Amoxapine

Generic name: Amoxapine
Brand names: Asendin
Dosage form: oral tablet (100 mg; 150 mg; 25 mg; 50 mg)
Drug class: Tricyclic antidepressants

Usage of Amoxapine

Amoxapine is a tricyclic antidepressant that is used to treat symptoms of depression, anxiety, or agitation.

Amoxapine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Amoxapine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Amoxapine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

skin rash, fever;

uncontrolled muscle movements in your face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement);

pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;

chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder;

sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), slurred speech, problems with vision or balance; or

severe nervous system reaction--very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.

Common side effects of amoxapine may include:

drowsiness;

constipation;

dry mouth; or

blurred vision.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Amoxapine

You should not use amoxapine if you are allergic to it, or if:

you have recently had a heart attack.

Do not use trimipramine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

Tell your doctor if you have used an "SSRI" antidepressant in the past 5 weeks, such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, or vilazodone.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

heart disease, stroke, or seizures;

kidney disease;

schizophrenia or other mental illness;

diabetes (amoxapine may raise or lower blood sugar);

bipolar disorder (manic depression);

if you are receiving electroshock treatment;

glaucoma; or

problems with urination.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Amoxapine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Relate drugs

How to use Amoxapine

Usual Adult Dose for Depression:

Initial dose: 50 mg orally 2 to 3 times a dayMaintenance dose: 100 mg orally 2 to 3 times a dayMaximum dose: 600 mg/dayComments:-Increases above 300 mg/day should be made only if 300 mg/day has been ineffective during at least two weeks.-Hospitalized patients who have been refractory to antidepressant treatment and who have no history of convulsive seizures may have dosage increased cautiously up to 600 mg/day in divided doses.-This drug may be given in a single daily dose, not to exceed 300 mg, preferably at bedtime.-Doses above 300 mg should be given in divided doses.Uses:-Relief of symptoms of depression in patients with neurotic or reactive depressive disorders as well as endogenous and psychotic depression-Depression accompanied by agitation or anxiety

Usual Geriatric Dose for Depression:

Initial dose: 25 mg orally 2 to 3 times a dayMaintenance dose: 50 mg orally 2 to 3 times a dayMaximum dose: 300 mg/dayComments:-Once an effective dosage is established, this drug may be administered in a single bedtime dose, not to exceed 300 mg.-Recommended maintenance dosage is the lowest dose that will maintain remission.-If symptoms reappear, the dosage should be increased to previous level until symptoms are under control.Use:-Relief of symptoms of depression in patients with neurotic or reactive depressive disorders as well as endogenous and psychotic depression-Depression accompanied by agitation or anxiety

Warnings

You should not use amoxapine if you have recently had a heart attack.

Do not use amoxapine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

What other drugs will affect Amoxapine

Using amoxapine with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Many drugs can affect amoxapine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

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