Kanishk Deep Sharma, Tony Colangelo, Aaron Mills
BACKGROUND: Trazodone is prescribed off-label to treat insomnia, especially in older, not depressed adults. At low doses, it blocks histamine-1 (H1) receptors having a hypnotic effect. Unusual but potentially severe side effects of trazodone include suicidal behavior, excess sedation, QT prolongation, and priapism. Three case studies have been published in the last four decades describing trazodone-induced parkinsonism. CASE PRESENTATION: A 78-year-old Caucasian male with a past medical history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (on amiodarone), major depressive disorder, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypothyroidism, and obstructive sleep apnea, was prescribed trazodone for his chronic insomnia...
April 2022: International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics