Motipress

What is it?

An anxiolytic and antidepressant combining a phenothiazine group III and TCAD available as triangular, sugar-coated, yellow tablets containing 1.5mg of fluphenazine hydrochloride and 30mg of nortriptyline (as hydrochloride).

Medical Uses

Anxiety and depression.

Dosage

Adults, 1 tablet each day, preferably taken at bedtime. Maximum treatment period is 3 months. Elderly patients should be given lower doses.

Special Care

Breast-feeding, epilepsy, constipation, disease of arteries of heart, glaucoma, liver or kidney disease, diabetes, retention of urine, hyperthyroidism, tumours of adrenal glands. Patients with psychoses or at risk of suicide. Heart and liver function should be monitored with longterm use and blood tests carried out and drug should be stopped gradually.

Avoid Use

Children, pregnancy, breastfeeding, severe liver or kidney disorders, serious heart disorders, heart attack, heart block, blood changes, history of brain damage or grand mal epilepsy.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Other antidepressants, anticonvulsants, alcohol, within 2 weeks of taking MAOIs, thyroid drugs, quinidine, phenytoin, carbamazepine, barbiturates, sympathomimetics and those in local anaesthetics, adrenaline, noradrenaline, anti- hypertensives, neuroleptics, anticholinergics, oestrogens, cimetidine.

Known Side Effects

Sleepiness, vertigo, lightheadedness, unsteadiness, disturbance of vision, rash, hypotension, gastro-intestinal upset, changes in libido, retention of urine. Allergic reactions, dry mouth, constipation, palpitations, sweating, tachycardia, nervousness, heart arrhythmias, conduction defects. Impotence, effects on breasts, weight loss or gain. Tinnitus (ringing in ears), effects on central nervous system, changes in blood sugar, blood disorders. Mania and schizophrenic symptoms may rarely be activated, particularly in the elderly.