Maprotiline: Drug Informatiion

Drug Class: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, Antidepressant

Uses of Maprotiline:

Maprotiline is recommended for the treatment of various mental illnesses such as major depression, anxiety disorders and manic depressive illness. It belongs to the family of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and works by selectively inhibiting the reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin at the synaptic cleft. It helps elevate the mood and reduces anxiety ad tension associated with depression. It also helps combat aggressiveness, disorganized thought pattern and hyper excitability.

Dosage:

It is essential for you to take Maprotiline as prescribed by your physician at regular intervals daily. You must also not stop taking the medication abruptly without the consent of your doctor as it may worsen some of the symptoms of the disorder you are being treated for. The drug can be ingested with or without food.

Warning and Precautions:

Maprotiline should not be taken if you are hypersensitive to it or to any other drugs belonging to the class of SSRIs. This medicine should not be given to patients who have been taking other medications for the past two weeks such as antihistamines, anticoagulants, estrogens, fluoxetine, levodopa, lithium and mono amine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). It should also not be co-administered with sleeping pills, tranquilizers, thyroid medication, oral contraceptives, and medications for allergies, colds, asthma or Parkinsonism. This medicine is not recommended for patients who have been diagnosed with or have a history of cardiovascular disease, kidney or liver disorders, bran tumors, seizures, glaucoma, enlarged prostrate or psychosis.

Pregnant and nursing women must consult their doctor before taking Maprotiline. Close drug monitoring is required when giving this medicine to the elderly. Cigarette smoking may decrease the effectiveness of the drug, hence must be stopped when taking Maprotiline.

Side effects of Maprotiline:

Some of the most common side effects of the medication include drowsiness, fatigue, vomiting, dizziness, dry mouth, blurred vision, sexual dysfunction, excitability, anxiety, diarrhea, nightmares, increased, sensitivity to sunlight, insomnia, weight gain or weight loss, restlessness and changes in appetite.