Amoxapine (By mouth)
a-MOX-a-peen
Treats depression. This medicine is a TCA.
Drug classes
Antidepressant (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Amoxapine is used to treat the symptoms of depression. It works on the central nervous system (CNS) to increase levels of certain chemicals in the brain. This medicine is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA).
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
You may take your medicine with food or milk to prevent nausea.
If you are taking amoxapine for depression, it may take up to 3 weeks before you start to feel better.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. If you take this medicine only at bedtime, do not take a missed dose in the morning without asking your doctor.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some medicines and foods can affect how amoxapine works. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
Bepridil, halofantrine, pimozide, procarbazine Antibiotics, blood thinners (such as warfarin), or medicine for heart rhythm problems or high blood pressureTell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not take it if you had an allergic reaction to amoxapine or to any other tricyclic antidepressant, or if you took an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have heart problems (including a recent heart attack), seizures, glaucoma, kidney disease, liver disease, asthma, overactive thyroid, or problems with urination.
For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine may increase mental or emotional problems. This may lead to thoughts of suicide and violence. Talk with your doctor right away if you have any thoughts or behavior changes that concern you. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has a history of bipolar disorder or suicide attempts.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to decrease your dose slowly before you stop it completely.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Change in how much or how often you urinate
Fast or pounding heartbeat
Fever, sweating, confusion, irregular heartbeat, muscle stiffness
Lightheadedness or fainting, shallow breathing
Problems with balance or walking
Seizures
Uncontrollable muscle movements or twitching
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Blurred vision
Trouble sleeping, or drowsiness
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Asendin
There may be other brand names for this medicine.
