Asenapine

U.S. Brand Names

Saphris®

Pharmacologic Category

Antimanic Agent; Antipsychotic Agent, Atypical

What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?

There is an increased chance of death in elderly people who take this medicine for dementia.

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to asenapine or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you are breast-feeding.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat manic depression.

• This medicine is used to treat schizophrenia.

• It may take 6 weeks to see the full effect.

How does it work?

• Asenapine helps clear your thinking.

• It works on improving social interactions, mood, expression of mood, as well as, delusions, paranoia, and appearance.

• It is a mood stabilizer.

How is it best taken?

• Sublingual tablet: Place under tongue and let dissolve.

• Do not swallow whole.

• Do not chew or crush.

• Do not eat or drink for at least 10 minutes after taking this medicine.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.

• If you have diabetes, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have a family history of diabetes, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you are overweight, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have Parkinson's disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have seizures, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines and natural products that slow your actions and reactions. These include sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, antihistamines, and other pain medicine.

• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Be careful in hot weather. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.

• Headache.

• Nervous and excitable.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.

• Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Weight gain.

• High blood sugar. Usually reverses when stopped.

• Inability to sleep.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Check blood sugar as directed by healthcare provider.

• Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.

• Dry mouth may cause an increase in cavities. Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• If you are planning to harm yourself or the desire to harm yourself increases.

• Severe dizziness or passing out.

• Significant change in balance.

• Shakiness, difficulty moving around, or stiffness.

• Very nervous and excitable.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Increased trips to the bathroom, increased thirst, or weight loss.

• For females, menstrual changes. These include lots of bleeding, spotting, or bleeding between cycles.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2009-08-14 09:13:43.0

Modified: 2009-10-12 10:57:44.0

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