Amoxapine

Amoxapine is a prescription medication used for the relief of symptoms of depression in patients with neurotic or reactive depressive disorders, as well as endogenous and psychotic depression.

• Amoxapine is available under the following different brand names: Asendin

Common side effects of amoxapine include:

• drowsiness
• dizziness
• difficulty urinating
• dry mouth
• constipation
• headache
• tired feeling
• weakness
• blurred vision
• changes in appetite/weight
• restlessness
• nervousness
• nausea 
• increased sweating
• sleep problems (insomnia and nightmares) as the body gets used to the medication

Serious side effects of Amoxapine include:

• muscle stiffness
• confusion
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• slow or difficult speech
• shuffling walk
• uncontrollable shaking or moving of a part of the body
• fever
• rash
• hives
• difficult breathing
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Rare side effects of Amoxapine include:

• none 

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, coordination loss, unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, light-headedness, or passing out

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and geriatric dosage

Tablet

• 25 mg
• 50 mg
• 100 mg
• 150 mg

Depression

Adult dosage

• Initiate at a low dose (25 mg every 8-12 h) and gradually titrate upward every 5-7 days up to 200-300 mg orally every night at bedtime.
• If the dose exceeds 300 mg/d, administer in divided doses every 12 h.
• Outpatient: Not to exceed 400 mg/d
• Inpatient: May require higher doses, up to 600 mg/d divided every 12 h

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

• See "Dosages"

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, healthcare provider, or pharmacist first.

• Amoxapine has severe interactions with the following drugs:
  • disopyramide
  • ibutilide
  • indapamide
  • iobenguane I 123
  • isocarboxazid
  • linezolid
  • pentamidine
  • phenelzine
  • pimozide
  • procainamide
  • procarbazine
  • quinidine
  • safinamide
  • selegiline
  • sotalol
  • tranylcypromine
  • ziprasidone
• Amoxapine has serious interactions with at least 134 other drugs.
• Amoxapine has moderate interactions with at least 342 other drugs.
• Amoxapine has minor interactions with at least 71 other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your healthcare professional or doctor for additional medical advice, health questions, or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity
• Severe cardiovascular d/o
• Uncorrected narrow-angle glaucoma
• Within 14 days of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (risk for serotonin syndrome); if linezolid or IV methylene blue (MAOIs) must be administered, discontinue the serotonergic drug immediately and monitor for CNS toxicity; may resume 24 hours after the last linezolid or methylene blue dose or after 2 weeks of monitoring, whichever comes first
• Any drugs or conditions that prolong QT interval
• Acute recovery post-MI

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Amoxapine?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Amoxapine?”

Cautions

• BPH, urinary/gastrointestinal retention, increased intraocular pressure, hyperthyroidism, open-angle glaucoma, seizure d/o, brain tumor, respiratory impairment, hyperthyroidism
• Clinical worsening and suicide ideation may occur despite medication in adolescents and young adults (18-24 years)
• Risk for anticholinergic side effects
• Possibility of tardive dyskinesia and NMS

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use with caution if the benefits outweigh the risks during pregnancy
• Lactation
  • Enters breast milk; use with caution