Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Teva Maprotiline.
Bladder problems: Maprotiline may cause urine retention and difficulty in urinating. If you have bladder problems, discuss with your doctor how Teva Maprotiline may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Teva Maprotiline, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Contact lenses: Since Teva Maprotiline can reduce tear production, contact lenses may damage the cornea of the eye. Talk to your doctor or optometrist about wearing contact lenses while talking maprotiline.
Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Maprotiline may reduce the mental or physical abilities required to perform certain tasks, such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle. Avoid these activities until you are sure that the medication does not affect you in this way.
Enlarged prostate: Teva Maprotiline can cause increased difficulty with urination, which may make symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland more pronounced. If you have an enlarged prostate or other difficulties with urinary disorders, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Teva Maprotiline, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Glaucoma: Teva Maprotiline can cause the effects of glaucoma to worsen. If you have glaucoma, discuss with your doctor how Teva Maprotiline may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Teva Maprotiline, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Heart conditions: Maprotiline, particularly when taken in high doses, can cause abnormal heart rhythms, heart attack, or Stroke. If you are a senior or have a history of heart disease, discuss with your doctor how Teva Maprotiline may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Teva Maprotiline, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Mental Health: Maprotiline may cause people with Schizophrenia to experience psychosis and can trigger manic episodes when it is taken by someone with bipolar depression. It can also worsen thought disturbances for people who have psychotic conditions. If you experience symptoms such as hallucinations, mania (feeling unusually over-excited or uninhibited), or delusional thinking, or notice them in a family member who is taking Teva Maprotiline, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Like other antidepressant medications, it may cause people with depression to want to hurt themselves or others, particularly before the feelings of depression start to ease. These symptoms may occur within several weeks after starting Teva Maprotiline. If you experience these side effects or notice them in a family member who is taking Teva Maprotiline, contact your doctor immediately. You should be closely monitored by your doctor for emotional and behaviour changes while taking Teva Maprotiline.
Mouth care: Maprotiline causes dry mouth and decreased body secretions, which may result in an increased risk of cavities. Talk to your dentist about how to keep your mouth healthy while taking maprotiline.
Seizures: Maprotiline may cause seizures, especially when higher doses are used. If you have brain damage, are addicted to alcohol, are going through alcohol withdrawal, or are taking medications that increase the risk of seizures (e.g., lithium), discuss with your doctor how Teva Maprotiline may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Teva Maprotiline, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Stopping treatment: Stopping treatment suddenly may result in the following side effects:
- dizziness
- general feeling of being unwell
- headache
- increased body temperature
- irritability
- Low Blood Pressure
- nausea
- sleep problems
- vomiting
- worsening depression
If treatment should be stopped, it should be done gradually as directed by your doctor.
Surgery: Since maprotiline can interact with general anesthetics, it should be gradually stopped, as directed by your doctor, before elective surgery. Be sure to tell all the members of your health care team that you are taking Teva Maprotiline.
Thyroid disease: Maprotiline can increase the heart and blood pressure effects that occur when the thyroid gland is overactive. If you have a thyroid condition, discuss with your doctor how Teva Maprotiline may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Teva Maprotiline, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Pregnancy: Teva Maprotiline should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Teva Maprotiline, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: Teva Maprotiline passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking maprotiline, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: Maprotiline is not recommended for use in children. The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.
Seniors: Seniors are more likely to experience side effects of maprotiline. Lower doses are usually recommended.
