Maprotiline

Maprotiline is a prescription medication used for the treatment of depression.

• Maprotiline is available under the following different brand names: Ludiomil

Common side effects of Maprotiline include:

• skin rash, 
• redness, 
• swelling, 
• itching

Serious side effects of Maprotiline include:

• constipation (severe)
• nausea or vomiting
• shakiness or trembling
• seizures (convulsions)
• unusual excitement
• weight loss

Rare side effects of Maprotiline include:

• breast enlargement—in males and females
• confusion (especially in the elderly)
• difficulty in urination
• fainting
• hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
• inappropriate secretion of milk—in females
• irregular heartbeat (pounding, racing, skipping)
• sore throat and fever
• swelling of testicles
• yellow eyes or skin

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, loss of coordination, feeling 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, lightheadedness, 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 dosage

Tablet

• 25 mg
• 50 mg
• 75 mg

Depression

Adult dosage

• Outpatient (Mild to Moderate Depression)
  • Initial 75 mg orally every day for 2 weeks
  • Increase by 25 mg increments to effective dosage; not to exceed 150 mg/day
  • Maintenance: Decrease dose to 75-150 mg orally every day once symptoms are controlled
  • Geriatric: 50-75 mg orally every day
• Inpatient (Severe Depression)
  • Initial 100-150 mg orally every day for 2 weeks
  • Increase cautiously to effective dosage; not to exceed 225 mg/day
  • Geriatric: 50-75 mg orally every day

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, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Maprotiline has severe interactions with the following drugs:
  • disopyramide
  • ibutilide
  • indapamide
  • iobenguane I 123
  • isocarboxazid
  • pentamidine
  • phenelzine
  • pimozide
  • procainamide
  • procarbazine
  • quinidine
  • safinamide
  • sotalol
  • tranylcypromine
• Maprotiline has serious interactions with at least 142 other drugs.
• Maprotiline has moderate interactions with at least 324 other drugs.
• Maprotiline has minor interactions with at least 70 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 your products. 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, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity
• Severe cardiovascular disorders
• Narrow angle glaucoma
• Within 14 days of MAO inhibitors may cause serotonin syndrome
• 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 Maprotiline?”

Long-Term Effects

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

Cautions

• Caution in BPH, urinary/GI retention, increased IOP, hyperthyroidism, open-angle glaucoma, seizure disorder, brain tumor, respiratory impairment
• Clinical worsening & suicide ideation may occur despite medication in adolescents & young adults (18-24 years)
• Risk of anticholinergic side-effects
  • May cause sedation (may impair physical and mental abilities), orthostatic hypotension, and anticholinergic effects

Pregnancy and Lactation

• May be acceptable during pregnancy
• Lactation
  • Avoid during breastfeeding