/m² basis. Increased fetal resorption and other adverse effects on the fetus in rats at 7.3 to 11 times the MRHD and increase in congenital anomalies in rabbits at 7.3 to 22 times the MRHD on a mg/m² basis were observed. No further details on these studies are available.
Lactation
Risk Summary
Data from published literature report the transfer of trazodone into human milk. There are no data on the effect of trazodone on milk production. Limited data from postmarketing reports have not identified an association of adverse effects on the breastfed child. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for RALDESY and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from RALDESY or from the underlying maternal condition.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness of RALDESY in the pediatric patients have not been established.
Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric patients [see BOXED WARNING, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Geriatric Use
Reported clinical literature and experience with trazodone has not identified differences in responses between geriatric and younger patients. However, as experience with trazodone hydrochloride in geriatric patients is limited, RALDESY should be used with caution in these patients.
Serotonergic antidepressants have been associated with cases of clinically significant hyponatremia in elderly patients, who may be at greater risk for this adverse reaction [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Renal Impairment
Trazodone has not been studied in patients with renal impairment. RALDESY should be used with caution in this population.
Hepatic Impairment
Trazodone has not been studied in patients with hepatic impairment. RALDESY should be used with caution in this population.