Asenapine
Description
Asenapine is an antipsychotic that is used for the treatment of Schizophrenia in adults, and other mood disorders in adults and children aged 10 years and above. Take this medicine at the same time regularly.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Asenapine
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness and Drowsiness
- Headache
- Fast or slow heartbeat
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Muscle pain
- Restlessness
- Weakness in arms, hands, legs or feet
- Weight gain
- Dry mouth
- Decreased or abnormal touch sensation
- Puffing of the cheeks
Uses of Asenapine
What is it prescribed for?
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar I disorder
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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 is not recommended during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of severe side effects such as dizziness, difficulty in concentration, impaired judgment, etc. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. 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 absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known allergy to asenapine, or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Severe liver impairment
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with severe liver impairment due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. 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 absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
QT Prolongation
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a known history of prolonged QT intervals due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Close monitoring of clinical condition, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Driving or Operating machinery
This medicine may cause drowsiness in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.
Suicidal tendency
This medicine may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts in some patients. Patients should be monitored closely for any changes in behavior or mood. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Use in children
This medicine is not recommended for use in children for the treatment of schizophrenia. To treat bipolar disorder, it is not recommended in children less than 10 years of age.
Weight gain
This medicine is likely to cause a gain in weight and hence periodic monitoring is required especially in patients who are obese.
Use in elderly population
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in the elderly population due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects.
Orthostatic hypotension
This medicine is likely to cause position based decrease in blood pressure especially during the start of therapy. It should be given very carefully to patients who have active disease of the heart and valves. Any condition leading to a decrease in blood pressure should be given consideration while deciding the dose.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
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 is not recommended during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of severe side effects such as dizziness, difficulty in concentration, impaired judgment, etc. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine.
Interaction with Medicine
Bupropion
Efavirenz
Codeine
Citalopram
Haloperidol
Clozapine
Amiodarone
Moxifloxacin
Disease interactions
Dementia
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with dementia-related psychosis due to the increased risk of heart failure, pneumonia, death, etc. This risk is especially high in elderly patients. Replacement with a suitable alternative should be considered under your doctor's supervision.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a known history of a neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of clinical condition, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Tardive Dyskinesia
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with tardive dyskinesia, a condition of involuntary repetitive body movements, since it may worsen the patient's condition. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Appropriate patient/caregiver education, close monitoring of the patient's condition, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Diabetes Mellitus
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with diabetes mellitus because it may alter the blood glucose levels in such patients. Close monitoring of blood glucose levels is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Seizures
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with seizure disorders or central nervous system abnormalities due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Hypotension
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with hypotension (low blood pressure) due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of blood pressure levels, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition. Patients should be advised to get up slowly from a sitting or a lying position to avoid fainting and falling.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take this medicine exactly advised by your doctor. Do not eat or drink for at least ten minutes after taking this medicine. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts than advised/prescribed. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects. Do not stop taking this medicine before completion of the course/without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by binding to the receptors and inhibits release of the chemical substances that cause psychotic symptoms.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Atypical antipsychotics
Schedule
Schedule H
Asenapine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 21 September 2018]. Available from:
Asenapine: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2018 [cited 21 September 2018]. Available from:
Asenapine maleate [Internet]. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 21 September 2018]. Available from:
DailyMed - Saphris - asenapine maleate tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 21 September 2018]. Available from:
Sycrest 10mg sublingual tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (eMC) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2019 [cited 23 January 2019]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 23 Jan 2019
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.