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Type of Medication: Antidepressant

Nefazodone (Serzone, Dutonin), a structurally novel anti-depressant unrelated to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and other common medications.

Variants include Serzone, Dutonin.

Benefits of Nefazodone (Serzone) for Depression

Nefazodone is widely prescribed for the treatment of depression.

Side Effects of Nefazodone (Serzone)

Please note that the following side effects include only some of the most common and somewhat less common but do not include rarer side effects; the list is not exhaustive. Many people taking Nefazodone (Serzone, Dutonin) experience none of these side effects. Please consult a physician about any unusual symptoms.

Common

Some of the more common side effects of Nefazodone (Serzone, Dutonin) include:

• sleepiness
• dry mouth
• nausea
• dizziness
• constipation
• weakness
• lightheadedness
• problems with vision
• confusion

Less Common

Some of the less common side effects of Nefazodone (Serzone, Dutonin) include:

• liver dysfunction

Special Note on Serzone and Liver Function

The Serzone product insert (linked below) includes the following warning on page 6:

Cases of life-threatening hepatic failure have been reported in patients treated with SERZONE. The reported rate in the United States is about 1 case of liver failure resulting in death or transplant per 250,000 – 300,000 patient-years of SERZONE treatment. This represents a rate of about 3-4 times the estimated background rate of liver failure. This rate is an underestimate because of under reporting, and the true risk could be considerably greater than this.

In addition, the FDA provides a special warning about Serzone use and liver toxicity (PDF).

Nefazodone (Serzone) and Alcohol

The manufacturer recommends against drinking alcohol while taking Nefazodone (Serzone, Dutonin).

Stopping Nefazodone (Serzone): Discontinuation Effects or Withdrawal Symptoms

No specific information was available from the sources consulted at the time of writing about discontinuation effects with Nefazodone (Serzone, Dutonin), but some of the symptoms which may be associated with stopping the related SSRIs include:

• dizziness
• vertigo/light-headedness
• nausea
• fatigue
• headache
• insomnia
• abdominal cramps
• chills
• increased dreaming
• agitation
• anxiety

Should You Buy Nefazodone (Serzone) Online?

Particularly in the United States, many individuals choose to purchase medications online, either for reasons of cost savings, privacy, or both. Both brand-name Serzone and so-called ‘generic Serzone’ (i.e., Nefazodone without the Serzone brand name) can sometimes be purchased at deep discounts (and sometimes without a prescription) in this way. Before undertaking any purchase of medications online, however — and certainly if you are contemplating doing so without a prior prescription — please consider the integrity of the supplier and the national and/or local laws which may apply where you live.

For more on the political and safety controversies about buying drugs online (including VIPPS, price-gouging, and more) see our separate site MedsDebate.com.

Information Sources and Disclaimer

The information provided here has been summarized in good faith purely for educational purposes. It is not intended in any way to replace the advice of a qualified medical professional. Please do not take any action on the basis of information contained here without consulting a physician. Unless otherwise specified, information is intended to apply only to adult use of the medication. Drug interaction precautions have not been included; please consult another source for this information.

All registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Information sources:

• United States FDA-approved Product Insert for Serzone (PDF)
• United States FDA-approved note on Serzone use and liver toxicity (PDF)
• Your Medicines — Any Questions?
• British National Formulary