Final answer:
The client should be made aware that drowsiness is a common side effect when prescribed trazodone ER 150 mg at bedtime, a medication used for depression and to aid in sleep. The correct answer is option D .
Step-by-step explanation:
The question seeks to identify which common side effect should be understood by a client who has been prescribed trazodone ER 150 mg at bedtime. Trazodone is primarily used to treat depression, and it is also at times prescribed to aid in sleeping due to its sedative properties. Among the numerous side effects associated with the use of antidepressants, including trazodone, drowsiness is particularly significant. Knowing this, it is imperative that patients are educated on the potential of feeling sleepy or drowsy upon taking the medication, especially since trazodone is taken at bedtime.
While Trazodone is beneficial in treating the symptoms of depression, it can also lead to side effects such as weight gain, fatigue, dizziness, loss of sexual desire, nausea, dry mouth, blurred vision, agitation, insomnia, and constipation. These effects might cause inconvenience but usually improve as the body adapts to the medicine. It's also important to note that in some cases, individuals may experience increased anxiety or difficulty concentrating during initial use.
A study published in the American Journal of Public Health (Moloney, Konrad, and Zimmer 2011) highlighted the increased prescriptions of sleep medications and addressed concerns regarding potential overtreatment with these drugs. Alternative treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy have often been recommended over medication for sleep issues.
Additionally, the treatment of narcolepsy using stimulant drugs in conjunction with antidepressants like Trazodone can show dramatic improvements in a person's condition. Trazodone, due to its side effect of inducing sleepiness, can be a part of such combined therapy.
In conclusion, when trazodone ER 150 mg is prescribed at bedtime, the client should be aware that drowsiness is a common side effect, which actually aligns with the medication's intent to encourage sleep in individuals with insomnia or depression.