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- $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.
-