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Special Precautions
Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Endep or any
other medications.
Tell your doctor if:
- you or anyone in your family has or has ever had depression, bipolar
disorder (mood that changes from depressed to abnormally excited)
- mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood)
- if you or anyone in your family has thought about or attempted suicide
- you drink large amounts of alcohol
- if you have recently had a heart attack
- if you have or have ever had glaucoma
- an enlarged prostate
- difficulty urinating
- seizures
- an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)
- diabetes
- liver, kidney, or heart disease
- you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you
become pregnant while taking Endep, call your doctor immediately.
- If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or
dentist that you are taking Endep.
Endep may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you
know how this medication affects you. Remember that alcohol can add to the
drowsiness caused by this medication.
You should know that your mental health may change in unexpected ways, especially
at the beginning of your treatment and any time that your dose is increased or
decreased. These changes may occur at any time if you have depression or another
mental illness, whether or not you are taking Endep or any other medication. You,
your family, or your caregiver should call your doctor right away if you experience
any of the following symptoms:
- new or worsening depression
- thinking about harming or killing yourself or planning or trying to do so
- extreme worry
- agitation
- panic attacks
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- aggressive behavior
- irritability
- acting without thinking
- severe restlessness
- frenzied abnormal excitement
Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other medicines that cause drowsiness (eg,
sedatives, tranquilizers) while taking Endep. Endep will add to the effects
of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions
about which medicines are depressants.
Alcoholic beverages, hot weather, exercise, and fever can increase dizziness.
To prevent dizziness or fainting, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning.
Also, sit or lie down at the first sign of dizziness or weakness.
Involuntary and uncontrollable movements may develop in patients taking Endep.
Occurrence is highest among the elderly, especially women. The risk of developing
these involuntary movements and the likelihood they will become permanent are
increased with long-term use and with high doses. However, it is possible to
develop these symptoms after short-term use at low doses.
Contact your health care provider at once if any of the following occur:
- involuntary movements of the tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (eg, protrusion of tongue,
puffing of cheeks, puckering of mouth, chewing movements), sometimes accompanied by
involuntary movements of the arms and legs
Endep may cause sensitivity to sunlight. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun
and other ultraviolet light (eg, tanning beds). Use sunscreens and wear protective
clothing until tolerance is determined.
Do not become overheated in hot weather or during exercise or other activities
since heatstroke may occur.
Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery,
tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Endep.
Be sure that your family or caregiver knows which symptoms may be serious
so they can call the doctor when you are unable to seek treatment on your own.
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