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Amoxapine (amoxapine)

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Amoxapine is a dibenzoxazepine-derivative tricyclic antidepressant.

Amoxapine shares the pharmacologic actions of the other tricyclic antidepressants and is used in the treatment of neurotic and reactive depressive disorders, endogenous and psychotic depression, and mixed symptoms of depression and anxiety or agitation. Most studies comparing amoxapine with amitriptyline or imipramine have not demonstrated superiority of amoxapine over these other tricyclic antidepressants. Although amoxapine has been reported to have a slightly more rapid onset of action than either amitriptyline or imipramine in some studies, this finding has not been adequately established.

Generic name: amoxapine
Pronunciation: (a-MOX-a-peen)

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

Today’s intelligence on Amoxapine

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Amoxapine:

  • Anxiety With Depression
  • Depression

Also known as: Anxiety Associated With Depression, Depressed Mood, Depressive Disorder, Depressive Reaction, Depressive Syndrome, Mental Depression, Mixed Anxiety And Depressive Disorder.

Dosing

There is a wide range of amoxapine dosage requirements, and dosage of the drug must be carefully individualized.

Patients should be monitored for possible worsening of depression, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior, especially at the beginning of therapy or during periods of dosage adjustment. (See Cautions: Precautions and Contraindications, in the Tricyclic Antidepressants General Statement 28:16.04.28.)

The usual effective dosage of amoxapine is 200-300 mg daily. The usual initial dosage is 100-150 mg daily. Depending on tolerance and response, dosage may be increased to 200-300 mg daily by the end of the first week of therapy. An initial dosage of 300 mg daily may be given, but considerable sedation may occur in some patients during the first few days of therapy at this dosage level. If no response occurs after administration of 300 mg of amoxapine daily for at least 2 weeks, dosage may be increased to a maximum of 400 mg daily in outpatients. Hospitalized patients under close supervision may generally be given higher dosages than outpatients; dosage may be increased cautiously up to 600 mg daily in divided doses in hospitalized patients who have not responded adequately and do not have a history of seizures. Single doses should not exceed 300 mg.

Geriatric patients should usually be given lower than average dosages. Therapy usually should be initiated with 50-75 mg daily in these patients and may be increased to 100-150 mg daily by the end of the first week of therapy, if tolerated. Some geriatric patients may require further increases in dosage; however, dosage in geriatric patients should not exceed 300 mg daily.

Antidepressant effects usually occur within 2 weeks in most patients who respond to amoxapine therapy and may occur within 4-7 days.

After symptoms are controlled, dosage should be gradually reduced to the lowest level which will maintain relief of symptoms.

Drug interactions

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

Contraindications

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

Adverse reactions

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

Precautions

No enhanced messaging available.

ICD codes

No ICD codes are available for this drug.

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data