Raldesy Drug Information

is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. RALDESY is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults.

Recommended Dosage

The initial dosage of RALDESY for the treatment of MDD in adults is 150 mg daily, taken orally, in divided doses. The dosage should be initiated at a low-dose and increased gradually, depending on clinical response and an tolerance. 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 daily every 3 to 4 days.

The maximum recommended dosage for outpatients usually should not exceed 400 mg daily in divided doses. Inpatients (i.e., more severely depressed patients) may be given up to, but not in excess, of 600 mg daily in divided doses. Administer RALDESY orally after a meal or light snack.

Screen for Bipolar Disorder

Prior to Starting RALDESY Prior to initiating treatment with RALDESY or another antidepressant, screen patients for a personal or family history of bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania.

Switching to or from Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor Antidepressant At least 14 days

must elapse between discontinuation of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressant and initiation of RALDESY. In addition, at least 14 days must elapse after stopping RALDESY before starting an MAOI antidepressant.

Dosage Recommendations for

Concomitant Use with Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors or Inducers Coadministration with Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors Consider reducing RALDESY dose based on tolerability when RALDESY is coadministered with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor. Coadministration with Strong CYP3A4 Inducers Consider increasing RALDESY dose based on therapeutic response when RALDESY is coadministered with a strong CYP3A4 inducer.

Discontinuation of Treatment with

RALDESY Adverse reactions may occur upon discontinuation of RALDESY. Gradually reduce the dosage rather than stopping RALDESY abruptly whenever possible.

Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety of RALDESY for the treatment of MDD in adults is based on studies of trazodone hydrochloride tablets. Below is a display of adverse reactions of trazodone hydrochloride tablets from those studies.

Table 2: Common Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥ 2% of Trazodone hydrochloride Tablets -treated Patients and Greater than the Rate of Placebo-Treated Patients as Observed in Controlled Clinical Studies Inpatients Outpatients Trazodone hydrochloride N=142 Placebo N=95 Trazodone hydrochloride N=157 Placebo N=158 Allergic Skin Condition/Edema 3% 1% 7% 1% Autonomic Blurred Vision 6% 4% 15% 4% Constipation 7% 4% 8% 6% Dry Mouth 15% 8% 34% 20% Cardiovascular Hypertension 20% 1% 1% * Hypotension 7% 1% 4% 0 Syncope 3% 2% 5% 1% CNS Confusion 5% 0 6% 8% Decreased Concentration 3% 2% 1% 0 Disorientation 2% 0 * 0 Dizziness/Light-Headedness 20% 5% 28% 15% Drowsiness 24% 6% 41% 20% Fatigue 11% 4% 6% 3% Headache 10% 5% 20% 16% Nervousness 15% 11% 6% 8% Gastrointestinal Abdominal/Gastric Disorder 4% 4% 6% 4% Diarrhea 0 1% 5% 1% Nausea/Vomiting 10% 1% 13% 10% Musculoskeletal Aches/Pains 6% 3% 5% 3% Neurological Incoordination 5% 0 2% * Tremors 3% 1% 5% 4% Other Eyes Red/Tired/Itching 3% 0 0 0 Head Full-Heavy 3% 0 0 0 Malaise 3% 0 0 0 Nasal/Sinus Congestion 3% 0 6% 3% Weight Gain 1% 0 5% 2% Weight Loss * 3% 6% 3% Other adverse reactions occurring at an incidence of <2% with the use of trazodone hydrochloride in the controlled clinical studies: akathisia, allergic reaction, anemia, chest pain, delayed urine flow, early menses, flatulence, hallucinations/delusions, hematuria, hypersalivation, hypomania, impaired memory, impaired speech, impotence, increased appetite, increased libido, increased urinary frequency, missed periods, muscle twitches, numbness, paresthesia, retrograde ejaculation, shortness of breath, and tachycardia/palpitations. Occasional sinus bradycardia has occurred in long-term studies.

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of trazodone hydrochloride tablets. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure: Blood and lymphatic system disorders: hemolytic anemia, leukocytosis Cardiac disorders: cardiospasm, congestive heart failure, conduction block, orthostatic hypotension and syncope, palpitations, bradycardia, atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, arrhythmia, ventricular ectopic activity, including ventricular tachycardia and QT prolongation. Prolonged QT interval, torsade de pointes, and ventricular tachycardia have been reported at doses of 100 mg per day or less.

