In clinical investigations, a tiny proportion of youngsters, teenagers, and young adults (up to 24 years old) who took antidepressants (sometimes known as “mood lifters”) like amoxapine developed suicidal thoughts (thinking about harming or killing oneself or planning or trying to do so). Children, teenagers, and young adults who take antidepressants to treat depression or other mental diseases may have a higher risk of committing suicide than those who do not take these medications. However, experts disagree on how significant this risk is and how much it has to be taken into account when determining whether or not a kid or adolescent should take an antidepressant. Amoxapine is typically not recommended for use in people under the age of 18, however in some circumstances, a doctor may determine that it is the best treatment option for a child’s illness.

Even if you are an adult above the age of 24, you should be aware that taking amoxapine or other antidepressants may cause your mental health to change in unexpected ways. Suicidal thoughts may come to mind, especially at the start of treatment and whenever your dose is changed. Any of the following symptoms should prompt you, your family, or your caregiver to call your doctor immediately away: Depression that is either new or getting worse, thoughts of self-harm or suicide, plans or attempts to do so, excessive worry, agitation, panic attacks, trouble falling or staying asleep, aggressive behaviour, irritability, acting without thinking, extreme restlessness, and frenzied abnormal excitement. When you are unable to seek treatment on your own, make sure your family or caregiver knows which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor.

While you are taking amoxapine, your doctor will want to visit you frequently, especially at the start of your treatment. Be sure to show up for all of your doctor’s appointment times.

When you start your amoxapine treatment, your doctor or pharmacist will give you the patient information sheet (Medication Guide) from the manufacturer. If you have any questions, carefully read the material and contact your doctor or pharmacist. The FDA website (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/UCM096273) also has the medication guide available.

No of your age, you, your parent, or your caregiver should discuss the advantages and disadvantages of treating your disease with an antidepressant or with alternative treatments with your doctor before starting an antidepressant. The dangers and advantages of not treating your ailment should also be discussed. You should be aware that your chance of committing suicide is significantly increased if you suffer from depression or any mental disorder. This risk is increased if you or a family member currently has, or previously had, bipolar disorder (depression followed by periods of extreme excitement) or mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood), or if you have ever considered or tried suicide. Discuss your ailment, symptoms, and personal and family medical history with your doctor. What kind of treatment is best for you will be decided by both you and your doctor.

Depression is treated with amoxapine. Amoxapine belongs to the class of drugs known as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). It functions by raising the levels of specific organic compounds in the brain that are essential for maintaining mental equilibrium.

Amoxapine is available as an oral tablet. Typically, it is taken once or more each day. Amoxapine should be taken at night if it is used once day. Try to take amoxapine every day at roughly the same time(s). Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Administer amoxapine precisely as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

You might not experience amoxapine’s full effects for a few weeks or longer. Even if you feel good, keep taking amoxapine. Without first seeing your doctor, do not discontinue taking amoxapine. Your dose will likely need to be reduced gradually, according to your doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking amoxapine,

• If you have any allergies, including to any inactive substances in amoxapine tablets, doxepin (Sinequan), other medicines, or food, tell your doctor and pharmacist right away. You can obtain a list of the inactive ingredients by asking your doctor or pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor if you are currently using an MAO inhibitor, such as tranylcypromine (Parnate), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl), or if you have stopped taking one within the last 14 days. Most likely, your doctor will advise against taking amoxapine. You should wait at least 14 days after stopping amoxapine before starting an MAO inhibitor.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any vitamins, nutritional supplements, herbal items, and prescription and over-the-counter medicines you are now taking or intend to take. Any of the following should be mentioned: drugs for high blood pressure, seizures, Parkinson’s disease, asthma, colds, or allergies; methylphenidate (Ritalin); muscle relaxants; propafenone (Rhythmol); quinidine; sedatives; and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Fluoxetine), and fluvoxamine Your doctor might need to adjust your medication doses or keep a closer eye out for any negative side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a heart attack, glaucoma (an eye disease), an enlarged prostate (a male reproductive organ), difficulty urinating, seizures, an overactive thyroid gland, liver, kidney, or heart disease. Also mention if you are receiving electroshock therapy (a procedure in which brief electric shocks are given to the brain to treat certain mental illnesses).
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor right away if you conceive while taking amoxapine.
• Inform the surgeon or dental surgeon that you are taking amoxapine if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.
• You should be aware that this medicine may cause you to feel sleepy. Prior to understanding how this drug affects you, avoid using machinery or driving a car.
• Keep in mind that drinking alcohol can increase the drowsiness brought on by this drug.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Amoxapine might have unwanted effects. If any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go away, contact your doctor right once:

• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Weakness or exhaustion
• Nightmares
• Mouth ache
• Skin that is more susceptible to the sun than usual
• Alterations in weight or appetite
• Constipation
• Having trouble urinating
• Often urinating
• Distorted vision
• Excessive perspiration

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you suffer any of the following symptoms or those detailed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section:

• Muscle rigidity
• Confusion
• Rapid or erratic heartbeat
• Slow or challenging speech
• Shuffled walking
• Uncontrollable trembling or movement of a bodily portion
• Fever
• Rash

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Amoxapine may result in additional adverse effects. If you have any strange side effects while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right once.

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose symptoms could include:

• Seizures
• Coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time)

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.