Generic Name: Maprotiline Hydrochloride
Brand Names: Ludiomil
Drug Class: TCA
Similar Class Drugs: Amitriptyline, Protriptyline
Available Dosage Form: Oral tablet
What is Maprotiline?
The FDA authorizes Maprotiline for the treatment of:
– Major depressive disorder
– Depression associated with manic episodes
– Anxiety as a symptom of depression
– Chronic depression
It has the highest affinity for inhibiting the uptake of norepinephrine. A surge in the concentration of norepinephrine diminishes the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Maprotiline induces pronounced antihistaminic and moderate anticholinergic effects.
Impaired memory is a common side effect. It is critical to differentiate the symptoms of “pseudodementia” precipitated by the long-term use of Maprotiline from those of neurodegenerative disease dementia. Thorough medication history aids in ruling out the possibility of the disease. 1
How to use Maprotiline?
– If you are diagnosed with mild to moderate depression, your doctor might start treatment with the dosage of 75mg
– The initial dosage is 25 mg in older patients
– Oral tablets are film-coated
– Break the tablet along the score line if your doctor asks you to divide the dosage
– You will start to feel better in 2-3 weeks if you have taken your doses timely
– Your doctor will change your dosage regime according to the stage of treatment
What are the side effects of Maprotiline?
– Blurred vision, headache, dizziness, insomnia, impaired memory, syncope, tremors
– Constipation, nausea
– Palpitations, orthostatic hypotension
Life-threatening adverse effects:
– Arrhythmias, heart block
– Suicidal behavior
– Worsening of mania
– Sexual impairment
Negative effects on the metabolism have been documented with Maprotiline.2 It increased serum ghrelin levels, a hormone involved in appetite and weight gain. The results concluded that Maprotiline is strongly associated with causing weight gain and raised BMI.
Who should not use Maprotiline?
– Patients with susceptibility to seizures
– Patients with hypersensitivity to the drug
– Patients taking MAOIs
– Patients in the acute recovery period of myocardial infarction
References
- Pinar M, Gulsun M, Tasci I, et al. Maprotiline induced weight gain in Depressive DISORDER: Changes in CIRCULATING ghrelin and adiponectin levels and insulin sensitivity. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278584607002709. Published Aug 8, 2007. Accessed Aug 7, 2021.
- Vinader-Carols C, Martos AJ, Monleón S, Arenas MC, Parra A. Acute effects of Maprotiline on learning, anxiety, activity, and analgesia in male and female mice. Acta neurobiologiae experimentalis. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7161914_Acute_effects_of_maprotiline_on_learning_anxiety_activity_and_analgesia_in_male_and_female_mice. Published 2006 Jan 1. Accessed Aug 7, 2021
