Amoxapine
Description
Amoxapine is used to treat the symptoms of depression. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor. Abrupt discontinuation of therapy may cause withdrawal symptoms.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Amoxapine
- Drowsiness
- Nightmares
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Headache
- Excessive sweating
- Fatigue
- Change in mood
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Constipation
Uses of Amoxapine
What is it prescribed for?
- Depression
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol with this medicine may alter the effects of Amoxapine and cause serious side effects such as extreme drowsiness, confusion, vomiting, sweating, blurred vision, muscle stiffness, and seizures.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to amoxapine or any dibenzoxazepine compounds.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO)
Amoxapine is not recommended for use in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) due to the increased risk of serious and life-threatening side effects. A time gap of at least 14 days should be maintained between stopping therapy with MAOIs and starting therapy with Amoxapine.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Suicidal tendencies
This medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of suicidal tendencies. This risk is especially higher in young patients. Patients should be closely monitored for any change in mood or behavior. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Renal and liver disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of renal or liver diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments should be done based on the clinical condition.
Urinary retention
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of urinary retention due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments should be done based on the clinical condition.
Acute myocardial infarction
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with myocardial infarction. Replacement with a suitable alternative should be considered based on the clinical condition.
Bone marrow suppression
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of bone marrow suppression due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of complete blood count is necessary for such patients. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Drowsiness
Amoxapine may cause drowsiness. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery during treatment with this medicine.
Other Medicines
Amoxapine may interact with many other medicines and may cause severe adverse effects. Hence, it is advised that you inform the doctor about all your current medicines including any herbs and supplements before beginning treatment with this medicine.
Medical Conditions
Amoxapine may cause worsening of the patient's condition if the patient is suffering from certain pre-existing medical conditions. Hence, it is advised that you inform the doctor about all your past and current medical conditions before beginning treatment with this medicine.
Missed Dose
If a dose of Amoxapine is missed, take the dose as soon as you remember it. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol with this medicine may alter the effects of Amoxapine and cause serious side effects such as extreme drowsiness, confusion, vomiting, sweating, blurred vision, muscle stiffness, and seizures.
Interaction with Medicine
Fluoxetine
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Indapamide
Disease interactions
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of neuroleptic malignant syndrome due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Tardive Dyskinesia
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of tardive dyskinesia due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Cardiovascular disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of cardiovascular diseases due to the increased risk of severe side effects. These side effects may include an increased heart rate, arrhythmias, heart block, and tachycardia. Close monitoring of heart function and vital signs is recommended for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Pheochromocytoma
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients suffering from pheochromocytoma due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of vital signs is recommended for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Seizure disorders
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of seizure disorder due to the increased risk of recurrent seizures. Appropriate dose adjustments should be done based on the clinical condition.
Diabetes
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with diabetes due to the increased risk of fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Close monitoring of blood glucose levels is recommended for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments may be required based on the clinical condition.
Mania
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of mania due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments should be done based on the clinical condition.
Glaucoma
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with glaucoma due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Suitable dose adjustments or an alternative medicine should be considered based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Amoxapine exactly as instructed by the doctor. Do not take larger or smaller amounts than prescribed. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of any severe side effects. Ensure that the course of treatment is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor. Abrupt discontinuation may cause withdrawal symptoms.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Amoxapine works by increasing the levels of norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain, natural substances which help in relieving the symptoms of depression.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Tricyclic antidepressants
Schedule
Schedule H
Amoxapine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 27 August 2017]. Available from:
Amoxapine: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 27 August 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 27 August 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - Amoxapine tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 27 August 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 7 Sep 2017
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.