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Drug Details

LENTIZOL

• Drug Class Description
  Tricyclic antidepressants (TCADs) .
• Generic Name
  Amitriptyline
• Presentation
  Capsules, amitriptyline hydrochloride 25mg , 50mg .
• Description
  25mg pink capsule with white pellets; 50mg pink/red capsule with white pellets. Both sustained-release capsules marked LENTIZOL and capsule strength.
• Indications
  Symptoms of depressive illness especially where sedation is required.
• Adult Dosage
  

  50 - 100 mg as a single dose at night increasing to maximum 200 mg daily according to response. Reduce for maintenance, usually 50 - 100 mg as a single dose at night.

• Child Dosage
  Not recommended.
• Elderly Dosage
  Initially 25 - 75 mg daily. Increase only under close supervision.
• Contra Indications
  

  Acute myocardial infarction, heart block, disorders of cardiac rhythm, coronary artery insufficiency, severe liver disease, mania. Known hypersensitivity to dibenzeoines. Co-administration with MAOIs. Porphyria. Pregnancy and lactation.

• Special Precautions
  

  Psychoses, patients with suicidal tendencies. Reduce doses for the elderly. Pre-existing heart disease. History of urinary retention, narrow angle glaucoma, impaired liver function, or increased ocular pressure, symptoms suggestive of prostatic hypertrophy and a history of epilepsy. Hyperthyroidism.

  If possible, discontinue Lentizol emergency surgery is unavoidable, the anaesthetist should be informed that the patient is being so treated. Avoid abrupt withdrawal of Lentizol.

• Interactions
  

  With or within 14 days of MAOIs. Sympathomimetic agents such as adrenaline, ephedrine, isoprenaline, noradrenaline, phenylephrine and phenylpropanolamine. Use with caution when administered concurrently with anticholinergic drugs or thyroid medications.

  Ritonavir. Adrenergic neurone blocking agents, and possibly clonidine. Barbiturates, methylphenidate. Alcohol, barbiturates and other CNS depressants. Cimetidine. Disulfiram.

• Adverse Drug Reactions
  

  Anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision and changes in accommodation, palpitations and tachycardia. Tinnitus, drowsiness, nervousness or insomnia.

  Tremor, orthostatic hypotension, dizziness, sweating, weakness and fatigue, ataxia, epileptiform seizures, occasional extrapyramidal symptoms and gastric irritation. Weight loss or gain. Allergic skin reactions, jaundice and blood disorders (test blood regularly).

  Conduction defects and cardiac arrhythmias. Endocrine effects such as changes in libido, impotence, gynaecomastia and galactorrhoea. Changes in blood sugar concentrations. Some patients may switch over into mania and schizophrenic symptoms activated, especially in the elderly. Withdrawal symptoms.