Amoxapine belongs to the family of mood-enhancing remedies. The antidepressant works comparatively quickly and can improve mental well-being for several hours.
What is amoxapine?
In the last few years, the group of tricyclic antidepressants has been used more and more to combat depression. These could inhibit existing complaints of a mental origin and also cause a loosening of the mood.
They also gave the patient a new drive. Amoxapine belongs to this genus. However, such preparations have a strong tendency to trigger side effects. Increasingly, these tricyclic antidepressants are now being avoided - amoxapine is therefore only rarely prescribed.
In panic attacks, depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder, it still has a certain importance. In some cases, the remedy is given in combination with other active ingredients. The amoxapine reaches its effect after about 90 minutes, depending on the constitution and state of health of the person concerned. This can last for up to eight hours. The substance is then excreted through the kidneys.
Pharmacological effect
A high level of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine is often recorded in people with mental illness. This messenger substance is mainly responsible for the transmission of stimuli through the nervous system to the brain.
Under this condition, people with a tendency to depress can perceive road traffic, the ringing of the phone, the actually not at all negative question from the boss as well as minor professional and private setbacks much more strongly than they are. This leads to a sensory overload. It is reduced by the amoxapine. The preparation prevents the neurotransmitter produced in the adrenal glands from being absorbed by the central nervous system.
In addition, the 5-HT2 receptors are occupied by the amoxapine. You are now no longer able to bind the serotonin and pass it on to the brain. This also goes hand in hand with a lower susceptibility to pain, cravings of any kind, hot flashes and increased brain activity. The mental condition of the patient improves within a short time. The concept itself has been helpful for years. Too many side effects are now being ascribed to it.
Medical application & use
The use of amoxapine is currently at least controversial. Its lightening effects on depression, bipolar disorder and states of anxiety and panic are known. It can also be used to suppress food cravings or an increased sex drive.
The drug is administered in doses of 200 to 300 milligrams per day. In addition, higher quantities can be used in stationary use. This is usually the case when the person also has a tendency to schizophrenia. However, the tricyclic antidepressants have largely lost their dominance among the remedies for combating depression. For this reason, it must be determined in each individual case, including all health factors, whether a prescription makes sense for amoxapine.
In addition to the side effects to be mentioned, this is primarily due to an increased production of cancer-causing cells in the organism. The preparation also has strong interactions with other medicinal substances and alcohol - this can lead to a falsified or even harmful effect.
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➔ Medicines against depressive moods & to lighten the moodRisks & side effects
When used, the amoxapine often has a slightly stimulating effect. It can increase blood pressure and cause temperature changes in the body. It is also involved in minor visual disturbances and dizziness.
In some cases, the latter lead to vomiting and other symptoms in the stomach and intestines. The aforementioned symptoms are mostly limited to a few days and should then normalize again. In long-term use, amoxapine also repeatedly helps to gain slight weight, which, however, does not reach an unhealthy level.
Depending on the mental state of the patient, an incorrect dose can easily increase anxiety or a feeling of trepidation and nervousness. A decision would have to be made here to reduce the amount prescribed. The same applies to prolonged disturbed sleep, which can be accompanied by nightmares.
