Precaution
Not intended for treatment of bipolar depression. Avoid abrupt withdrawal. Patient at risk of seizures, w/ DM, narrow angle glaucoma, urinary retention, prostatic hyperplasia, chronic constipation, history of CV disease. Renal and hepatic impairment. Elderly, childn. Pregnancy and lactation. Patient Counselling May impair ability to perform tasks requiring mental and physical alertness (e.g. driving or operating machinery). Monitoring Parameters Monitor BP and pulse rate prior to or during initial therapy, wt. Monitor for emergence of serotonin syndrome. Closely monitor for clinical worsening, suicidality and unusual changes in behaviour.
Lactation: Excreted in breast milk; do not nurse (AAP states effect on nursing infants is unknown but may be of concern)
Side Effect
Hypotension, HTN, tachycardia, palpitation, MI, arrhythmias, heart block, stroke; confusional states w/ hallucinations, disorientation, delusions; anxiety, restlessness, agitation; insomnia, panic, nightmares; hypomania; exacerbation of psychosis; suicidal ideation and behaviours; numbness, tingling, paraesthesia; incoordination, ataxia, tremors; peripheral neuropathy; extrapyramidal symptoms; seizures; tinnitus, dry mouth, blurred vision, accommodation disturbances, mydriasis; constipation, paralytic ileus; urinary retention, delayed micturition, dilation of the urinary tract.
Rash, itching, urticaria, photosensitisation; oedema (general or of face and tongue); bone-marrow depression including agranulocytosis, aplastic anaemia, eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia. Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, epigastric distress, diarrhoea, peculiar taste, stomatitis, abdominal cramps, malaise, jaundice, hepatitis and liver necrosis. Sweating, flushing, urinary frequency, nocturia, drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, headache, parotid swelling, alopecia.
Gynaecomastia, breast enlargement and galactorrhoea; increased or decreased libido, impotence, testicular swelling; elevation or reduction of blood sugar levels; inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone syndrome. Wt gain or loss, altered liver function. Rarely, associated sublingual adenitis or gingivitis.
Potentially Fatal: Rare, blood dyscrasias.
Interaction
Increased risk of serotonin syndrome w/ SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, triptans, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone. May reduce antihypertensive effect of bethanidine, guanethidine, debrisoquine, clonidine. May increase metabolism w/ barbiturates. Increased risk of arrhythmias and hypotension w/ anaesth. Increased plasma level w/ fluoxetine.
Potentially Fatal: Increased risk of serotonin syndrome w/ MAOIs, linezolid and methylene blue.