amoxapine

Pronunciation: a MOX a peen

Amoxapine

slide 1 of 4, Amoxapine,

25 mg, round, white, imprinted with 5713, DAN 25

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Amoxapine

slide 2 of 4, Amoxapine,

50 mg, round, orange, imprinted with 5714, DAN 50

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Amoxapine

slide 3 of 4, Amoxapine,

100 mg, round, blue, imprinted with 5715, DAN 100

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Amoxapine

slide 4 of 4, Amoxapine,

150 mg, round, orange, imprinted with 5716, DAN 150

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What is the most important information I should know about amoxapine?

You should not use amoxapine if you have recently had a heart attack.

Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

What is amoxapine?

Amoxapine is a tricyclic antidepressant that is used to treat symptoms of depression, anxiety, or agitation.

Amoxapine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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

You should not use amoxapine if you are allergic to it, or if:

  • you have recently had a heart attack.

Do not use trimipramine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

Tell your doctor if you have used an "SSRI" antidepressant in the past 5 weeks, such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, or vilazodone.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • heart disease, stroke, or seizures;
  • kidney disease;
  • schizophrenia or other mental illness;
  • diabetes (amoxapine may raise or lower blood sugar);
  • bipolar disorder (manic depression);
  • if you are receiving electroshock treatment;
  • glaucoma; or
  • problems with urination.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Amoxapine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take amoxapine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

If you take this medicine once daily, take your dose at bedtime.

It may take up to 3 weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.

Do not stop using amoxapine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using trimipramine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of amoxapine can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include seizure (convulsions), acidosis, or coma.

What should I avoid while taking amoxapine?

Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

What are the possible side effects of amoxapine?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • skin rash, fever;
  • uncontrolled muscle movements in your face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement);
  • pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
  • chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder;
  • sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), slurred speech, problems with vision or balance; or
  • severe nervous system reaction --very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.

Common side effects may include:

  • drowsiness;
  • constipation;
  • dry mouth; or
  • blurred vision.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect amoxapine?

Using amoxapine with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Many drugs can affect amoxapine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about amoxapine.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.