Amicon Plus

Composition of Amicon Plus

Amicon Plus contains Amitriptyline (12.5mg) + Chlordiazepoxide (5mg). It belongs to the Antidepressant and Benzodiazepine / sedative-hypnotic class of medicines.

Uses of Amicon Plus

Treatment of Depression

Key benefits

• In Treatment of Depression Amicon Plus 12.5mg/5mg Tablet works by affecting the balance of certain chemicals (such as serotonin) in the brain. It helps improve mood and feelings of wellbeing
• relieve anxiety and tension
• helps you sleep better
• and increase your energy level. It is an effective antidepressant but may cause drowsiness. You need to take it regularly as it is prescribed for it to be most effective and should not stop taking it suddenly.

How Amicon Plus works

Amicon Plus 12.5mg/5mg Tablet is a combination of two medicines:

How to take Amicon Plus

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Side effects of Amicon Plus

Most side effects of Amicon Plus are mild and settle as the body adjusts. Reported side effects include:

• Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Stop the medicine and seek help immediately for a rash, swelling of the face or lips, wheezing or difficulty breathing. Tell your doctor about any side effect that persists or worries you.

Safety advice for Amicon Plus

Warnings and precautions

These medicines take two to four weeks to begin working, and longer for the full effect. Stopping at two weeks because nothing has changed is the commonest mistake. Never stop suddenly. Abrupt withdrawal causes dizziness, electric-shock sensations, irritability and flu-like symptoms — your doctor will reduce the dose gradually. Tell your doctor or go to hospital immediately if thoughts of harming yourself appear or worsen, particularly in the first weeks or after a dose change, and especially in anyone under twenty-five. Seek urgent care for agitation with fever, shivering, a racing heart, muscle twitching or confusion, particularly if more than one medicine affecting serotonin is being taken. Side effects are usually worst in the first fortnight and then settle. These medicines cause dependence. They are intended for the shortest possible course — usually two to four weeks — and are not a long-term treatment for anxiety or sleeplessness. Never stop a regular course suddenly. Withdrawal can cause severe anxiety, tremor and fits. Your doctor will taper it slowly. Do not drive or operate machinery. Drowsiness and slowed reactions can continue into the next day. Never combine with alcohol or with opioid painkillers — together they can stop your breathing. Older people are far more likely to fall, become confused or have memory problems on these medicines. Several of these are Schedule H1 medicines and must be dispensed against a prescription and entered in the pharmacy register.

Do not take Amicon Plus if

Not for anyone with a known allergy to this medicine or to any ingredient in the pack. Must not be combined with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, or started within the gap your doctor specifies after one. Not for people with severe breathing problems, sleep apnoea, or severe liver disease. Not for anyone with a history of dependence, except under specialist supervision.

Interactions with other medicines

Tramadol, triptans for migraine, linezolid, St John's wort and other antidepressants can together raise serotonin dangerously. Anti-inflammatory painkillers and blood thinners increase the bleeding risk when combined with this group. Alcohol, opioids, antihistamines, muscle relaxants and other sedatives all deepen the sedation, sometimes fatally.

How to store Amicon Plus

Store below 30°C in the original pack, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Expert advice for Amicon Plus

Amicon Plus 12.5mg/5mg Tablet is prescribed for the treatment of depression. It can take a week or two after starting this treatment before the effect begins to build up, and 4-6 weeks before you feel the full benefit. Do not stop taking it after a week or two, feeling it is not helping. Do not stop taking Amicon Plus 12.5mg/5mg Tablet unless your doctor tells you to do so. Stopping treatment suddenly can cause problems and your doctor will probably want you to reduce your dose gradually when this becomes necessary. Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can check on your progress. Inform your doctor if you are taking any other antidepressants. Inform your doctor immediately if you get thoughts about harming yourself or ending your life. Avoid alcohol while taking Amicon Plus 12.5mg/5mg Tablet. If you have diabetes, you will be asked to monitor your blood glucose level regularly as Amicon Plus 12.5mg/5mg Tablet may affect the levels of sugar in your blood. Amicon Plus 12.5mg/5mg Tablet is prescribed for the treatment of depression. It can take a week or two after starting this treatment before the effect begins to build up, and 4-6 weeks before you feel the full benefit. Do not stop taking it after a week or two, feeling it is not helping. Do not stop taking Amicon Plus 12.5mg/5mg Tablet unless your doctor tells you to do so. Stopping treatment suddenly can cause problems and your doctor will probably want you to reduce your dose gradually when this becomes necessary. Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can check on your progress. Inform your doctor if you are taking any other antidepressants. Inform your doctor immediately if you get thoughts about harming yourself or ending your life. Avoid alcohol while taking Amicon Plus 12.5mg/5mg Tablet. If you have diabetes, you will be asked to monitor your blood glucose level regularly as Amicon Plus 12.5mg/5mg Tablet may affect the levels of

Manufacturer and class

Manufacturer:

ICON PHARMA

Therapeutic class:

NEURO CNS

Drug class:

Antidepressant and Benzodiazepine / sedative-hypnotic