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Portal latinoamericano de toxicología

Adicción a antidepresivos

1 October, 2003
Estoy bajo tratamiento por depresión. Me gustaría que me informen los efectos secundarios de los medicamentos que estoy tomando, y si existe la posibilidad de que pueda convertirme en un adicto a los mismos. Los medicamentos que tomo son: trapax 2,5 (1 por día) fluoxetina (11/2 por día).

Nuestra sugerencia en estos casos es que le transmita su inquietud al médico que le indicó la medicación y le pida toda la información que Ud. considere necesaria. Por ejemplo, le mando la información (en inglés) que se considera indispensable en Estados Unidos dar a un paciente al indicar lorazepan (Trapax). Y le traduzco la frase relacionada con si puede producir adicción: "Este medicamento puede producir adicción (habit-forming)". Si UD siente que el medicamento no está actuando bien, no tome más la dosis prescripta y llame a su doctor para pedirle instrucciones.

PATIENT INSTRUCTIONS
LORAZEPAM (lor-A-ze-pam):
Treats anxiety, anxiety with depression, and insomnia (trouble sleeping). This medicine is a benzodiazepine.
BRAND NAME(S): Ativan(R), Alzapam(R), Lorazepam Intensol(R)
WHEN YOU SHOULD NOT USE THIS MEDICINE:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to lorazepam or to other medicines that are like lorazepam (such as Valium(R), Xanax(R), or Dalmane(R)).
HOW TO USE AND STORE THIS MEDICINE
Tablets, Oral Liquid:
– Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.
– You may take this medicine with or without food.
– Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup.
– Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not freeze.
– Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and never share your medicine with anyone.
If you miss a dose:
– If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If you are more than 1 hour late, skip the missed dose and wait until it is time for your next dose.
– Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
DRUGS AND FOODS TO AVOID:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
– Make sure your doctor knows if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy (such as sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain killers, or sedatives).
– Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine. Avoid drinking coffee, tea, or soft drinks that contain caffeine.
WARNINGS:
– Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have glaucoma, liver disease, or lung problems.
– This medicine may be habit-forming. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not take more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor for instructions.
– Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
– This medicine may make you drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
SIDE EFFECTS
Call your doctor right away if any of these side effects occur:
– Depression or severe confusion
– Severe drowsiness and weakness
– Slow heartbeat
– Trouble breathing
– Unsteadiness (having a hard time standing up)
If you have problems with these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor.
– Blurred vision or headache
– Dizziness, clumsiness, or trouble concentrating
– Dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation
– Feeling "hungover" in the morning after taking this medicine at bedtime
IF YOU HAVE OTHER SIDE EFFECTS THAT YOU THINK ARE CAUSED BY THIS MEDICINE, TELL YOUR DOCTOR.
LORAZEPAM (lo-RAZE-eh-pam) (INJECTION):
Treats anxiety and is sometimes used to treat or prevent nausea and vomiting. Belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines.
BRAND NAME(S): Ativan(R)
WHEN YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE:
Do not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to lorazepam.
HOW TO TAKE AND STORE THIS MEDICINE INTRAMUSCULAR (IM) INJECTION, INTRAVENOUS (IV) INJECTION:
– Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given.
– An IM injection is a shot given in your muscle (upper arm, thigh, buttocks). An IV injection is medicine that is put directly into your body through one of your veins.
– This medicine should be given by a person trained to give IV or IM medicine. Sometimes you, someone in your family, or a friend can be taught to give your
medicine.
– Store in a refrigerator, away from light. Do not freeze.
– Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.
IF YOU MISS A DOSE:
– If you take this medicine regularly, take the missed dose as soon as possible.
– Do not take two doses at the same time.
DRUGS AND FOODS TO AVOID:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other medicine, including over-the-counter products.
– Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.
– Make sure your doctor knows if you are also taking cimetidine (Tagamet(R)), phenobarbital, antidepressants, an MAO inhibitor (such as Nardil(R), Parnate(R), or Marplan(R)), a phenothiazine (such as Mellaril(R), Thorazine(R), or Stelazine(R)), or medicines that make you sleepy such as antihistamines,
sleeping pills, or narcotic pain-killers.
WARNINGS:
– Make sure your doctor knows if you have myasthenia gravis, liver disease, lung disease, or glaucoma.
– If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
– This medicine may make you sleepy. Avoid driving a car or using machinery.
SIDE EFFECTS
Call your doctor right away if you have any of these side effects:
– Trouble breathing
– Severe muscle weakness or trouble standing
– Slurred speech or severe drowsiness
If you have problems with these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor.
– Irritability or agitation
– Trouble concentrating or memory loss
– "Hangover" effects
– Drowsiness, dizziness, clumsiness
– Blurred vision
– Pain where the injection was given
IF YOU HAVE OTHER SIDE EFFECTS THAT YOU THINK ARE CAUSED BY
THIS MEDICINE, TELL YOUR DOCTOR.

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