ASENAPINE
About
ASENAPINE belongs to a group of medicines called 'antipsychotics' used to treat schizophrenia and manic depression (or bipolar disorder). Schizophrenia is a mental condition in which the person may feel, hear or see things that are not there, believe things that are not true, or feel unusually suspicious or confused. Manic depression, or bipolar disorder, is a serious brain disorder in which a person experiences extreme mood swings (variance in thinking) and frequent mood and behaviour changes.
ASENAPINE contains 'Asenapine' that works by blocking the effects of chemical messengers in the brain (i.e. dopamine and serotonin), thereby helping improve mood, behaviour and thoughts. ASENAPINE elevates the disease's symptoms and prevents them from coming back. ASENAPINE treats schizophrenia and bipolar disorder who are at least 18 years of age.
Take ASENAPINE as your doctor has prescribed it. In some cases, you may experience common side effects such as sleepiness, sudden drops in blood pressure when you stand up, dizziness and changes in your ability to move and balance. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Please do not stop taking ASENAPINE without consulting your doctor to avoid worsening seizures. To treat your condition effectually, continue taking ASENAPINE for as long as your doctor has prescribed. Do not take ASENAPINE if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless prescribed. ASENAPINE causes drowsiness and dizziness, do not drive unless you are alert. ASENAPINE should not be recommended to children below 18 years of age for treating schizophrenia or mania. Avoid consuming alcohol with ASENAPINE as it could lead to increased drowsiness and dizziness. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines to rule out any side effects.
Uses of ASENAPINE
Medicinal Benefits
ASENAPINE contains 'Asenapine' that works by blocking the effects of chemical messengers in the brain (i.e. dopamine and serotonin), thereby helping improve mood, behaviour and thoughts. ASENAPINE elevates the disease's symptoms and prevents them from coming back. ASENAPINE treats schizophrenia in people above 18 years and treats bipolar disorder who are at least 18 years of age.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of ASENAPINE
- Sleepiness
- Anxiety
- Weight gain
- Muscle tightness
- Sedation
- Nausea
- Change in taste
- Numb feeling of the tongue or in the mouth
- Increased appetite
- Sudden drops in blood pressure when you stand up
- Dizziness and changes in your ability to move and balance
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take ASENAPINE if you are allergic to Asenapine or its contents. Do not take ASENAPINE if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless prescribed. ASENAPINE causes drowsiness and dizziness, do not drive unless you are alert. Avoid consuming alcohol with ASENAPINE as it could lead to increased drowsiness and dizziness. Rise slowly from sitting or lying position as ASENAPINE causes orthostatic hypotension (sudden lowering in blood pressure leading to dizziness on standing). Inform your doctor before taking ASENAPINE if you have diabetes, as ASENAPINE can cause an increase in blood sugar levels. ASENAPINE may not be suitable for people with a history of prolactin-dependent breast cancer as ASENAPINE increases prolactin levels. ASENAPINE should not be used in adults to treat dementia-related psychosis. ASENAPINE is not recommended for use in patients below the age of 18 years. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Some medicines may reduce or increase the effect of ASENAPINE.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: ASENAPINE may interact with other Antipsychotic classes of medications such as iloperidone and haloperidol.
Food-Drug Interactions: ASENAPINE may interact with alcohol, obesity, and high cholesterol levels.
Drug-Disease Interactions: ASENAPINE may have interactions with dementia (memory loss), severe hepatic impairment, dementia, QT Prolongation, NMS (Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome), and tardive dyskinesia (a disorder that involves involuntary movements).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking ASENAPINE as it may increase dizziness and sleepiness.
Pregnancy
cautionAvoid taking ASENAPINE if you are pregnant unless prescribed by a doctor. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionInform your doctor if you are a nursing mother before taking the ASENAPINE; your doctor will decide whether the ASENAPINE can be taken by breastfeeding mothers.
Driving
unsafeASENAPINE causes dizziness, sleepiness and tiredness. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are alert.
Liver
cautionInform your doctor before receiving the ASENAPINE if you have a liver impairment/disorder history. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Kidney
cautionInform your doctor before receiving the ASENAPINE if you have a kidney impairment/disorder history. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Children
unsafeASENAPINE is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age due to insufficient data on efficacy and safety.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
- Regularly attend therapy sessions.
- Perform meditation and yoga.
- Follow a regular sleep pattern.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Learn about your condition, understand the risk factors and follow the doctor’s treatment plan.
Special Advise
- While taking ASENAPINE, you may become more sensitive to extreme temperature conditions (like too hot or too cold), so it is advisable to avoid getting too hot or too hot or dehydrated, especially during summer. Drink plenty of fluid and water to cope with this condition.
- If you are of childbearing age, use effective contraception without interruptions during your entire treatment with ASENAPINE.
- Consult your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking ASENAPINE.
- ASENAPINE might affect blood and urine tests. Inform the person doing the tests that you are taking ASENAPINE.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Schizophrenia: Schizophrenia is a severe long-term mental health condition. It causes a range of different psychological symptoms. Symptoms of schizophrenia include hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that do not exist outside of the mind), delusions (unusual beliefs not based on reality), muddled thoughts based on hallucinations or delusions, losing interest in everyday activities, not caring about your personal hygiene, wanting to avoid people, including friends.
Bipolar disorder: Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression or bipolar disease, is a mental health disorder associated with mood swings episodes ranging from manic highs to depressive lows.
FAQs
ASENAPINE contains 'Asenapine' that works by blocking the effects of chemical messengers in the brain (i.e. dopamine and serotonin), thereby improving mood, behaviour and thoughts. ASENAPINE elevates the disease's symptoms and prevents them from coming back. ASENAPINE treats schizophrenia and bipolar disorder at least 18 years of age.
ASENAPINE can help to alleviate the severity of mania symptoms. It often reduces the time it takes to heal and prevent mania from reoccurring.
Asenapine is an antipsychotic drug used to treat manic episodes. These medications can be prescribed to treat mood disorders.
ASENAPINE may cause an increase in blood glucose (sugar) levels. So, regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is advised while taking ASENAPINE. Diabetes patients should consult a doctor before taking ASENAPINE.
ASENAPINE causes tiredness, dizziness and vision problems. So, it is advisable not to drive or operate machinery without consulting your doctor. It may also lower your blood pressure on sudden standing, leading to dizziness, so try to get up easily to avoid this.
Yes, orthostatic hypotension could be a side-effect of ASENAPINE. Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden lowering in blood pressure leading to dizziness on standing. If you experience this, do not try to stand up suddenly or start walking, instead lie down and get up slowly only when you feel better. People taking ASENAPINE are advised to regularly monitor their blood pressure levels to avoid such unpleasant events.
ASENAPINE may cause weight gain due to an increase in appetite. Maintain a healthy weight by following a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
