Description: 

Trazodone hydrochloride, (abbreviated here as trazodone HCl), is an antidepressant chemically unrelated to tricyclic, tetracyclic, or other known antidepressant agents.   It is a triazolopyridine derivative designated as 2-(3-(4-(3-chlorophenyl)-1 - piperazinyl) propyl-1,2,4-triazolo(4,3-a)pyridi n-3 (2H)-one hydrochloride.  Trazodone HCl is a white odorless crystalline powder which is freely soluble in water.  Its molecular weight is 408.3.  The empirical formula is C₁₉H₂₂ClN₅O°HCl.

C₁₉H₂₂ClN₅O₂.HCl

Warnings:

TRAZODONE HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE OCCURRENCE OF PRIAPISM.  IN APPROXIMATELY 1/3 OF THE CASES REPORTED, SURGICAL INTERVENTION WAS REQUIRED AND, IN A PORTION OF THESE CASES, PERMANENT IMPAIRMENT OF ERECTILE FUNCTION OR IMPOTENCE RESULTED.  MALE PATIENTS WITH PROLONGED OR INAPPROPRIATE ERECTIONS SHOULD IMMEDIATELY DISCONTINUE THE DRUG AND CONSULT THEIR PHYSICIAN.

Caution should be used when administering trazodone HCl to patients with cardiac disease, and such patients should be closely monitored, since antidepressant drugs (including trazodone HCl) have been associated with the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias.  Recent clinical studies in patients with pre-existing cardiac disease indicate that trazodone HCl may be arrhythmogenic in some patients in that population.  Arrhythmias identified include isolated PVC's, ventricular couplets, and in two patients short episodes (3-4 beats) of ventricular tachycardia.