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Maprotiline Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 5, 2021.

For the Consumer

Applies to maprotiline: oral tablet

Warning

Oral route (Tablet)

Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs

Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of maprotiline or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber. Maprotiline is not approved for use in pediatric patients.

Side effects requiring immediate medical attention

Along with its needed effects, maprotiline may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

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

More common

Less common

Rare

  • Breast enlargement—in males and females
  • confusion (especially in the elderly)
  • difficulty in urinating
  • fainting
  • hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
  • inappropriate secretion of milk—in females
  • irregular heartbeat (pounding, racing, skipping)
  • sore throat and fever
  • swelling of testicles
  • yellow eyes or skin

Symptoms of overdose

  • Convulsions (seizures)
  • dizziness (severe)
  • drowsiness (severe)
  • fast or irregular heartbeat
  • fever
  • muscle stiffness or weakness (severe)
  • restlessness or agitation
  • trouble in breathing
  • vomiting

Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention

Some side effects of maprotiline may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

  • Blurred vision
  • decreased sexual ability
  • dizziness or lightheadedness (especially in the elderly)
  • drowsiness
  • dryness of mouth
  • headache
  • increased or decreased sexual drive
  • tiredness or weakness

Less common

  • Constipation (mild)
  • diarrhea
  • heartburn
  • increased appetite and weight gain
  • increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight
  • increased sweating
  • trouble in sleeping
  • weight loss

After you stop using this medicine, it may still produce some side effects that need attention. During this period of time, Check with your doctor immediately if you notice the following side effects:

Managing side effects (general information)

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to maprotiline: oral tablet

General

The most commonly reported side effects include dry mouth, drowsiness, and dizziness.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Dry mouth (up to 22%)

Common (1% to 10%): Constipation, nausea

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Vomiting, epigastric distress, diarrhea, bitter taste, abdominal cramps, dysphagia, increased salivation

Frequency not reported: Sublingual adenitis, black tongue, stomatitis, paralytic ileus[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Drowsiness (up to 16%)

Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, tremor, headache

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Decreased memory, numbness, tingling, motor hyperactivity, akathisia, EEG alterations, extrapyramidal symptoms, ataxia, dysarthria

Frequency not reported: Stroke, peripheral neuropathy[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, agitation

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Confusional states, hallucinations, disorientation, delusions, restlessness, nightmares, hypomania, mania, psychosis exacerbation, feelings of unreality, decreased libido[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Weakness, fatigue

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Tinnitus, drug fever[Ref]

Ocular

Common (1% to 10%): Blurred vision

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Accommodation disorder, mydriasis[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hypotension, hypertension, tachycardia, palpitation, arrhythmia, heart block, syncope, edema

Frequency not reported: Myocardial infarction[Ref]

Dermatologic

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Skin rash, petechia, itching, photosensitization, excessive perspiration, flushing, alopecia

Postmarketing reports: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis[Ref]

Genitourinary

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Urinary retention, delayed micturition, impotence, urinary frequency

Frequency not reported: Breast enlargement (in women), galactorrhea, testicular swelling[Ref]

Hepatic

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Altered liver function, jaundice

Postmarketing reports: Increased liver enzymes[Ref]

Metabolic

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Elevation/depression of blood sugar levels, weight loss or gain[Ref]

Respiratory

Interstitial pneumonitis was occasionally associated with eosinophilia and increased liver enzymes. However, no clear causal relationship to treatment has been established.[Ref]

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Nasal congestion

Postmarketing reports: Interstitial pneumonitis[Ref]

Hematologic

Frequency not reported: Bone marrow depression, agranulocytosis, eosinophilia, purpura, thrombocytopenia[Ref]

Endocrine

Frequency not reported: Gynecomastia (in men)[Ref]

References

1. "Product Information. Ludiomil (maprotiline)." Ciba-Geigy Pharmaceuticals, East Hanover, NJ.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer