AIM :This medication is intended to correct the chemical changes in your body, which are associated with depressive illness. This medication is different to Serotonin drugs (SSRIs). It focuses particularly and almost exclusively on the noradrenaline pathways within the brain, in contrast to most other antidepressants which focus on the serotonin pathways within the brain. Both the noradrenaline and the serotonin pathways are believed to be involved in depressive illness.
We know that the vast majority of individuals with depressive illness will benefit from one of the available antidepressant agents, but we do not know how antidepressants achieve this effect, similar to the initial years when antibiotics were first used. At present it is not possible to predict which particular medication is best suited to any individual patient’s chemistry, so that the antidepressant first prescribed may need to be changed after some time if it is not effective. Statistically, any antidepressant has a 70% change of helping an individual patient.
DOSAGE :The normal dosage is one tablet twice per day, and the normal maximum dosage is three tablets per day.
TIMING: Because they are energising, the tablets should be taken morning and lunch, or take all the medication in the morning if the lunchtime dose is interfering with your sleep.
SIDE EFFECTS :You may experience some or none of the following :
1.Nausea – taking the medication after food may resolve this problem.
2.Headache.
3.Dizziness or unsteadiness, especially when standing up from a sitting position, when getting out of bed, or when exercising or bending over and straightening up.
4.Difficulty sleeping – taking the medication early in the day may resolve this problem.
5.Constipation, dry mouth, blurring of vision – the antidote UROCARB may resolve these problems.
6.Sweating – the antidote PROBANTHINE may resolve this problem.
7.Difficulty passing urine (especially males) – UROCARB may help with this problem.
8.Agitation or shaking – reduce the dose if this occurs.
9.Epileptic seizures – if you or people in your family have a history of this problem, do not take EDRONAX until you have discussed it with your doctor.
10. Irritability
- Dry mouth – if you develop this, good dental hygiene is important, due to the absence of saliva; otherwise, severe dental problems can develop. Bitter drinks or an antidote medication (Urocarb) may help if needed.
NEED TO VARY DOSAGE :This medication will eventually overwhelm your symptoms, if it works for you. With no symptoms left to absorb the powerful medication, you may experience yawning, drowsiness, difficulty finding the right word, or simple errors in spelling or calculation. Reduce the medication for 2 or 3 days, until these problems resolve, and restart at a lower dose. At times of extra stress, you may need to increase the dose (so that your concentration and memory are back to normal, being good indicators or good symptom control).
LENGTH OF TREATMENT :Once you recover, you will need to keep taking the tablets for up to a year afterwards, to prevent the chemical imbalance from returning. These tablets are not at all addictive. It is important to reduce the dose gradually.
PRECAUTIONS :Do not take these tablets :
- If you develop a rash or hives while taking this medication.
- If you have taken Parnate within the previous 2 weeks.
- If you intend becoming pregnant in the next month.
USE OF ALCOHOL :You can have a small amount of alcohol quite safely with these tablets, but do remember that one drink may have the effect of 2 or 3 drinks.
COUGHS & COLDS: The warning not to take Sudafed, Sinutabs etc if taking antidepressants does not apply to this medication.