Health
Serious side effects of metoprolol

- Discover the serious side effects of metoprolol.
- How does this medication work? What are its effects?
- Metoprolol belongs to the class of medications called beta-blockers. Metoprolol is used to treat high blood pressure and prevent symptoms of certain types of angina ( chest pain). It is also used to reduce the risk of death immediately after a heart attack. It works by reducing the needs of the heart during exercise.
- People who have had a heart attack take metoprolol to avoid having another heart attack. Metoprolol is often used in combination with other drugs that lower high blood pressure, such as diuretics (pills that increase urine output), when just one agent is not enough to control blood pressure.
- This medicine is available under various brand names or in different formulations, or both. A specific brand of this medication may not be available in all forms and may not have been approved for all of the conditions discussed here. Also, some forms of this medicine may not be used for all of the conditions mentioned in this article.
- Your doctor may have suggested this medication for a condition that is not listed in this Medication Information article. If you have not yet discussed this with your doctor, or if you are not sure why you are taking this medicine, consult your doctor. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor first.
- Do not give this medicine to anyone, even someone who has the same symptoms as yours. This medicine could harm people for whom it was not prescribed.
- What forms does this medication come in?
- Apo-Metoprolol
- 25 mg
- Each white, oval, scored tablet, engraved “ME” over “25” on one side and “APO” on the other, contains 25 mg of metoprolol tartrate. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silica dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose.
- 50 mg
- Each white, round, scored tablet, engraved “APO” over “M50”, contains 50 mg of metoprolol tartrate. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silica dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, lactose, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose.
- 100 mg
- Each white, round, scored tablet, debossed with “APO” over “M100”, contains 100 mg of metoprolol tartrate. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silica dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, lactose, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose.
- Apo-Metoprolol (Type L)
- 50 mg
- Each pink, capsule-shaped, coated tablet, scored on one side and engraved “50” on the other, contains 50 mg of metoprolol. Nonmedicinal ingredients: carnauba wax, colloidal silica dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, D&C aluminum lake red No. 30, sun yellow aluminum lake, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol 3350, and sodium dioxide. titanium.
- 100 mg
- Each blue, capsule-shaped, coated tablet, scored on one side and engraved “100” on the other, contains 100 mg of metoprolol. Nonmedicinal ingredients: carnauba wax, colloidal silica dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, indigotin aluminum lake (AD & C blue # 2), lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polydextrose, polyethylene glycol 3350, and titanium dioxide.
- How should this medication be used?
- The usual maintenance dose of metoprolol ranges from 100 mg to 200 mg per day, however, this dose may be increased to 400 mg per day as needed to achieve symptom control. Immediate-release tablets are taken in 2 divided doses while slow-release tablets are taken once a day.
- This medication should be taken soon after a meal, but try to take it at the same time every day.
- Several factors can be taken into account in determining the dose a person needs: their weight, their health, and whether they are taking other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose other than those listed here, do not change the way you are taking the medicine without consulting your doctor.
- This medicine must be taken exactly as your doctor has told you. If you miss a dose, take the medicine as soon as you notice the missed dose and resume treatment as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your usual dosing schedule. Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed dose. If you are unsure of what to do after missing a dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
- Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.
- Do not dispose of medicines in the wastewater (eg not in the sink or in the toilet bowl) or with the household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of unused or expired medicines.
- In which cases is this medication not recommended?
- Do not use this medicine under the following circumstances:
- a condition such as right ventricular failure caused by high blood pressure in the lungs;
- is allergic to metoprolol or any of the ingredients of the medication
- are allergic to other beta-blockers;
- anesthesia caused by an agent having a depressant effect on the myocardium (eg ether);
- a history of heart attack accompanied by:
- a heart rate of fewer than 45 beats per minute,
- severe heart block
- very low blood pressure
- moderate or severe heart failure.
- slow heartbeat caused by problems with the heart rhythm;
- severe heart block;
- cardiogenic shock;
- significant circulatory disorders;
- proven heart failure;
- the presence of asthma or other obstructive airway conditions (only when it comes to metoprolol in intravenous form);
- a disorder referred to as “sinus dysfunction syndrome”;
- have untreated pheochromocytoma (a tumor of the adrenal glands).
- What are the possible side effects of metoprolol
- Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a drug when taken in normal doses. It can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
- At least 1% of people taking this medicine reported the following side effects. Many of these side effects can be managed and a few may go away on their own over time.
