Asenapine Maleate
Warnings
What may interact with Asenapine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
-cisapride
-dronedarone
-metoclopramide
-pimozide
-thioridazine
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
-alcohol
-antihistamines for allergy, cough, and cold
-certain antibiotics like gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin
-certain medicines for fungal infections like fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole
-certain medicines for irregular heart beat like amiodarone, dofetilide, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol
-certain medicines for sleep or anxiety
-certain medicines for depression like amitriptyline, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline
-fluvoxamine
-general anesthetics like halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, propofol
-levodopa or other medicines for Parkinson''s disease
-medicines for blood pressure
-medicines for seizures
-medicines that relax muscles for surgery
-narcotic medicines for pain
-other medicines that prolong the QT interval (cause an abnormal heart rhythm)
-phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine
-ziprasidone
What should I tell my health care provider before I take Asenapine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-dementia
-diabetes
-difficulty swallowing
-have trouble controlling your muscles
-heart disease
-high cholesterol
-history of breast cancer
-history of irregular heartbeat
-history of stroke
-liver disease
-low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts
-low blood pressure
-Parkinson''s disease
-seizures
-an unusual or allergic reaction to asenapine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-breast-feeding
What should I watch for while using Asenapine?
Visit your health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Tell your health care professional if symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Do not stop taking except on your health care professional''s advice. You may develop a severe reaction. Your health care professional will tell you how much medicine to take.
You may get dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
This medicine may increase blood sugar. Ask your health care provider if changes in diet or medicines are needed if you have diabetes.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water will help.
This drug can cause problems with controlling your body temperature. It can lower the response of your body to cold temperatures. If possible, stay indoors during cold weather. If you must go outdoors, wear warm clothes. It can also lower the response of your body to heat. Do not overheat. Do not over-exercise. Stay out of the sun when possible. If you must be in the sun, wear cool clothing. Drink plenty of water. If you have trouble controlling your body temperature, call your health care provider right away.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Keep this medicine in the original container. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
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