Amoxapine: Drug Information

Generic Name: Amoxapine

Brand Name: Asendin, Demolox, oxamine

Amoxapine belongs to the family of dibenzoxazepines and is a tricyclic antidepressant. This medicine is used to treat depression and works by inhibiting the effect of any released non-adrenaline and serotonin in the central nervous system.

How to take the drug?

You must take the drug exactly as prescribed by your doctor. You can take the medicine with food in order to avoid the risk of stomach upset. Do NOT stop taking the medicine without your doctor’s approval as it may result in various unwanted withdrawal symptoms.

Warning and Precautions:

You need to notify your doctor if you have any previous history of cardiovascular disease, psychosis, epilepsy or alcoholism.

Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any medicines or foods.

If you are recovering from MI or surgery you need to notify your doctor prior to taking the medicine.

In case if liver impairment, glaucoma, enlarged prostrate, brain tumors, urinary retention, heart disease, hypotension, asthma, convulsions and thyroid disease, you need to notify your doctor.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are lactating.

Caution is advised when administering the medicine to the elderly.

DO NOT take Amoxapine with alcohol as it may aggravate drowsiness.

Drug Interactions:

You must tell your doctor if you have been on any medications in the past or are presently taking any prescription or non-prescription medications. Amoxapine reduces serum levels when taken with Barbiturates and if taken concomitantly with narcoleptics it inhibits metabolism.

Amoxapine increases the anticholinergic effects of Antiparkinsion medications and must not be co-administered with them. If taken with antihypertensives, it may result in marked hyperpyrexia or abnormally high fever which can be extremely fatal. Amoxapine should NOT be co-administered with mono amine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) as it may result in convulsions and even coma. If taken with sympathomimetics, it aggravates their hypertensive effects.

Side Effects:

Some of the most common side effects of Amoxapine include postural hypotension, tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, dryness of the mouth, fatigue, dizziness, tremors, blurred vision, constipation, headache, confusion, restlessness, vomiting, insomnia, heart palpitation, nightmares, delirium in the elderly and menstrual irregularities.

Drug Overdose: In case of a drug overdose of Amoxepine, it is recommended that you report to your medical practitioner immediately. You can also contact your local poison control center in case an emergency arises.