- Consult your doctor if you experience these side effects and if they are serious or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to give you advice on what to do if these side effects appear:
- changes in libido or sexual ability;
- constipation;
- diarrhea;
- pain or discomfort in the abdomen;
- dizziness or light-headedness when changing from sitting or lying down to standin
- fatigue or unusual weakness brought on by activity;
- fatigue;
- headaches;
- nausea;
- hair loss;
- weight gain;
- dreams giving a powerful sensation;
- dry mouth;
- increased sensitivity of the skin to solar radiation;
- increased sweating;
- sleep disturbances;
- vomitings.
- Most of the side effects listed below do not happen very often, but they could cause serious problems if you do not see your doctor or receive medical attention.
- Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- slow heartbeat (especially less than 40 beats per minute);
- hearing changes;
- confusion;
- difficulty breathing or wheezing;
- back or joint pain;
- chest pain;
- hallucinations (the perception of phenomena that do not exist);
- tingling in the arms and legs.
- a feeling of coldness in the hands and feet;
- signs of depression (eg, lack of concentration, weight fluctuations, trouble sleeping, indifference to many activities, thoughts of suicide);
- signs of certain heart problems (e.g., increased or irregular heartbeat or pulse, chest pain, difficulty breathing, excessive fatigue, swelling of the feet, ankles, or part lower legs);
- signs of certain kidney problems (eg increased or reduced urine production, itching, nausea, vomiting, rash);
- signs of a bleeding disorder (e.g. unusual nosebleeds, bruising, blood in urine, cough with bloody sputum, bleeding gums, cuts that keep bleeding) ;
- signs of liver problems (eg, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools );
- a flare-up of psoriasis (eg, red spots the size of a pinhead on the skin; red, scaly, or crusty skin);
- a feeling of numbness or tingling in the extremities;
- symptoms of low blood pressure (eg, dizziness, fatigue);
- vision changes (eg blurred vision, dry eye, eye pain).
- Stop taking the drug and seek immediate medical attention if there is a response such as :
- coldness, discoloration, or pain in the fingers or toes;
- symptoms of a serious allergic reaction (such as swelling of the face or swelling of the throat, hives, or difficulty breathing).
- Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. See your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are using this medicine.
- Are there other precautions or warnings?
- Before using any medication, be sure to tell your doctor about any medical conditions or allergies you may have, the medications you are using, and any other important facts about your health. Women should mention if they are pregnant or breastfeeding. These factors could influence how you should use this medicine.
- Respiratory disorders: In general, people with asthma, and certain other lung problems, should generally avoid taking beta-blockers such as metoprolol, as they can cause breathing difficulties. If you have breathing problems, and your doctor has prescribed metoprolol for you, it is probably in lower doses, and they will monitor you regularly while you are using this medicine. If you have breathing problems, talk to your doctor about how this medicine may affect your condition, how your condition affects the administration and effectiveness of this medicine, and whether medical supervision is needed. specific.
- Severe allergies: If you have allergies severe enough to cause anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction in which swelling of the face, lips, and throat makes it very difficult to breathe), talk to your doctor about what to do next. take if you have an allergic reaction. the use of metoprolol may make it more difficult to treat severe allergic reactions with epinephrine.
- Stopping the drug: People with heart disease who suddenly stop taking this drug may experience chest pain, irregular heartbeat, or a heart attack. If you have heart disease, do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor first. When this medication is to be stopped, it should be done gradually, under the supervision of your doctor.
- Diabetes: The signs associated with low blood sugar may be more difficult to see while you are taking metoprolol. People with diabetes may have a harder time regulating their blood sugar levels when taking this medicine. If you have diabetes, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your condition, how your condition affects the administration and effectiveness of this medicine, and whether medical supervision is needed. specific. You will be kept under medical supervision while taking this medicine and your doctor may need to adjust your doses of diabetes medicine.
- Dizziness or syncope: Metoprolol may cause side effects, including dizziness or fainting, soon after starting treatment. Do not drive a vehicle or do other potentially dangerous tasks until you know how this medicine works for you.
- Hyperthyroidism (high level of thyroid hormones): Metoprolol may mask the symptoms of a person with hyperthyroidism (high level of thyroid hormones).
- If you have hyperthyroidism, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your condition, how your condition affects the administration and effectiveness of this medicine, and whether it is appropriate to have it. specific medical surveillance. Stopping the medication suddenly could make this condition worse.
- Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function can cause this drug to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver problems, talk to your doctor about how this medicine may affect your condition, how your condition affects the administration and effectiveness of this medicine, and whether medical supervision is needed. specific. Your doctor will monitor your liver function with regular blood tests while you are taking this medicine.
- If you notice symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain, or swelling and itching of the skin, contact your doctor immediately.
- Kidney function: Taking metoprolol may affect kidney function. Your doctor will take this into account in his monitoring and will adjust your dose as needed. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, talk to your doctor about how this medicine may affect your condition, how your condition affects the administration, and how well this medicine works. , and the relevance of specific medical surveillance. If you notice swelling in your hands, feet, or face, an increase in your blood pressure, unusual muscle cramps, or a dark appearance of your urine, this medicine may be interfering with the proper function of your blood. kidneys.
- If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
- Heart disease: Beta-blockers like metoprolol can worsen already present heart failure. It is essential to use metoprolol as prescribed by your doctor to reduce this risk. If you have a history of heart disease, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your condition, how your condition affects the administration and effectiveness of this medicine, and whether it is appropriate to use it. specific medical surveillance.
- Pheochromocytoma: This medicine may worsen the symptoms of pheochromocytoma (a tumor of the adrenal gland) if taken alone Talk to your doctor about how this medicine might affect your condition, how your condition affects your condition. administration and efficacy of this medicinal product, and the relevance of specific medical supervision.
- Surgery: If you are about to have surgery, tell all healthcare professionals who treat you that you are using metoprolol.
- Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If pregnancy occurs while you are using this medicine, contact your doctor immediately.
- Breast-feeding: This medicine passes into breast milk. If you use metoprolol while you are breastfeeding your baby may feel the effects. Check with your doctor to see if you should continue breastfeeding.
- Children: The safety and effectiveness of this medicine have not been established in children
- Seniors: Normal doses of metoprolol for adults may lower blood pressure more than expected. Lower doses may be necessary for the elderly.
- Can other agents interact with this medication?
- There may be an interaction between metoprolol and any of the following:
- abiraterone acetate;
- acetylcholine;
- anesthetic agents;
- alpha agonists (eg, clonidine, methyldopa);
- alcohol;
- aldesleukin;
- aliskiren;
- alpha1-blockers (eg doxazosin, prazosin, tamsulosin);
- amifostine;
- amiodarone;
- amphetamines (eg, dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine);
- serotonin antagonists (antiemetic drugs; eg dolasetron, granisetron, ondansetron);
- tricyclic antidepressants (eg amitriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, trimipramine);
- antihistamines (eg, cetirizine, doxylamine, diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine, loratadine, diphenhydramine);
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) eg. ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen);
- antimalarials (e.g. chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, mefloquine, quinine);
- antipsychotics (eg, chlorpromazine, clozapine, haloperidol, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone);
- asunaprevir;
- atomoxetine;
- other beta-blockers (eg, atenolol, pindolol, propranolol);
- azelastine;
- barbiturates (eg, butalbital, pentobarbital, phenobarbital);
- beta-agonists (anti-asthma medicines, eg salbutamol, salmeterol, formoterol);
- calcium channel blockers (eg, verapamil, diltiazem, nifedipine, amlodipine);
- angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) eg. irbesartan, losartan);
- bortezomib;
- brimonidine;
- buprenorphine;
- bupropion;
- celecoxib;
- ceritinib;
- milk thistle;
- cholecalciferol;
- cimetidine;
- cinacalcet;
- clobazam;
- clotrimazole;
- cobicistat;
- cocaine;
- cyproterone;
- darifenacin;
- delavirdine;
- rye ergot derivatives (eg bromocriptine, ergotamine, methylergonovine);
- nitro derivatives (eg nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate);
- dextromethorphan;
- digoxin;
- dipyridamole;
- disopyramide;
- disulfiram;
- diuretics (pills to remove water; eg furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide);
- donepezil;
- doxorubicin;
- dronedarone;
- entacapone;
- epinephrine;
- grass pollen allergen extract;
- fentanyl;
- fingolimod;
- flecainide;
- floctafenine;
- galantamine;
- ginger;
- ginseng;
- guanfacine;
- imatinib;
- phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (eg, sildenafil, tadalafil);
- proton pump inhibitors (eg, lansoprazole, omeprazole, rabeprazole);
- Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEIs) eg. captopril, ramipril);
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (eg fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline);
- selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors or SNRIs (eg, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, venlafaxine);
- insulin;
- isoniazid;
- ketoconazole;
- lacosamide;
- lanreotide;
- levodopa;
- lidocaine;
- lomustine;
- cholesterol “statin” drugs (eg pravastatin, simvastatin);
- methacholine;
- methadone;
- methimazole;
- methoxsalen;
- methylphenidate;
- metoclopramide;
- midodrine;
- mifepristone;
- mirabegron;
- moclobemide;
- nefazodone;
- nevirapine;
- nilotinib;
- noradrenaline;
- octreotide;
- orphenadrine;
- oxybutynin;
- pasireotide;
- pazopanib;
- peginterferon alfa-2b;
- pentoxifylline;
- sodium phenylbutyrate;
- pilocarpine;
- pimozide;
- praziquantel;
- propafenone;
- quinidine;
- quinine;
- ranitidine;
- regorafenib;
- rifabutin;
- rifampin;
- rituximab;
- rivastigmine;
- ropinirole;
- sulfonylureas (eg gliclazide, glyburide, tolbutamide);
- temsirolimus;
- terbinafine;
- theophyllines (eg aminophylline, oxtriphylline, theophylline);
- ticagrelor;
- ticlopidine;
- tizanidine;
- tofacitinib;
- tolcapone;
- tranylcypromine;
- yohimbine.
- If you are taking any of the above medicines, please tell your doctor or pharmacist. In your case, your doctor may ask you to:
- stop taking any of the medications;
- replace one of the drugs with another;
- change the way you take one or both of the medicines.
- do not change anything at all.
- Interference of one medicine with another does not always mean that you stop taking one of them. Ask your doctor what to do with drug interactions.
- Drugs other than those listed above may interact with this drug. Tell your doctor everything you take, whether it is prescription or over-the-counter drugs and herbal remedies. Do not forget to mention any supplements you take. If you consume caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, or street drugs, you should tell your prescribing doctor since these substances can affect the way many drugs work
Health
14 Benefits of Oolong tea and side effects Table of Contents
Health
7 Benefits of Epazote and side effects

Table of Contents
- Health Benefits of Epazote
- 1. Eliminate intestinal parasites
- 2. Benefits of epazote for immune system
- 3. Benefits of epazote for inflammation
- 4. Benefits of epazote for digestion
- 5. Benefits of epazote for blood pressure
- 6. Combat bacterial, viral, and fungal infections
- 7. Avoid osteoporosis
- Is epazote used to treat coronavirus?
- How to use epazote
- How to Make epazote tea
- Side effects of epazote
Discover the 7 shocking health benefits of Epazote and side effects.
Epazote, also known as paico or acahualillo, is a widely used medicinal plant, as its essential oils contain vermifuge, antibiotic, digestive properties, and strengthen the immune system.
This plant, whose scientific name is Chenopodium Ambrosioides, grows spontaneously in lands that surround the houses, it has elongated leaves of different sizes and dark green, its flowers are small and whitish.
Epazote can be bought in certain markets or health food stores, in its natural form, in dehydrated leaves, or essential oil.
Because it is considered a plant with a degree of toxicity, it should preferably be used under the guidance of a health professional, in addition to the use of tea from its leaves instead of essential oil, since it contains a higher concentration of potentially toxic substances.
Health Benefits of Epazote
Although epazote is a plant that is widely used in traditional medicine, it has few studies that confirm its properties in the body.
Despite this, several investigations have been carried out with this plant in animals, concluding that it has effects such as:
1. Eliminate intestinal parasites
This is one of the most popular uses of epazote and, according to some human studies, the use of this plant has a strong action against different intestinal parasites, such as worms and tapeworms.
This action seems to be related to the main active substance in epazote, ascaridol, which is similar in efficacy to some antiparasitic drugs, such as Albendazole.
2. Benefits of epazote for immune system
According to research carried out in animals, the use of epazote extract seems to be able to regulate the production of some cells important for the body’s defense, such as macrophages and lymphocytes, strengthening the immune system.
The mixture of epazote leaves with milk is popularly used to help in the treatment of respiratory diseases, such as bronchitis and tuberculosis, due to the union of the strengthening effects of the immune system and expectorants that these substances possess.
Another common use of epazote is in the relief of inflammation, mainly joint problems, such as osteoarthritis. Additionally, the plant also helps relieve pain from inflammation.
