Agomelatine
About Agomelatine
Agomelatine is an oral prescription medication primarily used to treat major depressive episodes in adults. It works by targeting specific receptors in the brain to help improve your mood and relieve the emotional weight of depression. By regulating your natural biological rhythms, it helps you regain control over your daily routine.
This medicine must be taken consistently every day, preferably at bedtime, to achieve the best results. You can take it with or without food, but keeping a regular schedule is key to its success. Making positive adjustments, such as maintaining a steady sleep routine and eating balanced meals, can greatly support your recovery.
While taking Agomelatine, some people may experience mild side effects like headaches, sleepiness, or mild stomach upset. However, it is vital to contact your doctor immediately if you experience signs of liver damage, such as yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark urine, or unusual stomach pain.
Do not take this if you have any existing liver problems or if your liver is not functioning properly. It is also not recommended for elderly individuals who have dementia. Always discuss your complete medical history with your doctor before starting this treatment.
This medicine can interact with certain antibiotics, other antidepressants, alcohol, and smoking, which can either increase your risk of side effects or make the treatment less effective. If you are pregnant, planning to breastfeed, or are an older adult, talk to your doctor to ensure this medicine is safe for your specific situation.
Uses of Agomelatine
Medicinal Benefits
Agomelatine helps manage depression by improving mood, restoring healthy sleep patterns, and reducing associated anxiety symptoms. By supporting emotional wellbeing without causing excessive daytime sedation, it helps improve the overall quality of life.
- Helps Improve Mood and Emotional Wellbeing: By balancing brain chemicals involved in mood regulation, Agomelatine helps relieve symptoms of depression and supports a more stable emotional state.
- Supports Healthy Sleep Without Daytime Drowsines: Agomelatine helps restore normal sleep patterns, allowing for more restful nights while helping you remain alert and active during the day.
- Reduces Anxiety and Supports Long-Term Treatment: In addition to improving mood, Agomelatine helps reduce anxiety symptoms that often accompany depression. It is also associated with a lower risk of certain side effects, such as sexual dysfunction and withdrawal symptoms, when taken and discontinued under medical supervision.
Directions for Use
- Agomelatine can be taken with or without food as advised by your doctor.
- Adhere to your doctor’s guidance regarding the dosage and timing of this medication for optimal effectiveness.
- Swallow Agomelatine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Agomelatine
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Headache
- Dizziness or sleepiness
- Upset stomach, nausea, or diarrhea
- Feeling unusually tired
Serious Side Effects (Consult a doctor right away):
- Signs of liver damage (such as yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, or severe pain in the upper right side of your stomach)
- Severe allergic reactions (such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing)
- Sudden, unexplained changes in behaviour or worsening thoughts of self-harm
Drug Warnings
- Ensure you get your liver function blood tests done before starting treatment, and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 weeks as directed by your doctor.
- Take this medication immediately before going to bed.
- Avoid driving or operating machinery if you experience dizziness or drowsiness after taking your dose.
- Never stop taking this medicine suddenly without consulting your doctor first, even if your symptoms improve.
- Keep a close eye on your physical health and report any sudden upper-stomach pain, yellowing skin, or dark urine immediately.
Drug Interactions
- Fluvoxamine and ciprofloxacin: Do not take Agomelatine with fluvoxamine (used to treat depression) or ciprofloxacin (an antibiotic), as these medicines can significantly increase the levels of Agomelatine in your bloodstream, raising the risk of serious side effects. Your doctor may recommend an alternative medicine or closer monitoring.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionConsumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with this Agomelatine due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects including liver damage.
Pregnancy
cautionAgomelatine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Your doctor will determine the best course of treatment after evaluating the potential risks and benefits associated with the use of this medicine.
Breast Feeding
cautionAgomelatine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
Driving
cautionAgomelatine may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Liver
cautionAgomelatine should be used with caution in patients who are at risk of liver injuries such as diabetic patients, obese or overweight patients, etc., due to the increased risk of liver damage. Regular assessment of liver function is necessary before initiating the therapy with this medicine and during the therapy. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Kidney
cautionAgomelatine should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Agomelatine is recommended. However, talk to your doctor if you have any underlying kidney disease.
