Agomelatine tablets

About agomelatine

Agomelatine is an atypical antidepressant used to treat depression.

Depression is common and symptoms can affect day-to-day life and can become very distressing. Treatments include talking (psychological) treatments and antidepressant medicines.

Our bodies follow a daily cycle, called circadian rhythms, which control sleep and other functions. When these rhythms are disrupted, it can lead to depression. Agomelatine helps depression by restoring this natural balance.

The most common side effects of agomelatine are:

• Illamående.

• Diarré.

• Feeling dizzy, tired or sleepy.

• Huvudvärk

• Förstoppning.

• Magont.

• Sömnsvårigheter.

• Känner sig orolig.

• Increased sweating.

• Back pain.

You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Om du upplever några andra symtom som du tror kan bero på tabletterna, tala med din läkare eller apotekare för vidare råd.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking agomelatine it is important that your doctor knows:

• If you are under 18 or over 75 years of age.

• Om du är gravid eller ammar.

• Om du har några problem med hur din lever fungerar, eller om du har några problem med hur dina njurar fungerar.

• If you have ever had abnormally 'high' moods or dementia.

• If you regularly drink large amounts of alcohol.

• Om du tar några andra läkemedel. Detta inkluderar alla läkemedel som kan köpas utan recept, samt växtbaserade och komplementära läkemedel.

• Om du någonsin har haft en allergisk reaktion mot en medicin.

• Read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about agomelatine, and will also provide you with a full list of the side effects which you could experience from taking it.

• Take agomelatine exactly as your doctor tells you to. The usual dose is one tablet daily. This may be increased in some people to two tablets daily (taken together) after a couple of weeks.

• You should take the tablets at bedtime. The tablets can be taken either with or without food.

• If you forget to take a dose, do not worry, just take the next dose when it is due.
  

• It can take a week or two after starting the tablets before the effect begins to build up, and maybe a few weeks longer before you feel the full benefit from the treatment. Do not stop taking agomelatine after a few days, thinking it is not helping.

• Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is because your doctor will want you to have a blood test every few weeks to check that your liver is staying healthy.

  • Your doctor will also give you a booklet to read which explains about what symptoms to look out for as signs that the medicine could be harming your liver. There is a list of these symptoms in the section below on the problems which can be caused by agomelatine.

• While you feel depressed or are taking agomelatine, you may have thoughts about harming yourself or ending your life. It is very important that you tell your doctor about this straightaway if it happens to you.

• Taking agomelatine and alcohol is not recommended, so do not drink alcohol during your treatment with this medicine.

• Smoking can affect the amount of agomelatine in your body. Let your doctor know if you either start or stop smoking while you are taking agomelatine.

• Your doctor will ask you to carry on taking agomelatine for a while after you feel better. This is to stop your symptoms from returning.

• There are several types of antidepressants and they differ in their possible side effects. If you find that agomelatine does not suit you then let your doctor know, as another could be found that will suit you.

• Förvara alla läkemedel utom räckhåll och synhåll för barn.

• Förvara på en sval, torr plats, borta från direkt värme och ljus.
  

Is agomelatine a strong antidepressant?

Agomelatine is not considered a “strong” antidepressant in the traditional sense, but it can be effective for some people. It works differently to many other antidepressants, helping regulate sleep as well as mood.

Does agomelatine cause weight gain?

Agomelatine is less likely to cause weight gain than many other antidepressants. While changes in weight can happen for some people, they are not usually common side effects.

What class of drug is agomelatine?

Agomelatine belongs to a class of antidepressants known as melatonergic antidepressants. It works differently from SSRIs and SNRIs by acting on melatonin and serotonin receptors, which may help improve sleep patterns as well as mood.