Ludiomil (Maprotiline)

Ludiomil is used for the treatment of depressive illness. Ludiomil helps to relieve the symptoms of depression such as anxiety, sadness, loss of interest, difficulty in performing everyday tasks, nervousness and feelings of failure or guilt. It also improves physical symptoms caused by depression such as lack of energy, fatigue, poor sleep, dizziness, headache, indigestion and pain. Ludiomil belongs to a group of medicines called tricyclic antidepressants. These medicines correct the chemical imbalance and help to relieve the physical and emotional symptoms of depression. Ludiomil is not recommended for use in children 12 years of age and under. Ludiomil is not recommended for use in adolescents (13 -18 years of age) for the treatment of depression, unless under the supervision of a specialist. Ludiomil should be taken as directed by your doctor. The lowest effective dose is recommended for elderly patients. The coated tablets should be swallowed whole with sufficient liquid. Ludiomil must usually be taken for a few weeks before you begin to feel better. Do not stop taking it without first consulting your doctor. Your doctor may want you to reduce the dosage gradually before stopping completely. This is to prevent a possible worsening of your condition and reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea, difficulty in sleeping, nervousness, anxiousness and general discomfort. If you are over 65 years old, you should be especially careful while taking this medicine. Report any side effects promptly to your doctor.

Manufacturer Information

Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them. The common side effects of Ludiomil may include drowsiness, blurred vision, light headedness, dry mouth, difficulty urinating, constipation, excessive sweating, increased appetite and weight gain, tired feeling and mental dullness, anxiety, disturbed sleep or nightmares, shakiness or trembling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, reduced sexual desire, swelling of the breasts, increased sensitivity to the sun, hair loss, change in sense of taste, agitation, nervousness, memory impairment, disturbances in attention, unsteadiness when walking, uncontrollable twitching, blocked nose, mouth ulcers and cold sores, tooth decay, fever, swollen ankles or feet, increased pressure in the eye, abnormal liver function test. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:

• depersonalization (a state in which one's thoughts and feelings seem unreal or not to belong to oneself);

• fast or irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure;

• fall, eye pain or bone fractures, fainting spells, seizures (fits), irritability;

• frequent passing of large amounts of urine;

• low sodium levels in the blood (sick, confused, exhausted, with muscle weakness or cramps, loss of balance);

• life-threatening skin condition caused by a reaction to drugs, which starts with painful red areas, then large blisters and ends with peeling of layers of skin accompanied by fever and chills, aching muscles;

• psychotic disorders (severe mental disorders that cause abnormal thinking and perceptions);

• severe dizziness or difficulty in speaking or slurred speech;

• severe confusion or hallucinations (seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not there), especially in elderly;

• unusual bleeding or bruising under the skin

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Please call your doctor if you have any further concerns or questions.

While taking Ludiomil, tell your doctor immediately: if you become pregnant, feel at any time that life is no longer worth living, if you wear contact lenses. Be careful driving, operating machinery while you are taking Ludiomil until you know how it affects you as it may cause tiredness, dizziness, drowsiness or blurred vision. Be careful to stay out of direct sunlight as much as possible. This medicine makes some people more sensitive to sunlight. You must not take Ludiomil: if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking maprotiline or any other tricyclic antidepressant, if you are taking another medicine to treat depression, if you are recovering from a recent heart attack, if you have a seizure/fits disorder, are suffering from severe liver or kidney damage, have increased pressure in the eye or glaucoma, have difficulty in passing urine, have acute poisoning with alcohol, sleeping pills (e.g. barbiturates), or medicines affecting mental state.

Before you start to take Ludiomil, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other medicines, foods, or if you have any of these health problems: chronic constipation, difficulty in passing urine, a condition where the small bowel does not work properly, seizures, a mental disorder (e.g. schizophrenia, mania), problems with blood pressure, a blood disorder, thyroid problems, dental caries, excessive use of alcohol, diabetes. If you have been told by your doctor that you have intolerance for some sugars, contact your doctor. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is not recommended while you are taking Ludiomil. The active ingredient passes into the breast milk and could affect your baby.

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop. Other medicines and Ludiomil may interfere with each other. These include: medicines for high blood pressure or heart problems, other medicines for depression or other mental disorders such as psychosis, medicines for seizures, anaesthetics used prior to surgery, medicines for asthma or allergies, medicines for diabetes or thyroid problems, cimetidine, a medicine for stomach ulcers, medicines for Parkinson's disease, medicines to improve mental activity, medicines for thinning the blood, medicines for cough and cold preparations.