Lofepramine

Class

Indications

  • Depressive disorders

      • Major depressive disorder

      • Anxiety

      • Insomnia

      • Neuropathic/chronic pain

      • Treatment resistant depression

Administration/Absorption

    • Oral

      • Tablets

      • Oral suspension

Dosage

Distribution

Mechanism

Excretion

Side effects

    • Lofepramine is less sedating than, for instance, amitriptyline, and is safer in overdose than older tricyclics.

    • Delusions, headache, nightmares, facial oedema, general feeling of being unwell, bleeding from skin, excitement/anxiety, nausea, inflammation of mucous membranes, loss of taste, parasthesia, skin rash, psychiatric problems such as self harm, drowsiness, dry mouth, pins and needles, heartbeat irregularities, sweating, low blood pressure, constipation, blurred vision palpatations, dizziness and urinary retention.

    • Can cause confusion in elderly patients or behavioural disturbance in the young.

    • May produce weight gain or cause changes in the levels of blood sugar.

    • Some patients report muscular discomfort, particularly in the shoulders.

Interactions

Contraindications

    • Use with caution for epileptic patients or those with glaucoma or psychosis.

    • Liver failure or heart disease.

    • Not advisable for use in pregnant women.