Endocrine disorders: inappropriate ADH syndrome Eye disorders: diplopia Gastrointestinal disorders: increased salivation, nausea/vomiting General disorders and administration site conditions: chills, edema, unexplained death, weakness Hepatobiliary disorders: cholestasis, jaundice, hyperbilirubinemia, liver enzyme alterations Investigations: increased amylase Metabolism and nutrition disorders: methemoglobinemia Nervous system disorders: aphasia, ataxia, cerebrovascular accident, extrapyramidal symptoms, grand mal seizures, paresthesia, tardive dyskinesia, vertigo Psychiatric disorders: abnormal dreams, agitation, anxiety, hallucinations, insomnia, paranoid reaction, psychosis, stupor Renal and urinary disorders: urinary incontinence, urinary retention Reproductive system and breast disorders: breast enlargement or engorgement, clitorism, lactation, priapism Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: apnea Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: alopecia, hirsutism, leukonychia, pruritus, psoriasis, rash, urticaria Vascular disorders: vasodilation

• Depressants: RALDESY may enhance effects of alcohol, barbiturates, or other CNS depressants.
• CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Consider RALDESY dose reduction based on tolerability.
• CYP3A4 Inducers: Increase in RALDESY dosage may be necessary.
• Digoxin or Phenytoin: Monitor for increased digoxin or phenytoin serum levels.
• Warfarin: Monitor for increased or decreased prothrombin time. Table 3 displays clinically significant drug Interactions with RALDESY.
• Table 3: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with RALDESY Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of MAOIs and serotonergic drugs including RALDESY increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
• Intervention: RALDESY is contraindicated in patients taking MAOIs, including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue.
• Other Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of serotonergic drugs, including RALDESY and other serotonergic drugs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.
• Intervention: Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome, particularly during RALDESY initiation. If serotonin syndrome occurs, consider discontinuation of RALDESY and/or concomitant serotonergic drugs.
• Antiplatelet Agents and Anticoagulants Clinical Impact: Serotonin release by platelets plays an important role in hemostasis. The concurrent use of an antiplatelet agent or anticoagulant with RALDESY may potentiate the risk of bleeding.
• Intervention: Inform patients of the increased risk of bleeding with the concomitant use of RALDESY and antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants. For patients taking warfarin, carefully monitor the international normalized ratio (INR) when initiating or discontinuing RALDESY.
• Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of RALDESY and strong CYP3A4 inhibitors increased the exposure of trazodone compared to the use of RALDESY alone.
• Intervention: If RALDESY is used with a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor, the risk of adverse reactions, including cardiac arrhythmias, may be increased and a lower dose of RALDESY should be considered.
• Strong CYP3A4 Inducers Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of RALDESY and strong CYP3A4 inducers decreased the exposure of trazodone compared to the use of RALDESY alone.
• Intervention: Patients should be closely monitored to see if there is a need for an increased dose of RALDESY when taking CYP3A4 inducers.
• Digoxin and Phenytoin Clinical Impact: Digoxin and phenytoin are narrow therapeutic index drugs. Concomitant use of RALDESY can increase digoxin or phenytoin concentrations.
• Intervention: Measure serum digoxin or phenytoin concentrations before initiating concomitant use of RALDESY. Continue monitoring and reduce digoxin or phenytoin dose as necessary.
• Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants Clinical Impact: RALDESY may enhance the response CNS depressants.
• Intervention: Patients should be counseled that RALDESY may enhance the response to alcohol, barbiturates, and other CNS depressants.
• QT Interval Prolongation Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of drugs that prolong the QT interval may add to the QT effects of RALDESY and increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmia.
• Intervention: Avoid the use of RALDESY in combination with other drugs known to prolong QTc .

is contraindicated in patients taking, or within 14 days of stopping, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue, because of an increased risk of serotonin syndrome. Concomitant use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or use within 14 days of stopping MAOIs.

Death from overdose has occurred in patients ingesting trazodone 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 overdose of trazodone 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 incidence or severity of any of the reported adverse reactions.

There is no specific antidote for trazodone hydrochloride overdose. Consider contacting the Poison Help line 1-888-222-1222 or a medical toxicologist for additional overdose management recommendations.