$Unique_ID{BRK02010}
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$Title{MAPROTILINE}
$Subject{Ludiomil (Ciba)}
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Ludiomil 25*0201001.scf
Ludiomil 50*0201002.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


MAPROTILINE
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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.  It is,
therefore, important to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps.
Wear protective clothing, and use an effective sunscreen.
     If you experience dry mouth, it 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 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, 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.
     * 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, 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 the nursing infant.

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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.
