$Unique_ID{BRK01824}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{AMOXAPINE}
$Subject{Asendin (Lederle)}
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Asendin 50*0182401.scf
Asendin 100*0182402.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


AMOXAPINE
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BRAND NAME (Manufacturer):
     Asendin (Lederle)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Tricyclic antidepressant
INGREDIENT:
     amoxapine
DOSAGE FORM:
     Tablets (25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, and 150 mg)
STORAGE:
     This medication should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed
       container.

USES

     Amoxapine is used to relieve the symptoms of mental depression.  This
medication belongs 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 with 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.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Constipation, cramps, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth,
fatigue, heartburn, 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 may cause increased sensitivity to sunlight.  You should,
therefore, avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps.  Wear protective
clothing, and use an effective sunscreen.
     Dry mouth can be relieved by chewing sugarless gum or by sucking on ice
chips or hard candy.
     To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber (bran, salads,
fresh vegetables and fruits, and whole-grain breads) in your diet, 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
alternately pushing one foot against the floor while raising the other foot
slightly, 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, anxiety, blurred vision, chest pains, confusion, convulsions,
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 yellowing of the eyes or skin.

INTERACTIONS

     Amoxapine interacts with a number of other types of drugs:
     1. Extreme drowsiness can occur when this medicine is taken with central
nervous system depressants, including alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates,
benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, pain medications,
phenothiazine tranquilizers, and sleeping medications, or with other
antidepressants.
     2. Amoxapine may decrease the effectiveness of antiseizure medications
and may block the blood-pressure-lowering effects of clonidine and
guanethidine.
     3. Birth control pills or estrogen-containing drugs can increase the side
effects and reduce the effectiveness of the tricyclic antidepressants
(including amoxapine).
     4. Cimetidine can decrease the elimination of amoxapine from the body,
increasing the possibility of side effects.
     5. Tricyclic antidepressants may increase the side effects of thyroid
medication and over-the-counter (nonprescription) cough, cold, allergy,
asthma, sinus, and diet medications.
     6. The concurrent use of tricyclic 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 amoxapine and the use of an MAO inhibitor.
     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
medications, especially to amoxapine or any of the other tricyclic
antidepressants (amitriptyline, imipramine, doxepin, trimipramine,
protriptyline, desipramine, maprotiline, nortriptyline).
     * Tell your doctor if you have a history of alcoholism, or if you now
have or 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 equipment.
     * Before having surgery or other medical or dental treatment, tell your
doctor or dentist you are taking 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 you are pregnant.  Studies have not been
done in humans; however, studies in animals have shown that this type of
medication can cause side effects to the fetus when large doses are given to
the mother 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 nursing
infants.

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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.
