Maprotiline

Pronunciation: ma-PROE-ti-leen
Generic Name: Maprotiline
Brand Name: Generic only. No brands available.

Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teenagers, and young adults. However, depression and certain other mental problems may also increase the risk of suicide. Talk with the patient's doctor to be sure that the benefits of using Maprotiline outweigh the risks.

Family and caregivers must closely watch patients who take Maprotiline. It is important to keep in close contact with the patient's doctor. Tell the doctor right away if the patient has symptoms like worsened depression, suicidal thoughts, or changes in behavior. Discuss any questions with the patient's doctor.

Maprotiline is used for:

Relieving depression and anxiety caused by depression. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Maprotiline is a tetracyclic antidepressant. It works by increasing the activity of certain chemicals in the brain (eg, norepinephrine, serotonin), which help improve mood.

Do NOT use Maprotiline if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Maprotiline


• you are have taking or have taken furazolidone, linezolid, methylene blue, or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days


• you are taking astemizole, terfenadine, droperidol, a fluoroquinolone (eg, ciprofloxacin), a ketolide (eg, telithromycin), a macrolide (eg, erythromycin), mibefradil, or pimozide


• you have a history of seizures or you have recently had a heart attack

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Video: Treatment for Depression

Treatments for depression are getting better everyday and there are things you can start doing right away.

Before using Maprotiline:

Some medical conditions may interact with Maprotiline. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have a history of mental illness (eg, bipolar disorder, mania, manic-depression), or have considered or attempted suicide


• if you have alcoholism or regularly consume 3 or more alcoholic beverages per day


• if you have glaucoma, an irregular heartbeat, heart disease, chest pain, liver disease, prostate problems, an overactive thyroid, increased pressure in the eye, or muscle problems, or you are unable to urinate (urinary retention)


• if you have porphyria or you have recently had surgery

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Maprotiline. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anticholinergics (eg, scopolamine), bupropion, cimetidine, azole antifungals (eg, fluconazole), linezolid, MAOIs (eg, phenelzine), methylene blue, phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine) because the risk of Maprotiline's side effects may be increased


• Astemizole, droperidol, fluoroquinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin), ketolides (eg, telithromycin), macrolides (eg, erythromycin ), mibefradil, pimozide, or terfenadine because the risk of serious side effects, such as seizures and irregular heartbeat, may be increased


• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital) or hydantoins (eg, phenytoin) because they may decrease Maprotiline's effectiveness


• Carbamazepine, stimulants (eg, albuterol, pseudoephedrine), or thyroid medicines (eg, levothyroxine) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Maprotiline


• Warfarin because the risk of side effects such as serious bleeding may be increased


• Clonidine, guanethidine, or guanfacine because their effectiveness may be decreased by Maprotiline

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Maprotiline may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Maprotiline:

Use Maprotiline as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Maprotiline comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Maprotiline refilled.


• Take Maprotiline by mouth with or without food.


• Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you use Maprotiline.


• Maprotiline may take up to 30 days to control symptoms of depression. Continue to use Maprotiline even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.


• If you miss a dose of Maprotiline, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Maprotiline.

Important safety information:

• Maprotiline may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Maprotiline with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Maprotiline; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.


• Maprotiline may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.


• Children, teenagers, and young adults who take Maprotiline may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions. Watch all patients who take Maprotiline closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.


• Some patients who take Maprotiline may develop muscle movements that they cannot control. This is more likely to happen in elderly patients, especially women. The chance that this will happen or that it will become permanent is greater in those who take Maprotiline in higher doses or for a long time. Muscle problems may also occur after short-term treatment with low doses. Tell your doctor at once if you have muscle problems with your arms; legs; or your tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (eg, tongue sticking out, puffing of cheeks, mouth puckering, chewing movements) while taking Maprotiline.


• Maprotiline may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Maprotiline. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.


• Do not become overheated in hot weather or while you are being active; heatstroke may occur.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Maprotiline before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Use caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially lightheadedness upon standing, rapid heartbeat, breathing problems, difficult urination, and constipation.


• Maprotiline should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Maprotiline while you are pregnant. Maprotiline is found in the breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Maprotiline, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Maprotiline:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Anxiety or nervousness; blurred vision; constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; nausea; tiredness; upset stomach; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); changes in sexual function; confusion; delusions; disorientation; fast or irregular heartbeat; fainting; fever; hallucinations; involuntary movements of tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (eg, protrusion of tongue, puffing of cheeks, puckering of mouth, chewing movements), sometimes accompanied by involuntary movements of the arms and legs; lightheadedness; ringing in the ears; seizures; severe or persistent nervousness or anxiety; sore throat; tremors; trouble sleeping; trouble urinating; unusual bleeding or bruising; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Maprotiline side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include agitation; confusion; drowsiness; dry mouth; enlarged pupils; fast or irregular heartbeat; flushing; hallucinations; loss of consciousness; seizures; stupor; trouble breathing; vomiting.

Proper storage of Maprotiline:

Store Maprotiline at room temperature, below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Maprotiline out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Maprotiline, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Maprotiline is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• Do not use Maprotiline for other health conditions.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• If your symptoms do not improve after taking Maprotiline for 4 weeks, inform your doctor.


• If using Maprotiline for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Maprotiline. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Maprotiline resources

• Maprotiline Side Effects (in more detail)
• Maprotiline Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Maprotiline Drug Interactions
• Maprotiline Support Group
• 2 Reviews for Maprotiline - Add your own review/rating

• Maprotiline Prescribing Information (FDA)


• maprotiline Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• maprotiline Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Ludiomil Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Maprotiline Hydrochloride Monograph (AHFS DI)

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