This analgesic action was observed in the use of the alcoholic extract of the plant, which seems to act on the NMDA receptors.
4. Benefits of epazote for digestion
Although there are no studies that prove the action of this plant on poor digestion, this is one of the popular uses in which it is used the most.
According to its use, epazote tea can be taken after large meals, to improve digestion, as it could be able to increase gastric juice production.
5. Benefits of epazote for blood pressure
In Morocco, epazote is frequently used to help treat high blood pressure and, according to studies in mice, this property is due to the stimulation of type 2 muscarinic receptors in the heart that slightly decrease the heart rate. , in addition to relaxing the heart muscle.
6. Combat bacterial, viral, and fungal infections
Both the use of epazote extract and essential oil has shown a powerful antimicrobial action that is capable of eliminating various types of bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
7. Avoid osteoporosis
In some investigations carried out in laboratory mice, the use of the hydroalcoholic extract of epazote was able to prevent the loss of bone density and can be applied to prevent the onset of osteoporosis, especially in women who are close to entering menopause.
Is epazote used to treat coronavirus?
A study carried out in 2020 by the Oswaldo Cruz Institute, confirmed the hypothesis that the flavonoids present in epazote may be able to prevent the replication of the new coronavirus, accelerating the recovery and cure of COVID-19.
However, the study was conducted on a computer model and has not been tested in a laboratory, nor living organisms.
For this reason, the dose necessary for treatment is not known, nor are the possible side effects.
For this reason, no health organ recommends the use of epazote as a treatment for COVID-19 until new studies are carried out.
How to use epazote
The most common way to take advantage of the properties of this plant is by infusing its leaves, preparing a tea:
Epazote tea: place a cup of the fresh plant with the seeds in boiling water and let it rest for 10 minutes. Afterward, strain and drink a cup up to 3 times a day.
In addition to infusion, another popular way to use epazote is an essential oil, however, its use must be guided by a naturopath, psychotherapist, or a health professional with experience in the use of medicinal plants.
How to Make epazote tea
Ingredients
8 large stems and leaves of fresh epazote
2 quarts boiling water
Procedure
- Add epazote to boiling water and let simmer for 2 minutes.
- ove from heat and let steep for another 3 minutes.
- Strain and serve.
Side effects of epazote include irritation of the skin and mucous membranes, headache, vomiting, nausea, palpitations, damage to the liver or kidneys, visual disturbances, and seizures, in case of doses higher than recommended or for a time. longer than 3 days in a row.
Is epazote abortifacient?
In high doses, the properties of epazote can act by altering the contractility of the body’s muscles; For this reason, it can have an abortive effect in certain people, not advising its use in pregnant women.
Contraindications
Epazote is contraindicated in pregnant women and children under 2 years of age.
This medicinal herb can be toxic, requiring a medical indication to establish the recommended dose
Health
Contraindications and side effects of Trazodone

Discover the Contraindications and side effects of Trazodone.
Trazodone is used in a wide variety of disorders, although it is an antidepressant.
Being depression one of the most prevalent mental disorders worldwide and one of the major causes of disability, its treatment is a matter that the scientific community has taken into account for many years.
The suffering it generates requires sometimes immediate attention since it is one of the disorders with the highest risk of suicide and that generates the most pain both for the person and for those around him.
The treatment of depression is carried out from different areas, one of them being psychopharmacology.
One of the drugs used in the treatment of depression is trazodone, which we are going to talk about in this article.
Trazodone: what type of substance is it?
Trazodone is a psychotropic drug classified within antidepressants, substances that generate a neurochemical change at the brain level, causing alterations in the levels of certain neurotransmitters, specifically serotonin.
Among antidepressants, it is part and is the main representative of the group of serotonin-2A antagonists and reuptake inhibitors or SARIs, a type of atypical antidepressant.
This drug was designed in Italy in 1966 under the assumption that depression could be based on the existence of low thresholds regarding the perception of pain and suffering, being the product of the lack of integration of aversive experiences.
Trazodone has proven to be an efficient and effective drug in the treatment of depression, reducing passivity and inactivity, as well as the discomfort and suffering associated with said ailment, and facilitating an increase in mood.
However, in addition to this, it also has an anxiolytic and tranquilizing action.
This substance is considered a second-generation antidepressant, along with specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), with which it shares part of its mechanism of action, and different dual antidepressants.
