PHARMACOKINETIC AND PHARMACODYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF A CONTROLLED-RELEASE FORMULATION OF TRAZODONE VERSUS THE CONVENTIONAL FORMULATION IN HEALTHY-VOLUNTEERS

The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of a controlled-release (CR) formulation of trazodone were evaluated in healthy subjects who received acutely 150 mg and 75 mg of the CR trazodone and equal amounts of the conventional formulation on separate occasions. Plasma trazodone concentrations were measured by HPLC. The pharmacokinetic profile of CR trazodone was characterized by a slower increase in drug plasma levels and a lower and retarded peak plasma concentration without any modification in the total amount of trazodone absorbed over 24 hrs. The side effects were less severe and less frequent than with the conventional formulation.