Trazodone side effects profile

Nefazodone has a chemical structure related to trazodone and incorporates both 5-HT uptake properties plus 5-HT 2a receptor blockade (150, 151, 152 and 153). There is evidence from controlled trials that this agent is an effective antidepressant with a favorable side-effect profile. 

Other antidepressant drugs that primarily affect serotonin reuptake include trazodone [TRAZ oh done], fluvoxamine [floo VOX a meen], nefazodone [ne FAZ oh don], paroxetine [pah ROX a teen], sertraline [SIR trah leen], and venlafaxine [vin lah FACKS in]. These SSRIs differ from fluoxetine in their relative effects on the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. They do not seem to be more efficacious than fluoxetine, but their profiles of side effects are somewhat different. There is a high variability among patients in the rate of elimination of these drugs (including fluoxetine), and failure to tolerate one drug should not preclude a trial of another SSRI. 

The older trazodone (98), composed of a related heterobicyclic and the same piperazine side chain as in (97), showed a complex pharmacological profile. Tranquillizing as well as antihypertensive properties were found in animal experiments [263]. A selectivity towards uptake inhibition of 5-HT was noted [264]. In controlled studies it proved as effective as DMI in depressive symptoms, but it had a rapid anxiolytic effect, which was not obtained with DMI [265]. 

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