Amoxapine

What side effects are possible with this medication?

A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. It can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent, but does not occur in everyone. The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. If you develop any of these side effects (or any other side effects not listed here) or they change in intensity, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on managing them and on the risks and benefits of the medication.

anxiety blurred vision confusion constipation dizziness drowsiness dry mouth excitement fatigue feeling of weakness headache heart palpitation

heartburn increased appetite increased sweating insomnia nausea nervousness nightmares restlessness skin itching and rash swelling of the feet tremors trouble with coordination

Click here to learn about serious side effects that can potentially occur with any medication. These examples are provided for information purposes only and are not meant to be exhaustive. Always consult your doctor for sound medical advice specific to your particular medication and treatment.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone at 1-800-332-1088.

Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Alcohol: Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other CNS depressants (such as barbiturates), while taking amoxapine. If you are unsure about whether a certain medication can be taken together with amoxapine, please discuss this with your doctor.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Amoxapine may reduce mental or physical abilities required for performance of hazardous tasks, such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle. Avoid undertaking such activities unless you have determined that amoxapine does not affect you in this way.

Heart rhythm: Antidepressant medications such as amoxapine, particularly when taken in high doses, can cause abnormal heart rhythms. Therefore, amoxapine should be taken with caution if you have a history of heart disease.

Medical conditions: Amoxapine should be used with caution if you have a history of seizures, difficulty urinating, narrow-angle glaucoma, increased eye pressure, liver or kidney diseases, cardiovascular disease, asthma, enlarged prostate, diabetes, high blood pressure, or thyroid disease.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS): This syndrome, which can be fatal, has been reported in people taking medications such as amoxapine. If you develop symptoms such as rigid muscles, changes in mental status, unsteady pulse and blood pressure, fever, sweating and abnormal heart rhythms, this medication should be stopped and medical attention should be sought immediately.

Seizures: Amoxapine should be used with extreme caution by anyone with a history of seizures or conditions that lower the seizure threshold (such as alcoholism or withdrawal from alcohol).

Suicidal thoughts or actions: Antidepressant medicines, including amoxapine may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment. Depression and other serious mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts and actions. Some people may have a particularly high risk of having suicidal thoughts or actions. These include people who have (or have a family history of) bipolar illness (also called manic-depressive illness) or suicidal thoughts or actions.

Pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. This is very important when an antidepressant medication is started or when the dose is changed. Call your doctor right away to report new or sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings. Keep all follow-up visits with your doctor as scheduled. Call your doctor between visits as needed, especially if you have concerns about symptoms.

Call your doctor right away if you or your family member has any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you: thoughts about suicide or dying, attempts to commit suicide, new or worse depression, new or worse anxiety, feeling very agitated or restless, panic attacks, trouble sleeping (insomnia), new or worse irritability, acting aggressive, being angry, or violent, acting on dangerous impulses, an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania), or other unusual changes in behavior or mood.

Tardive dyskinesia (TD): TD, a syndrome consisting of potentially irreversible, involuntary, repetitive movements of the face and tongue muscles, has occurred in people who take amoxapine. Although TD appears most commonly in seniors, especially women, it is impossible to predict who will develop TD. The risk of developing TD increases with higher doses and long-term treatment. If signs and symptoms of TD develop during treatment with amoxapine, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Withdrawal: Stopping treatment with amoxapine after having taken it for a long period of time may produce nausea, headache, shakiness, and a general unwell feeling. These symptoms do not mean that you are addicted to the medication. Do not stop taking amoxapine suddenly without first talking with your doctor.

Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: This medication passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking amoxapine, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of this medication have not been established for children.

What other drugs could interact with this medication?

There may be an interaction between amoxapine and any of the following:

alcohol anti-arrhythmic drugs (e.g., flecainide, propafenone) anticholinergic medications (e.g., benztropine) antipsychotics (e.g., chlorpromazine) barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital) benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, alprazolam) carbamazepine cimetidine clonidine decongestants (e.g., pseudoephedrine)

guanethidine MAO inhibitors (e.g., selegiline, tranylcyoromine) other antidepressants phenothiazines phenytoin quinidine selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., sertraline, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine) sympathomimetics (e.g., methylphenidate) warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.