$Unique_ID{BRK03211} $Pretitle{} $Title{maprotiline} $Subject{Ludiomil Ciba Tetracyclic antidepressant maprotiline mental depression chemicals nerve transmission brain} $Volume{} $Log{ Ludiomil 25 mg*0321101.scf Ludiomil 50 mg*0321102.scf} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. maprotiline ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAME (Manufacturer) Ludiomil (Ciba) TYPE OF DRUG Tetracyclic antidepressant INGREDIENT maprotiline DOSAGE FORM Tablets (25 mg, 50 mg, and 75 mg) STORAGE Maprotiline tablets should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed container. USES Maprotiline is used to relieve the symptoms of mental depression. This medication is a tetracyclic antidepressant. It is related to a group of drugs referred to as the tricyclic antidepressants. These medicines are thought to relieve depression by increasing the concentration of certain chemicals necessary for nerve transmission in the brain. TREATMENT This medication should be taken exactly as your doctor prescribes. It can be taken with water or food to lessen the chance of stomach irritation, unless your doctor tells you to do otherwise. If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as possible, then return to your regular dosing schedule. However, if the dose you missed was a once-a-day bedtime dose, do not take that dose in the morning; check with your doctor instead. If the dose is taken in the morning, it may cause some unwanted side effects. Never double the dose. The effects of therapy with this medication may not become apparent for two or three weeks. SIDE EFFECTS Minor. Anxiety, blurred vision, confusion, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue, heartburn, insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea, peculiar tastes in the mouth, restlessness, sweating, vomiting, weakness, or weight gain or loss. As your body adjusts to the medication, these side effects should disappear. This medication can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps. Wear protective clothing, and use an effective sunscreen. Mouth dryness can be relieved by chewing sugarless gum or by sucking on ice chips or a piece of hard candy. To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise). To avoid dizziness or light-headedness when you stand, contract and relax the muscles of your legs for a few moments before rising. Do this by pushing one foot against the floor while raising the other foot slightly, alternating feet so that you are "pumping" your legs. Major. Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about agitation, chest pain, convulsions, cramps, difficulty in urinating, enlarged or painful breasts (in both sexes), fainting, fever, fluid retention, hair loss, hallucinations, headaches, impotence, mood changes, mouth sores, nervousness, nightmares, numbness in the fingers or toes, palpitations, ringing in the ears, seizures, skin rash, sleep disorders, sore throat, tremors, uncoordinated movements or balance problems, unusual bleeding or bruising, or yellowing of the eyes or skin. INTERACTIONS Maprotiline interacts with other types of medications: 1. Extreme drowsiness can occur when this medicine is taken with central nervous system depressants (such as alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, pain medications, phenothiazine tranquilizers, and sleeping medications) or with other antidepressants. 2. Maprotiline may decrease the effectiveness of antiseizure medications and may block the blood-pressure-lowering effects of clonidine and guanethidine. 3. Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) and estrogen-containing drugs can increase the side effects and reduce the effectiveness of tricyclic antidepressants and maprotiline. 4. Tetracyclic antidepressants may increase the side effects of thyroid medication and over-the-counter (nonprescription) allergy, cough, cold, asthma, sinus, and diet medications. 5. The concurrent use of tetracyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors should be avoided, because the combination may result in fever, convulsions, or high blood pressure. At least 14 days should separate the use of this drug and the use of an MAO inhibitor. Before starting to take maprotiline, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed above. WARNINGS * Tell your doctor if you have had unusual or allergic reactions to any medications, especially to maprotiline or any of the tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline, imipramine, doxepin, trimipramine, amoxapine, protriptyline, desipramine, and nortriptyline). * Tell your doctor if you have a history of alcoholism or if you have ever had asthma, high blood pressure, liver or kidney disease, heart disease, a heart attack, circulatory disease, stomach problems, intestinal problems, difficulty in urinating, enlarged prostate gland, epilepsy, glaucoma, thyroid disease, mental illness, or electroshock therapy. * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating potentially dangerous machinery. * Before having surgery or other medical or dental treatment, tell your doctor or dentist about this drug. * Do not stop taking this drug suddenly. Abruptly stopping it can cause nausea, headache, stomach upset, fatigue, or a worsening of your condition. Your doctor may want to reduce the dosage gradually. * The effects of this medication may last as long as seven days after you have stopped taking it, so continue to observe all precautions during that period. Be sure to tell your doctor if the effects continue past that time. * Elderly patients may be at increased risk of experiencing side effects of this medication. * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Problems in humans have not been reported; however, studies in animals have shown that this type of medication can cause side effects in the fetus if given to the mother in large doses during pregnancy. Also, be sure to tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. It is possible small amounts of this drug will pass into breast milk and cause unwanted side effects, such as irritability or sleeping problems, in the nursing infant. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.