Moclobemide – Uses, Side Effects, Interactions

Apo-Moclobemide

GENERIC NAME(S): moclobemide

How does this medication work? What will it do for me?

Moclobemide is known as the class of antidepressants known as monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. It is used to treat depression. It is believed that there is depression due to imbalance in some chemicals in the brain. This drug works by balancing these chemicals.

This drug may be available in many brand names and / or many different forms. No specific brand name of this drug may be available in all forms or it may be approved for all the situations discussed here. Also, some forms of this medicine can not be used for all the situations discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in the information on these medicines. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or you do not know why you are taking this medicine, talk to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medicine without consultation with your doctor.

Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms are the same as yours. It can be detrimental to the people for taking this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

How does this medicine come in?

Nonmedicinal ingredients: dextrates, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, colloidal silicon dioxide, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 2910 ES, polydextrose, polyethylene glycol 33580, titanium dioxide, yellow ferric oxide, red ferric oxide, and carnauba wax.

150 mg
Each oval-shaped, scored, pale yellow, film-coated tablet contains 150 mg of moclobemide. Nonmedicinal ingredients: dextrates, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, colloidal silicon dioxide, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 2910 ES, polydextrose, polyethylene glycol 3350, titanium dioxide, yellow ferric oxide, and carnauba wax.

300 mg
Each oval-shaped, scored, white, film-coated tablet contains 300 mg of moclobemide. Nonmedicinal ingredients: methylcellulose 15 CPS, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, colloidal silicon dioxide, hydroxypropyl cellulose type LF, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 2910 ES, polyethylene glycol 8000 and titanium dioxide.

How should I use this medication?

The usual starting dose of moclobemide for adults is 150 mg twice daily. If necessary, your doctor may gradually increase your dose twice a day to 300 milligrams per day. Recommended dosage of Moclobemide for adults ranges from 150 mg to 300 mg, taken twice daily after meals.

Moclobemide should be completely swallowed with a glass of water. Do not split, crush, chew or break tablets.

In order to get the best effect, this medicine may take several days to several weeks. Unlike other MAO inhibitors, no special dietary restriction is necessary when taking Moclobemide. However, it is always very important to take this medicine immediately after eating it.

Many things can affect a drug dose, which requires a person, such as body weight, other medical conditions and other medicines. If your doctor has recommended a different dose from the people listed here, do not change the way to take medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take this medicine properly as it has been prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking this medicine without talking to your doctor first, even if you start feeling better. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If this is almost time for your next dose, leave the missed dose and continue with your regular diet program. Do not take double dose to make a mistake. If you are not sure what to do after remembering a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store this drug at room temperature and keep it out of reach of children.

Do not settle drugs in waste water (like bottom of the sink or toilet) or in household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to deal with medicines which are no longer needed or expired.

Who should NOT take this medication?

If you do not take this medication:

  • are allergic to Moclobemide or any ingredients of the medication
  • are in an acute state of confusion
  • are taking any of the following medications:
    • bupropion
    • dextromethorphan
    • meperidine
    • other MAO inhibitors e.g., tranylcypromine)
    • selegiline
    • SNRI antidepressants e.g., desvenlafaxine)
    • SSRI antidepressants e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline)
    • thioridazine
    • tramadol
    • tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline)
    • “triptan” migraine medications (e.g., sumatriptan)

What side effects are possible with this medication?

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • dizziness
  • dryness of mouth
  • headache
  • nausea
  • trouble sleeping

Although most of these side effects listed below don’t happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

  • agitation
  • blurred vision or other changes in vision
  • fast, racing, or irregular heartbeat
  • feeling confused, disoriented, or lost
  • new or worsened emotional problems
  • slow heartbeat
  • slurred speech
  • stiff neck, severe throbbing headache
  • symptoms of low sodium levels in the blood (e.g., achy, stiff or uncoordinated muscles, confusion, tiredness, weakness)
  • thoughts of self-harm or hurting others

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

  • signs of a hypertensive reaction (e.g., severe headache with confusion and blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, severe anxiety, difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, seizures)
  • signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
  • signs of serotonin syndrome (too much serotonin in the body; e.g., fast or racing heartbeat, loss of coordination, agitation, decreased reflexes, rapid changes in blood pressure, fever, heavy sweating, confusion)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed.Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

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 this medication.

Diet restrictions: Treatment with moclobemide does not require special diet restrictions as with other MAO inhibitors such as phenelzine. However, you should avoid consuming large amounts of certain foods, such as over 70 g of Marmite or 200 g of strong cheese. As a safety measure, immediately report the sudden occurrence of any of the following:

  • extremely fast or slow heart rate
  • headache
  • neck stiffness
  • other unusual symptoms not previously experienced
  • palpitations

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: This medication may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or perform other potentially hazardous tasks until you have determined how this medication affects you.

