AMOXAPINE

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Asendin

GENERIC NAME(S): AMOXAPINE

 

Description: Amoxapine blocks the response of dopamine receptors to dopamine.

Amoxapine is used to treat depression by improving your mood and sense of well-being and enjoyment. It may also be used to treat anxiety disorders (e.g., panic disorder) and bipolar disorder. Your doctor may also use this medication to treat other conditions.

How to use

Take this medication by mouth with or without food. May be started at a low dose and slowly increased.  Do not discontinue using the drugs without informing your doctor.

People younger than 25 may, according to studies, experience worsening depression, other mental/mood symptoms, or suicidal thoughts/attempts when taking antidepressant drugs.  Consult your doctor for any symptoms you experience.

Common side effects include: Drowsiness, dizziness, difficulty urinating, dry mouth, constipation, headache, weakness, blurred vision, or changes in appetite/weight may occur as your body gets used to the medication.  Suck on (sugarless) hard candy or ice chips, chew (sugarless) gum, drink water or use a saliva substitute to relieve dry mouth.

Serious side effects, including: chest pain, jaw/left arm pain, slow/fast/irregular heartbeat, pain/redness/swelling of arms/legs, seizures, severe headache, weakness on one side of the body, eye pain/swelling/redness, vision changes (such as seeing rainbows around lights at night), slurred speech.

Rarely in females, this increase in prolactin may result in unwanted breast milk, missing/stopped periods, or difficulty becoming pregnant. For males, it may result in decreased sexual ability, inability to produce sperm, or enlarged breasts.

This drug may rarely cause the following conditions:

• tardive dyskinesia

• neuroleptic malignant syndrome

• serious blood problems (e.g., agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia) or liver problems.

Contact your doctor if you experience allergic reactions or symptoms mentioned above.

Precautions

See also the Warnings section.

Inform your doctor or pharmacist your allergies, medical history, especially of: blood problems (e.g., agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia), breathing problems (e.g., asthma, COPD), personal or family history of glaucoma (angle-closure type), intestinal problems (e.g., chronic constipation, ileus), heart problems (e.g., recent heart attack, arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, heart failure), kidney problems, liver problems, other mental/mood conditions (e.g., bipolar disorder, psychosis), family history of mental/mood conditions (e.g., bipolar disorder) or suicide, history of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, movement disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, tardive dyskinesia), overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), problems urinating (urinary retention, enlarged prostate), seizures, conditions that may increase your risk of seizures (e.g., electroshock therapy, stroke, alcohol withdrawal).

Avoid activities that require alertness as this drug can make you drowsy.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women must consult their doctor first before using this medication.

 

Interactions

Some products that may interact with this drug include: anticholinergics (e.g., atropine, belladonna alkaloids), certain drugs for high blood pressure (e.g., clonidine, guanethidine, reserpine), drugs for motion sickness (e.g., meclizine), psychiatric drugs (e.g., antipsychotics, antidepressants), thyroid supplements, MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine), isoniazid (INH), phenothiazines (e.g., thioridazine), theophylline, tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline) or tramadol, among others. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.

Overdose

Get emergency medical help when overdose is suspected.

Missed Dose: As soon as you remember, take a regular dose or if the time of the next does is near, wait for it before taking another dose and resume your usual schedule.  Do not increase the dose to compensate for the missed dose.

Storage: Store medication in room temperature.  Do not expose to light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from pets and children.  Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour into a drain.

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