title: Trazodone in the elderly: risk of extrapyramidal acute events.
abstract: Trazodone is a second-generation atypical antidepressant exercising selective inhibitory action on the transport of serotonin. It also has an antagonist effect, similar to nefazodone, on the 5HT1 and 5HT2 receptors, probably due to the therapeutic effects of such substances. It is very effective in the treatment of depression, in anxiety and insomnia. Its known side effects mainly occur with prolonged use of daily doses of 150-200 mg. The ability to enhance drowsiness may be associated with some risk in elderly patients. This clinical case illustrates an acute extrapyramidal event induced by a low dose of trazodone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital de Braga, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Joana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sotto Mayor
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital de Braga, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana Paula
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Pacheco
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital de Braga, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Esperança
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital de Braga, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oliveira e Silva
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000009:adverse effects; D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014196:Trazodone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D014196:Trazodone