home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- $Unique_ID{BRK03023}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{amoxapine}
- $Subject{Asendin Lederle Tricyclic antidepressant amoxapine mental depression
- chemicals nerve transmission brain}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{
- Asendin 50 mg*0302301.scf
- Asendin 100 mg*0302302.scf}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- amoxapine
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAME (Manufacturer)
-
- Asendin (Lederle)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Tricyclic antidepressant
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- amoxapine
-
- DOSAGE FORM
-
- Tablets (25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, and 150 mg)
-
- STORAGE
-
- This medication should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed
- container.
-
- USES
-
- Amoxapine is used to relieve the symptoms of mental depression. This
- medication belongs 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 with 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.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Constipation, cramps, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth,
- fatigue, heartburn, 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 may cause increased sensitivity to sunlight. Avoid
- prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps. Wear protective clothing, and
- use an effective sunscreen.
- Dry mouth can be relieved by chewing sugarless gum or by sucking on ice
- chips or hard candy.
- To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber (bran, salads,
- fresh vegetables and fruits, and whole-grain breads) in your diet, 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
- alternately pushing one foot against the floor while raising the other foot
- slightly, so that you are "pumping" your legs in a pedaling motion.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- agitation, anxiety, blurred vision, chest pains, confusion, convulsions,
- 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 yellowing of the eyes or skin.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Amoxapine interacts with a number of other types of drugs:
- 1. Extreme drowsiness can occur when this medicine is taken with central
- nervous system depressants, including alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates,
- benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, pain medications,
- phenothiazine tranquilizers, and sleeping medications, or with other
- antidepressants.
- 2. Amoxapine may decrease the effectiveness of antiseizure medications
- and may block the blood-pressure-lowering effects of clonidine and
- guanethidine.
- 3. Birth control pills or estrogen-containing drugs can increase the side
- effects and reduce the effectiveness of the tricyclic antidepressants
- (including amoxapine).
- 4. Cimetidine can decrease the elimination of amoxapine from the body,
- increasing the possibility of side effects.
- 5. Tricyclic antidepressants may increase the side effects of thyroid
- medication and over-the-counter (nonprescription) cough, cold, allergy,
- asthma, sinus, and diet medications.
- 6. The concurrent use of tricyclic 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 amoxapine and the use of an MAO inhibitor.
- 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
- medications, especially to amoxapine or any of the other tricyclic
- antidepressants (amitriptyline, imipramine, doxepin, trimipramine,
- protriptyline, desipramine, maprotiline, nortriptyline).
- * Tell your doctor if you have a history of alcoholism, or if you now
- have or 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 equipment.
- * Before having surgery or other medical or dental treatment, tell your
- doctor or dentist you are taking 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 you are pregnant. Studies have not been
- done in humans; however, studies in animals have shown that this type of
- medication can cause side effects to the fetus when large doses are given to
- the mother during pregnancy. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding
- an infant. Small amounts of this drug can pass into breast milk and may cause
- unwanted effects, such as irritability or sleeping problems, in nursing
- infants.
-
- ----------------
-
- 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.
-