Children
cautionAgomelatine is not recommended for use in patients less than 18 years of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid alcohol completely, as it increases the risk of liver damage and exacerbates sleep issues.
- Maintain a strict sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
- Incorporate light physical activity, like a 30-minute walk, during daytime hours to boost natural endorphins.
- Limit caffeine, energy drinks, and heavy meals in the hours leading up to bedtime.
- Avoid smoking, as tobacco use can alter how your body processes this medicine.
Special Advise
You may need regular blood tests to monitor your liver and kidney functions while you are taking this medication.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Major depression disorder, also referred to as clinical depression, is a significant medical condition that can affect many areas of your life. It impacts mood and behaviour as well as various physical functions. Symptoms include fatigue or loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness or guilt almost every day, impaired concentration, indecisiveness, insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping), restlessness or feeling slowed down, recurring thoughts of death or suicide, significant weight loss or gain (a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month). The exact cause of major depressive disorder isn’t known. However, there are several factors that can increase your risk of developing the condition, like genes, stress and hormonal imbalance.
FAQs
Agomelatine used for the treatment of symptoms of depression. It may also be used to prevent the relapse of depression symptoms. This medicine helps in regulating the body clock (circadian rhythm) with positive benefits on mood and sleep in patients suffering from depression.
Common side effects of Agomelatine are headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia (difficulty in sleeping), back pain, abdominal pain, change in body weight, diarrhea, constipation, sleepiness, Increased liver enzymes in some cases. Most of these side effects of Agomelatine do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, stop the medicine and please consult your doctor.
No, do not stop Agomelatine suddenly is unlikely to cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, but you may become unwell again.so please consult your doctor before stopping the Agomelatine.
Yes, Agomelatine may cause drowsiness or affect concentration and co-ordination. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid driving or any other activities that require mental alertness after taking Agomelatine.
Agomelatine should be used with extreme caution due to the increased risk of suicidal tendencies. 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.
Agomelatine works by altering the levels of certain chemicals in the brain, which helps in regulating the body clock (circadian natural cycle of physical, mental, and behavioural changes that the body goes through in a 24-hour cycle) with positive benefits on mood and sleep in patients suffering from depression.
Before starting treatment with Agomelatine, inform your doctor if you are allergic to any of ingredients in Agomelatine, if you have a history of bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania, if your liver does not function properly (e.g., non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), or if you are taking fluvoxamine (an antidepressant) or ciprofloxacin (an antibiotic).
Yes, Agomelatine can potentially damage your liver, especially if you already have liver problems. Inform your doctor immediately if you notice unusual darkening or any changes in the colour of your urine, light-coloured stools, yellowing of the skin or eyes, pain in the upper right part of your abdomen, or unusual fatigue, as these could be signs of liver problems.
If your doctor changes your previous antidepressant to Agomelatine, they will guide you on how to safely discontinue the previous medication while starting Agomelatine. You may experience withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, numbness, trouble sleeping, feelings of anxiety or restlessness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, or shaking. These symptoms are usually mild to moderate and should resolve on their own within a few days. If your symptoms worsen, inform your doctor right away.
Store Agomelatine in its original package to protect it from moisture. This medicine doesn't need special temperature conditions. Keep it out of sight and reach of children.
No, Agomelatine is not recommended for children below 18 years of age, as its safety and efficacy have not been established for this age group.
You should take Agomelatine at bedtime, as it is designed to help regulate your sleep-wake cycle while treating depression. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about your routine.
No, you should avoid alcohol. It can increase your risk of liver damage and make you feel excessively sleepy. Talk to your doctor if you find it difficult to avoid alcohol.
This medicine can affect your liver. Regular blood tests are necessary to monitor your liver enzymes and ensure the medicine is safe for you to continue. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about when to schedule these tests.
Unlike some other antidepressants, Agomelatine is not commonly associated with significant weight gain. However, if you notice unexpected changes in your weight, talk to your doctor.
If you forget to take your dose at bedtime, simply skip the missed dose and take your next dose at your usual bedtime the following night. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have concerns.
The safety of this medicine during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not fully established. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the potential risks and benefits before starting treatment.