Glaucoma: Moclobemide may cause symptoms of glaucoma (increased pressure in the eyes), such as blurred vision or eye pain or pressure, to become worse. If you have glaucoma, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Kidney disease: If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause this medication to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced liver function or liver disease, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. For people with severe liver dysfunction, the daily dose of moclobemide should be reduced to one-third or one-half of the standard dose.

Other medications: Treatment with tricyclic antidepressants may be started after moclobemide has been stopped for at least 2 days. Do not start treatment with moclobemide until antidepressants have been stopped for 2 weeks in most cases (wait 5 weeks after taking fluoxetine).

Suicidal or agitated behaviour: People taking this medication may feel agitated (restless, anxious, aggressive, emotional, and feeling not like themselves), or they may want to hurt themselves or others. These symptoms may occur within several weeks after starting this medication. If you experience these side effects or notice them in a family member who is taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately. You should be closely monitored by your doctor for emotional and behaviour changes while taking this medication.

Thyroid disease: With certain types of thyroid disease, this medication can cause a severe increase in blood pressure. If you have thyroid disease, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: The safety of using moclobemide during pregnancy has not been established. This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: This medication passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking moclobemide, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.

What other drugs could interact with this medication?

There may be an interaction between moclobemide and any of the following:

  • alcohol
  • acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine)
  • aclidinium
  • alpha/beta agonists (e.g., epinephrine, norepinephrine)
  • alpha agonists (e.g., clonidine, methyldopa)
  • amphetamines (e.g., dextroamphetamine)
  • anesthetics (e.g., halothane)
  • anti-emetic medications (e.g., granisetron, ondansetron)
  • antihistamines (e.g,. cetirizine, doxylamine, diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine, loratadine)
  • antipsychotic medications (e.g., haloperidol, quetiapine, risperidone)
  • appetite suppressants (e.g., sibutramine, mazindol)
  • atomoxetine
  • atropine
  • azelastine
  • “azole” antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole)
  • belladonna
  • benztropine
  • beta-2 agonists (e.g., salbutamol, formoterol, terbutaline)
  • betahistine
  • bezafibrate
  • botulinum toxin
  • bromocriptine
  • bupropion
  • buspirone
  • cabergoline
  • carbamazepine
  • cimetidine
  • clidinium
  • clobazam
  • clopidogrel
  • cyclobenzaprine
  • decongestants (e.g., phenylephrine, oxymetazoline, pseudoephedrine, tetrahydrazoline, xylometazoline)
  • dabrafenib
  • delavirdine
  • dextromethorphan
  • diabetes medications (e.g., chlorpropamide, glipizide, glyburide, insulin, metformin, nateglinide, rosiglitazone)
  • diazepam
  • disopyramide
  • domperidone
  • efavirenz
  • entacapone
  • enzalutamide
  • ergot alkaloids (e.g., ergotamine, dihydroergotamine)
  • esomeprazole
  • fesoterodine
  • flavoxate
  • gemfibrozil
  • glaucoma medications (e.g., apraclonidine, brimonidine)
  • isoniazid
  • glucagon
  • glycopyrrolate
  • ipratropium
  • isoniazid
  • ketotifen
  • levodopa
  • lithium
  • linezolid
  • lopinavir
  • maprotiline
  • meperidine
  • methylene blue
  • methylphenidate
  • metoclopramide
  • midodrine
  • mirabegron
  • mirtazapine
  • modafinil
  • other monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs; e.g., moclobemide, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine)
  • narcotic medications (e.g., fentanyl, morphine, codeine, oxycodone)
  • nefazodone
  • octreotide
  • omeprazole
  • orphenadrine
  • oxybutynin
  • phenobarbital
  • phenytoin
  • pizotifen
  • potassium chloride
  • quinidine
  • quinine
  • reserpine
  • rifampin
  • St. John’s wort
  • scopolamine
  • selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline)
  • serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs; e.g., desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, venlafaxine)
  • solifenacin
  • stiripentol
  • sympathomimetic medications (e.g., epinephrine, norepinephrine)
  • tapentadol
  • tetrabenazine
  • tetrahydrozoline
  • thioridazine
  • tiotropium
  • ticlopidine
  • tizanidine
  • tolterodine
  • tramadol
  • trazodone
  • tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine)
  • “triptan” migraine medications (e.g., rizatriptan, sumatriptan)
  • trospium
  • tryptophan
  • umeclidinium

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

  • stop taking one of the medications,
  • change one of the medications to another,
  • change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
  • leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Disclaimer: DrLinex has made every effort to ensure that all information is factually accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a licensed health care professional’s choice of knowledge and expertise. You should always consult your doctor or other health care professional before taking any medication. The information given here is subject to change and it has not been used to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or adverse effects. The lack of warning or other information for any drug does not indicate that the combination of medicine or medication is safe, effective or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

One thought on “Moclobemide – Uses, Side Effects, Interactions

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