Nefazodone and Liver Damage: What Users Say

• Dit...
• June 30, 2021

For Depression "This drug works VERY well. It’s not an SSRI (SSRIs should be taken off the market!), and that’s why almost everyone does incredibly well on it. It completely changed my life for the better (like almost everyone else) back in 2002-2004, but I went off it (very slowly) believing the bogus hype about liver damage. I had zero liver problems. Lexapro, however, raised my liver enzymes and was an awful nightmare for me (and still is after 2.5 years of being off it). I’m sure Big Pharma has known Nefazodone is a threat to every other antidepressant on the market for some time now; hence the black box warning. It works too well for too many people with minimal side effects. It should be available to everyone as a first-line antidepressant—before all those nasty SSRIs that leave people with years of withdrawals (myself included). I feel for everyone right now who is unable to get Nefazodone. Shame on Teva for stranding you all. And shame on the FDA for many reasons."

• Dit...
• June 30, 2021

For Depression "This drug works VERY well. It’s not an SSRI (SSRIs should be taken off the market!), and that’s why almost everyone does incredibly well on it. It completely changed my life for the better (like almost everyone else) back in 2002-2004, but I went off it (very slowly) believing the bogus hype about liver damage. I had zero liver problems. Lexapro, however, raised my liver enzymes and was an awful nightmare for me (and still is after 2.5 years of being off it). I’m sure Big Pharma has known Nefazodone is a threat to every other antidepressant on the market for some time now; hence the black box warning. It works too well for too many people with minimal side effects. It should be available to everyone as a first-line antidepressant—before all those nasty SSRIs that leave people with years of withdrawals (myself included). I feel for everyone right now who is unable to get Nefazodone. Shame on Teva for stranding you all. And shame on the FDA for many reasons."

• Lau...
• March 16, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "I am 66 years old and have been on nefazodone for 30 years. I had tried many other medications before nefazodone that did not work, or the side effects were outweighing the purpose of the drug. My doctor prescribed nefazodone, and I have been right with the world since. It worked beautifully, with no liver issues and no side effects. Then the hammer dropped. The pharmacy called and told me nefazodone was no longer available. It felt like the rug got pulled out from under me. With the pandemic and isolating, this is not the time to discontinue this drug! I feel my quality of life will not be the same, and I am afraid of what the impending depression will do to me. I feel like it's a farewell to what I've known and loved these last 30 years. I am praying this is only temporary. Teva is the only company that makes this medication. For those who depend on this medication, write to them and plead with them to bring it back."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 18, 2021

For Depression "I was a young woman with little kids when I started experiencing severe panic attacks with agoraphobia. Missed out on a lot because of my condition, unable to go to their school functions, grocery shop, even drive a car, it took my life away. Finally, my doctor tried me on nefazodone along with Xanax, and it was a miracle to me. Had my liver checked, and it's functioning at top-notch, so the benefits far outweigh the possible negatives. I am 61 years old now."

• TNg...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 16, 2022

For Anxiety "I have been on Serzone/Nefazodone for 23 years. My psychiatrist had told me about it, that it could cause liver problems, but so could many other drugs and meds in the same class. Thought it got a bad rap from a few lawsuits. Advised labs yearly to have peace of mind. Never had any liver problems. This medicine saved my life. I had depression and daily panic attacks. Could hardly function. No life. I was at the point of giving up. So many medications did not work. I’m still amazed how well this medicine worked for me. I was told by my psychiatrist it was one of the best medications he has ever prescribed, and it was a shame that other doctors shy away from it. Hope this helps someone who is struggling, and I hope this medicine will help you like it did me."

• Hei...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2023

For Major Depressive Disorder "Nefazodone did nothing positive for me. On the contrary. At 300 mg (150 mg twice a day), I couldn’t even function and constantly fell asleep during the day. Bad nightmares, constipation, and disassociation started to appear. Two months after starting this medication, I now have liver issues (I never had problems with my liver). I was hopeful that nefazodone would be finally 'it' after trying around 30 different medications/treatments without any success. I decided that I’ll be steering clear of those medications from now on, as at this point, it not almost destroyed me and my health but my marriage is hanging on by a thread, as well as the relationship with my children. I caution everyone that is pondering taking any kind of mental health meds to think twice at this point."

• Rev...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 19, 2019

For Depression "I had some success with nefazodone for anxiety and depression, but it has caused liver problems. My liver panels are huge, and I have experienced jaundice after having a healthy liver all my life."

• Rev...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 19, 2019

For Depression "I had some success with nefazodone for anxiety and depression, but it has caused liver problems. My liver panels are huge, and I have experienced jaundice after having a healthy liver all my life."