Amoxapine tablets

What are amoxapine tablets?

AMOXAPINE (Asendin®) is an antidepressant, a medicine that helps to lift mental depression. Generic amoxapine tablets are available.

What should my health care professional know before I take amoxapine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• an alcohol abuse problem

• asthma

• bipolar disorder

• blood disorders or disease

• breathing difficulties

• diabetes

• difficulty passing urine

• glaucoma

• having intramuscular injections

• heart disease

• liver disease

• over-active thyroid

• Parkinson's disease

• previous heart attack

• prostate trouble

• schizophrenia

• seizures (convulsions)

• stomach or intestinal disease

• an unusual or allergic reaction to amoxapine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take amoxapine tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking the tablets except on your prescriber's advice.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Elderly patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction to this medicine and need smaller doses.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is less than four hours to your next dose, take only that dose and skip the missed dose. If you only take a single dose at bedtime and forget, do not take it the next morning without checking with your prescriber or health care professional. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with amoxapine?

Amoxapine can interact with many other medicines. An interaction can be very important or fairly insignificant. Make sure your prescriber or health care professional knows about all other medicines you are taking; the most important are listed below:

• alcohol

• barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions)

• blood thinners

• cimetidine or ranitidine

• clonidine

• disulfiram

• erythromycin

• female hormones, including contraceptive or birth control pills

• labetalol

• linezolid

• medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems, such as diazepam or temazepam

• medicines for colds and breathing difficulties

• medicines for hay fever and other allergies

• medicines for high blood pressure

• medicines for mental depression

• medicines for mental problems and psychotic disturbances

• medicines for movement abnormalities as in Parkinson's disease, or for gastrointestinal problems

• medicines for over- or under-active thyroid

• seizure (convulsion) or epilepsy medicine

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking amoxapine?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You may have to take amoxapine for several weeks before you feel better. If you have been taking amoxapine for some time, do not suddenly stop taking it. Your prescriber or health care professional may want you to gradually reduce the dose; ask for advice.

You may get drowsy, dizzy or have blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how amoxapine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may increase dizziness or drowsiness; avoid alcoholic drinks.

Amoxapine can make your mouth dry. Chewing sugarless gum, sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water will help.

Amoxapine may make your skin more sensitive to sun or ultraviolet light. Keep out of the sun, or wear protective clothing outdoors and use a sunscreen (at least SPF15). Do not use sun lamps or sun tanning beds or booths.

Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, or allergies without asking your prescriber or health care professional for advice. Some ingredients may increase possible side effects.

If you are going to have surgery or will need an x-ray procedure that uses contrast agents, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking this medicine.

What side effects may I notice from taking amoxapine?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• difficulty breathing

• eye pain

• fainting spells

• fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)

• fever with increased sweating

• loss of bladder control, or problems passing urine

• muscle stiffness or problems with movement

• pale skin

• seizures (convulsions)

• skin rash or itching (hives)

• swelling or tenderness of breasts or testicles

• unusual and uncontrollable tongue and chewing movements, smacking lips or puffing cheeks

• uncontrollable muscle spasms in the face, hands, arms, or legs

• yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• blurred vision

• confusion or nervousness

• constipation or diarrhea

• drowsiness, dizziness or lightheadedness

• dry mouth

• headache

• increased appetite and weight gain

• increased sensitivity to sunlight

• nausea, vomiting

• sexual difficulties (decreased sexual ability or desire)

• trouble sleeping (insomnia)

• unusual tiredness or weakness

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.