Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Moclobemide
What is MOCLOBEMIDE used for?
- MOCLOBEMIDE is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of depression in adults.
MOCLOBEMIDE is not for use in children under 18 years of age.
How does MOCLOBEMIDE work?
MOCLOBEMIDE is a short-acting antidepressant and belongs to the family of drugs called Reversible Inhibitor of Monoamine Oxidase-type A (RIMA). MOCLOBEMIDE helps increase the amount of certain chemicals in the brain. This action accounts for the antidepressant activity of MOCLOBEMIDE.
What are the ingredients in MOCLOBEMIDE?
Medicinal ingredient: Moclobemide
Non-medicinal ingredients:
- 100 mg and 150 mg tablet: carnauba wax, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, dextrates, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, iron oxide yellow, magnesium stearate, polydextrose, polyethylene glycol (carbowax) and titanium dioxide. The 100 mg tablet also contains iron oxide red.
- 300 mg tablet: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol and titanium dioxide.
MOCLOBEMIDE comes in the following dosage forms:
Tablets; 100 mg, 150 mg and 300 mg
Do not use MOCLOBEMIDE if:
- you have a known allergy to moclobemide or to any of the other ingredients MOCLOBEMIDE.
- you suffer from a mental problem that makes you confused, lose contact with reality or unable to think and judge clearly.
- you are currently taking a medication to treat depression (a tricyclic/tetracyclic antidepressant, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a serotonin- norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) or a conventional monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAO-I)).
- you are currently taking selegiline.
- you are currently taking trimipramine / maprotiline.
- you are currently taking the pain medications meperidine or tramadol.
- you are currently taking thioridazine.
- you are currently taking a migraine medication such as rizatriptan, sumatriptan or other triptans.
- you are currently taking bupropion (WELLBUTRIN® or ZYBAN®).
- you are currently taking dextromethorphan found in some cough and cold medications.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take MOCLOBEMIDE. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have ever had a bad reaction to MOCLOBEMIDE or any of the inactive ingredients.
- are allergic to other medicines, food and dyes.
- have any other illnesses/diseases, including a history of liver or kidney disease, thyroid disorders, heart problems, or high blood pressure.
- are pregnant, plan on becoming pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
- have a habit of excessive alcohol consumption or street drug use.
Other warnings that you should know about:
New or Worsened Emotional or Behavioral Problems
Particularly in the first few weeks or when doses are adjusted, a small number of patients taking drugs of this type may feel worse instead of better; for example, they may experience unusual feelings of agitation, hostility or anxiety, or have impulsive or disturbing thoughts such as thoughts of self-harm or harm to others. Should this happen to you, or to those in your care if you are a caregiver or guardian, consult your doctor immediately. Close observation by a doctor is necessary in this situation. Do not discontinue your medication on your own.
MOCLOBEMIDE may take from a few days to several weeks to be really effective, so patience is needed to give the drug a chance to work.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Do not drive a vehicle or perform hazardous tasks until you know how MOCLOBEMIDE affects you.
Effects on Pregnancy and Newborns
If you are already taking/using MOCLOBEMIDE and have just found out that you are pregnant, you should talk to your doctor immediately. You should also talk to your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant.
Angle-Closure Glaucoma
MOCLOBEMIDE can cause an acute attack of glaucoma. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience eye pain, changes in vision, swelling or redness in or around the eye.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with MOCLOBEMIDE:
- Alcohol,
- Anesthetics and pain medication
- Buspirone
- Cimetidine
- Clomipramine
- Meperidine
- Selegiline
- Thioridazine
- Omeprazole
- Other antidepressants
- Medications used to treat certain mental illnesses other than depression.
- Blood pressure medications, cough and cold medications containing dextromethorphan,
- Allergy medications or any medication that contains amphetamine and ephedrine like compounds
There are no dietary restrictions, but excessive amounts of some foods should be avoided such as over 200 g of strong cheese or 70 g of Marmite yeast extract.
How to take MOCLOBEMIDE:
Take MOCLOBEMIDE as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.
MOCLOBEMIDE should always be taken after meals.
MOCLOBEMIDE should be swallowed whole with water. MOCLOBEMIDE tablets should not be split, crushed, chewed or dissolved as this can destroy it or change its effects.
It is very important that you do NOT stop taking MOCLOBEMIDE as soon as you start to feel feeling better. Discuss with your doctor how long drug treatment should continue, especially if you have had more than one episode of depression.
Usual dose:
The recommended starting dose of MOCLOBEMIDE is 300 mg/day (150 mg tablet twice a day). Your doctor may recommend increasing the dose to a maximum of 600 mg/day (300 mg tablet twice a day).
Overdose:
Signs of overdose include: nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, feeling confused, slurred speech, difficulty remembering, reduces reflexes, agitation, increased blood pressure and uncontrolled shaking (convulsions).
| If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much MOCLOBEMIDE, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
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Missed Dose:
If you forget to take a dose of MOCLOBEMIDE take it as soon as possible, then just carry on with the regular times you take your medication. If you remember your missed dose close to the time for your next dose, do not take the missed dose.
What are possible side effects from using MOCLOBEMIDE?
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking MOCLOBEMIDE. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
Like all medications, MOCLOBEMIDE can cause some side effects. Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking MOCLOBEMIDE.
Side effects include:
Sleepiness, somnolence, tiredness, sedation, anxiety, weakness, dry mouth, sweating, increased or decreased appetite.
MOCLOBEMIDE can cause abnormal blood test results. Your healthcare professional will decide when to perform blood tests and will interpret the results.
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| COMMON | |||
| Insomnia, dizziness, nausea, headache | X | ||
| RARE | |||
| Allergic reaction: skin rash or hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat | X | ||
| UNKNOWN | |||
| Fast, racing, pounding or irregular heartbeat | X | ||
| Slow heartbeat | X | ||
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| Neck stiffness, severe throbbing headache - starting at the back of the head and radiating forward | X | ||
| Changes in eyesight (vision) | X | ||
| Diarrhea or constipation | X | ||
| Not enough sodium in your blood. Signs of this may be feeling sleepy, confused or having fits (seizures) | X | ||
| Feeling confused and lost (disoriented) | X | ||
New or Worsened Emotional or Behavioral Problems: thoughts or talk of death or suicide; thoughts or talk of self-harm or harm to others; any recent attempts of self-harm | X | ||
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help |
|---|---|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | |
| Serotonin Syndrome: mental changes such as agitation, hallucinations, confusion or other changes in mental status; coordination problems, uncontrolled muscle spasms, or muscle twitching (overactive reflexes); restlessness, shaking, shivering, racing or fast heartbeat, high or low blood pressure, sweating or fever, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, muscle rigidity (stiff muscles), tremor, loss of muscle control) | ||
| X | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
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| NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice |
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Storage:
- Store MOCLOBEMIDE at room temperature between 15°C to 30°C.
- Do not use MOCLOBEMIDE tablets after the expiry date. All expired medications should be returned to your pharmacist.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
you want more information about MOCLOBEMIDE:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); the manufacturer’s website (https://www.aapharma.ca/en/), or by calling 1-877-998-9097
Date of Revision: JUN 22, 2023