Actions and Spectrum:
amoxapine is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) that blocks the brain’s reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin. It also has some antipsychotic effects due to its ability to block specific dopamine receptors.
The actions of amoxapine include:
- Antidepressant: amoxapine is primarily used to treat major depressive disorder. It helps elevate mood, reduce feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and improve energy levels.
- Antipsychotic: amoxapine can also treat certain types of psychosis, such as schizophrenia, due to its ability to block dopamine receptors.
- Anxiolytic: amoxapine can also have anxiolytic effects and help reduce anxiety symptoms.
- Sedative: amoxapine can cause drowsiness, which can be helpful for patients who have difficulty sleeping.
The spectrum of amoxapine’s side effects includes:
- Anticholinergic effects: amoxapine can cause dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and urinary retention due to its anticholinergic properties.
- Cardiovascular effects: amoxapine can cause orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure when standing up) and tachycardia (rapid heart rate).
- Neurological effects: amoxapine can cause tremors, seizures, and extrapyramidal symptoms (movement disorders such as dystonia or tardive dyskinesia).
- Other effects: amoxapine can cause weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and increased appetite.
