title: [Trazodone--its multifunctional mechanism of action and clinical use].
abstract: Trazodone is an antidepressant of the serotonin (5-HT2) antagonist and reuptake inhibitor class, and has been considered to act as a multifunctional drug. It is generally approved for the treatment of major depression, its efficacy is well-documented in elderly patients, and it has been widely used for replacement of benzodiazepines or benzodiazepine-type sleeping drugs due to its anxiolytic efficacy and sleep normalizing effect in depression. Trazodone was further found to be clinically useful in generalized anxiety disorder, agitation of patients with dementia and organic disorders, chronic pain disorders, alcohol and benzodiazepine dependence. Tolerability of trazodone is comparable to the novel antidepressants. It is weight neutral and does not decrease sexual function. The introduction of trazodone to the Hungarian market may decrease the widespread use of benzodiazepines in antidepressive treatment.
authors.affiliation: Debreceni Egyetem Orvos- és Egészségtudományi Centrum, Pszichiátriai Tanszék, Debrecen, Hungary. efrecska@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ede
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Frecska
mesh_terms: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D014196:Trazodone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D014196:Trazodone