BACKGROUND: Trazodone is an atypical antidepressant with further therapeutic effects on anxiety and sleep disorders. OBJECTIVE: To review the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of trazodone in order to better understand the potential of adverse events related to drug interactions. METHODS: Electronic search of Medline and High Wire Press databases using the keywords: "trazodone", "adverse drug reaction", and "drug interaction". Additional references were obtained from pharmacology textbooks. RESULTS: A comprehensive data set on the pharmacological profile of trazodone was obtained. CONCLUSION: Trazodone is being increasedly prescribed no only to depressive and sleep disorders, but also in certain sexual dysfunctions. The risk of adverse events due to drug interactions is acceptable and manageable, rendering trazodone a useful tool in the treatment of psychiatric and related disorders.
Trazodone; pharmacology; drug interaction; adverse drug reaction; cytochrome P450
