Amoxapine Description

Generic Name: AMOXAPINE

Pronunciation: (a mox' a peen)

Trade Name(s): Demolox, Asendin

Why it is prescribed: Amoxapine, an antidepressant or mood elevator, is used to treat anxiety and depression.

When it is to be taken: Amoxapine must be taken on a regular schedule to be effective. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully. This drug must be taken for one or two weeks before its full effect is felt. Do not stop taking amoxapine without consulting your doctor. Your doctor may want you to decrease the amount of the drug gradually.

How it should be taken: Amoxapine comes in the form of tablets. Your prescription label tells you the exact amount to be taken at each dose.

Special Instruction: 1. Amoxapine makes some people drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you know hot it affects you.
2. If you miss a dose follow the instructions given below carefully. If you take several doses per day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if you remember a missed dose when it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, omit the missed dose entirely. If you take amoxapine once a day at bedtime and do not remember to take it until the next morning omit the missed dose. Do not take double dose to make up for a missed one.

Side Effects: 1. Dizziness, lightheadedness or faintness can be seen especially when getting up from a sitting or lying position. Get up slowly.
2. Dry mouth, drowsiness, difficulty sleeping, weakness, tiredness, agitation, nausea. These effects should decrease as you continue to take the drug. Contact your doctor if they persist or severe.
3. Blurred vision, irregular heartbeat, difficulty urinating, eye pain, hallucinations, shakiness, skin rash, itching, sore throat, fever and yellowing of eyes or skin.
4. Very high temperature, profuse sweating, change in mental state. Contact your doctor or go to a hospital immediately.

Other Precautions: 1. Alcoholic beverages can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
2. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should inform their doctors.
3. Before you take amoxapine, tell your doctor if you have had a bad reaction to loxapine or any tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, maprotiline, nortriptyline, protriptyline, or trimipramine).
4. Amoxapine can make some medical conditions worse. Tell your doctor your entire medical history. Tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking. Do not take any medication without consulting your doctor.
5. Before you have emergency treatment or surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist in charge that your are taking amoxapine.

Storage Conditions: Keep this medication in a tightly closed container and out of reach of children.