Ludiomil

Generic Name: maprotiline
Other Brand Names: maprotiline

What is maprotiline?

Maprotiline is in a class of drugs called antidepressants. Maprotiline affects chemicals in your brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression.

Maprotiline is used to relieve symptoms of depression such as feelings of sadness, worthlessness, or guilt; loss of interest in daily activities; changes in appetite; tiredness; sleeping too much; insomnia; and thoughts of death or suicide.

Maprotiline may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking maprotiline?

Do not take maprotiline if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the last 14 days.

Before taking maprotiline, tell your doctor if you

  • have epilepsy or another seizure disorder;

  • have liver disease;

  • have kidney disease;

  • are receiving electroshock therapy;

  • have difficulty urinating or an enlarged prostate;

  • have glaucoma;

  • have high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, or heart disease; or

  • have had a heart attack in the last 6 weeks.

You may not be able to take maprotiline, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Maprotiline is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that maprotiline is not likely to harm an unborn baby. Do not take maprotiline without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

Maprotiline passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take maprotiline without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, unsteadiness, feeling uncoordinated, and low blood pressure. You may require a lower dose of this medication.

How should I take maprotiline?

Take maprotiline exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

It may be 4 weeks or more before you start to feel better, but do not stop taking maprotiline unless your doctor tells you it is all right to do so.

Store maprotiline at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose of maprotiline?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless your doctor directs otherwise.

Where can I get more information about maprotiline?
Your pharmacist has information about maprotiline written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of maprotiline?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking maprotiline and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:

  • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, face, or tongue; or hives);

  • seizures; or

  • a fast or irregular heartbeat.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take maprotiline and talk to your doctor if you experience

  • drowsiness,

  • headache,

  • nausea,

  • nervousness,

  • increase in weight or appetite,

  • dizziness,

  • dry mouth,

  • constipation, or

  • mild tremor (shaking).

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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

It may be 4 weeks or more before you start to feel better, but do not stop taking maprotiline unless your doctor tells you it is all right to do so.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Maprotiline may cause drowsiness and dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.

Dizziness is likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Stand up slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall.

Drink alcohol only with caution. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking maprotiline.

What should I avoid while taking maprotiline?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Maprotiline may cause drowsiness and dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.

Dizziness is likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Stand up slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall.

Drink alcohol only with caution. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking maprotiline.

What other drugs will affect maprotiline?

Do not take maprotiline if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the last 14 days.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking

  • a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), and others;

  • another antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft);

  • a barbiturate such as phenobarbital (Luminal), butabarbital (Butisol), amobarbital (Amytal), or secobarbital (Seconal);

  • an anxiety or sleep medicine such as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), temazepam (Restoril), and others;

  • a phenothiazine such as prochlorperazine (Compazine), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), mesoridazine (Serentil), fluphenazine (Prolixin, Permitil), and others;

  • a thyroid medicine such as levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid, others);

  • guanethidine (Ismelin);

  • cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB) or ranitidine (Zantac, Zantac 75); or

  • propafenone (Rythmol), quinidine (Cardioquin, others), or amiodarone (Cordarone).

You may not be able to take maprotiline, or you may require a change in dosage or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with maprotiline. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

What happens if I have an overdose of maprotiline?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a maprotiline overdose include a fast or irregular heartbeat, seizures, muscle stiffness, vomiting, fever, confusion, poor memory, dizziness, drowsiness, and large pupils.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008