Trazodone is sometimes considered to be dual as it has two different effects, although they focus on the same neurotransmission system, compared to the rest, and in addition to an antidepressant effect, it also has calming effects.
How does it work? Mechanism of action of the drug
As we have indicated previously, trazodone is classified as SARI, having a somewhat special mechanism of action among the rest of antidepressants.
Trazodone acts at the serotonergic system level (like most antidepressants) in two specific ways.
In the first place, this substance produces a blockage of brain serotonin reuptake, in such a way that said neurotransmitter remains in the synaptic space for a longer time.
This supposes that it has an agonist effect on the synthesis and maintenance of serotonin at the brain level, it increases its levels (which are decreased during the depression and this is something that correlates with the decrease in the mood).
The aforementioned mechanism of action is the one used by SSRIs, which is why these and trazodone are related and sometimes the latter is included among the first.
However, trazodone has a second effect that differentiates it from other drugs, and that seems contrary to the previous mechanism of action.
And it is also that it acts as an antagonist of serotonin 5-HT2A receptors, preventing or hindering these receptors from being activated.
This second aspect is what makes trazodone have a slightly different profile and effects than other antidepressants.
Regarding its interaction with other neurotransmitter systems, it does not present great anticholinergic effects, something that has made this drug a better option than tricyclics (although the doses must also be regulated) in patients with cerebrovascular and cardiac pathology and dementias.
However, it must be taken into account that it can generate arrhythmias.
It also has a minor effect on the adrenergic (blocking some receptors) and histaminergic systems, something that can lead to the generation of side effects.
Main indications
The main indication for trazodone is obviously, as an antidepressant that it is, major depression. Its effectiveness is also high in those depressions that appear together with anxiety symptoms.
Its clinical utility has also been observed in other disorders in which there are components of anxiety or that are based on it, such as generalized anxiety disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or bulimia.
In addition to this, it has also been observed to be useful for the treatment of substance addictions, being a good alternative for patients with withdrawal syndrome to benzodiazepines, and in the treatment of alcoholism (including the presence of delirium tremens).
Another of its indications is insomnia, which is effectively reduced by increasing sleep time without greatly affecting the deep sleep phase.
Although in general, most antidepressants can have the presence of erectile dysfunction or ejaculation problems as a side effect, this effect does not usually occur in trazodone, which seems to generate an increase in libido and is even used as a treatment indicated in erectile dysfunction.
Finally, trazodone has been applied (largely for its relaxing properties) in some cases of schizophrenia, motor problems such as Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, the presence of manic episodes in bipolar disorder, and the behavioral disorders of Alzheimer’s. although a greater amount of study is required regarding the latter.
On a medical level, it has also been used as a sedative in HIV-infected patients and diabetic neuropathies, as well as in other disorders that cause pain such as fibromyalgia. It has a very slight effect at the level of muscle relaxant.
Side effects and contraindications
Trazodone is a very useful drug that has been used in multiple pathologies and disorders, both mental and medical.
However, it can have undesirable consequences in the form of side effects and is even contraindicated in some situations and pathologies.
Secondary symptoms, sedation, and fatigue, the presence of headaches, nausea, and vomiting, gastric disturbances (diarrhea or constipation), appetite disturbances, sweating, tremors (which may lead to seizures in some cases), are common. ringing, numbness, and vision problems.
In some cases, it can also cause chest and muscle pain, altered consciousness, breathing problems, and arrhythmias. Like other antidepressants, trazodone can also contribute to the genesis of suicidal ideation in the first moments of use.
Although, unlike other antidepressants, it does not seem to generate contributes to improving cases of erectile dysfunction or ejaculatory problems, the use of trazodone has been observed and associated with the appearance of priapism, erections that do not disappear on their own. alone and that cause pain to those who suffer from them (which may require urgent and even surgical treatment).
Although it is sometimes used in dementias and has a lower risk than tricyclics of generating heart problems, it requires a high degree of caution in its use and dosage carefully prescribed by the doctor, since it can generate arrhythmias.
It is contraindicated in patients who have just suffered a heart attack, as well as in those with liver or kidney disease.
Caution should be exercised in subjects with bipolarity because if the medication is not regulated, the consumption of trazodone can cause a shift from depressive to manic phase.
It is also contraindicated in people who have suffered from priapism or have Peyronie’s disease.
Finally, it must be taken into account that trazodone can be excreted in breast milk and transmitted through the placenta so that pregnant and lactating women have contraindicated its use.
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