Tianeptine
Description
Tianeptine is an atypical antidepressant medicine used in the treatment of depression. This medicine is not recommended for use in patients below 18 years of age. This medicine may increase the risk of habit-forming tendency if taken for a long duration or at larger doses. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor. Abrupt discontinuation of therapy may cause withdrawal symptoms.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Tianeptine
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Sleeplessnes
- Skin Rash
- Drug abuse
- Drug dependence
Uses of Tianeptine
What is it prescribed for?
- Depression
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while receiving this medicine as it may increase the risk of adverse effects such as extreme drowsiness, confusion, vomiting, blurred vision, muscle stiffness, etc. Avoid performing activities that need high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if alcohol and this medicine are used together.
- Is it habit forming?Habit forming tendency has been reported, if used for a prolonged period of time.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to tianeptine or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO)
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) due to the increased risk of serious and life-threatening side effects. A time gap of at least 14 days should be maintained between stopping therapy with MAOIs and starting therapy with this medicine.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Liver disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with liver disease due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Regular monitoring of liver function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Kidney disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Regular monitoring of kidney function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Other medicines
Tianeptine may interact with many other medicines and may cause severe adverse effects. Hence, it is advised that you inform the doctor about all your current medicines including any herbs and supplements before beginning treatment with this medicine.
Driving or Operating machinery
Use of this medicine may cause blurred vision or dizziness in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.
Suicidal tendencies
This medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of suicidal tendencies. This risk is especially higher in young patients. Patients should be closely monitored for any change in mood or behavior. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Drug dependence and Drug abuse
This medicine has the potential to cause drug dependence and abuse. This risk is especially higher if the medicine is used for a prolonged period of time. Patients should be monitored closely for any change in mood and behavior during treatment with this medicine. Abrupt discontinuation is not recommended since it may cause withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal of therapy should be done gradually with close monitoring of the patient.
Inherited diseases
Some formulations of this medicine may contain sucrose as an excipient. Hence, it is not recommended for use in patients with fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrase/ isomaltase deficiency due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. An alternative treatment option should be considered in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while receiving this medicine as it may increase the risk of adverse effects such as extreme drowsiness, confusion, vomiting, blurred vision, muscle stiffness, etc. Avoid performing activities that need high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if alcohol and this medicine are used together.
Interaction with Medicine
Aceclofenac
Amoxapine
Amantadine
Cannabis
Iproniazid
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take this medicine as instructed by the doctor. Do not take in larger quantities than advised. Do not stop taking this medicine without informing the doctor as it may cause withdrawal symptoms like nausea and headache.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine is believed to work by increasing the concentration of certain chemicals in the brain which helps in relieving the symptoms of depression.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Tricyclic antidepressants
Schedule
Schedule H
Tianeptine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 19 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Mri.cts-mrp.eu. 2018 [cited 19 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Servier.ci. 2018 [cited 19 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Servier.com.ve. 2018 [cited 19 December 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 18 Feb 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.