Amoxapine (Amoxapine Tablets) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 24, 2012

Amoxapine

Antidepressants »

What are antidepressants and how do they work?

Antidepressants are a class of drugs that reduce symptoms of depressive disorders by correcting chemical imbalances of neurotransmitters in the brain. Chemical imbalances may be responsible for changes in mood and behavior.

Neurotransmitters are vital, as they are the communication link between nerve cells in the brain. Neurotransmitters reside within vesicles found in nerve cells, which are released by one nerve and taken up by other nerves. Neurotransmitters not taken up by other nerves are taken up by the same nerves that released them. This process is called "reuptake." The prevalent neurotransmitters in the brain specific to depression are serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine (also called noradrenaline).

In general, antidepressants work by inhibiting the reuptake of specific neurotransmitters, hence increasing their levels around the nerves within the brain, such...

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Amoxapine

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Amoxapine Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amoxapine (Amoxapine)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to amoxapine, or if you have recently had a heart attack.

Do not use amoxapine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take amoxapine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

Before taking amoxapine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

heart disease;
a history of heart attack, stroke, or seizures;
kidney disease;
schizophrenia or other mental illness;
diabetes (amoxapine may raise or lower blood sugar);
glaucoma; or
problems with urination.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use amoxapine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Tell your doctor if you have worsening symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.

Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

FDA Pregnancy Category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Amoxapine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medicine.

Do not give this medication to anyone under 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.

How should I take amoxapine (Amoxapine)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

It may take up to 3 weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 weeks of treatment.

Store amoxapine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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