Trazodone generates m-CPP: in 2008 risks from m-CPP might outweigh benefits of trazodone

World J Biol Psychiatry. 2009;10(4 Pt 2):682-5. doi: 10.1080/15622970902836022.

Abstract

Since deleterious effects of m-CPP, the primary catabolic metabolite of trazodone, were last reviewed 2 years ago, research data continue to accrue showing that clinically significant levels of m-CPP (a) are generated in patients using trazodone for sleep and (b) are present 24 h a day and (c) have potentially serious ill effects. This commentary argues that the documented potential for harm and multiple risks of m-CPP outweigh potential benefits of trazodone, given the development and marketing of many safer alternatives since trazodone's introduction in the 1980s.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / adverse effects*
  • Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / pharmacokinetics
  • Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / therapeutic use
  • Anxiety / chemically induced
  • Anxiety / physiopathology
  • Biotransformation
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Panic / drug effects
  • Panic / physiology
  • Piperazines / adverse effects
  • Piperazines / blood*
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2B / drug effects
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2B / physiology
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C / drug effects
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C / physiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Serotonin Receptor Agonists / adverse effects
  • Serotonin Receptor Agonists / blood*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Trazodone / adverse effects*
  • Trazodone / pharmacokinetics
  • Trazodone / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation
  • Piperazines
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2B
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C
  • Serotonin Receptor Agonists
  • 1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine
  • Trazodone