Vanatrip

Vanatrip is an antidepressant drug under the tricyclic group, used to treat depression, generalized anxiety disorder, society anxiety disorder, panic disorder and other mood problems. This medication restores the balance of the brain chemicals to relieve the symptoms of depression and other mood disorders.

Read your medication guide and follow your doctor’s prescription at all times.

• Take Vanatrip orally/ by mouth before or after meals, 1-4 times a day per doctor’s prescription. If you are taking it once a day, make sure to take it at bedtime to reduce daytime sleepiness.
• Have a regular check- up with your doctor during the first 12 weeks of your treatment with this medication.
• Inform your doctor if you have increased suicidal thoughts while taking this medication, especially if you are 25 years old or younger.
• Caregiver and family members must be observant for possible changes in your mood or behavior while taking this medication.
• For persons who have diabetes, make sure you check your blood sugar level at all times because this drug makes it difficult for you to manage the level of your blood sugar. Notify your doctor about the result, he/she may adjust your anti- diabetic drug, diet and exercise program.
• Avoid over exposure to sunlight and other artificial sources of ultraviolet rays (i.e. tanning booth) because Vanatrip can make you hypersensitive to sunlight. As much as possible, wear protective clothes (i.e. long sleeves) or apply sunscreen when you are outdoors.
• Avoid alcohol intake and activities that require mental alertness such as driving, and operating machinery because this medication can cause drowsiness, dizziness and blurring of vision.
• Do not take MAO inhibitor drugs 2 weeks before, during and 2 weeks after Vanatrip treatment.
• Continue taking this medication on a regular schedule (same time of the day). Do not stop taking this medication abruptly or adjust the dosage without consulting your doctor.

Inform your doctor immediately if your condition aggravates or does not improve after 4 weeks of treatment.

Take your missed dose as soon as possible. However, make sure that the time interval between the missed and the next dose is not too close. Otherwise, stick with the regular schedule and leave out the missed dose. Do not double dose to cover up a missed dose. Record your missed dose and inform your doctor immediately if you missed several doses.

Vanatrip may interact with:

• Any medicine that will make you sleepy such as anti- allergy or cold medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxant, anti- anxiety and anti- seizure drugs
• MAO inhibitor (i.e. isocarboxazid, linezolid)
• Bronchodilators/decongestants (i.e. albuterol)
• Antiplatelet or blood thinner
• Non- steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs
• Medication for high blood pressure/ hypertension (i.e. clonidine)
• Reserpine
• Guanabenz
• Antiulcer (i.e. cimetidine)
• Fluconazole or other antifungal drugs
• Guinidine, amiodarone or other treatment drugs for irregular heartbeat
• Antidepressant (i.e. paroxetine, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine)
• Antibiotic (i.e. erythromycin)
• Anti- manic (i.e. lithium) and
• St. John’s Wort

Some drugs may either lessen the beneficial effects or worsen the side effects of Vanatrip. Likewise, Vanatrip may make some drugs less efficient or intensify their side effects.

Make sure to inform your doctor about all other drugs you are currently taking or using (prescribed and non-prescribed medications including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products) to check for possible drug interaction with Vanatrip.

Do not start new drugs or stop your medication without your doctor’s permission.

Side Effects: There are no side effects known aside from a possible allergic reaction in people who have previous or unknown hypersensitivity to the drug.

Watch out for signs of allergic reactions such as:

• Rash
• Itching
• Swelling

Before taking Vanatrip, tell your health care provider if you have/are:

• Any allergies to any substance, food or medication, particularly to amitriptyline (Vanatrip)
• Medical history or a present condition such as:
  • Eye disorder (i.e. glaucoma)
  • Heart problems or heart rhythm condition (i.e. QT prolongation)
  • Mental disorder (i.e. manic-depression or bipolar, schizophrenia)
  • Diabetes
  • Thyroid problem (i.e. overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism)
  • Problems with urination

• Pregnant, planning to get pregnant or currently breastfeeding a baby (Vanatrip is not known if it can harm the unborn child but it pass through breast milk that may harm the nursing child. The risks and benefits must be discussed with your doctor well before taking this medication).