How to take Lofepramine
Keep your regular appointment with your doctor so your progress can be checked.
Take lofepramine exactly as directed by your doctor.
It may take several weeks before you begin to feel the benefits of this treatment.
Do not stop taking lofepramine without speaking to your doctor first. Stopping treatment suddenly can cause problems and your doctor will probably want to reduce your dose gradually.
Take lofepramine at the same times each day to avoid missing any doses. If you do forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember and take the next dose at the usual time. If it is almost time for your next dose, leave out the missed dose and continue taking it at the normal times.
Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of lofepramine contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
Lofepramine is for you. Never give it to others even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Getting the most from your treatment
Before taking any ?over-the-counter? medicines, check with your pharmacist which medicines are safe to take alongside lofepramine.
Lofepramine can cause drowsiness and blurred vision. Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert or able to see properly.
Try to avoid alcohol as it will increase feelings of drowsiness. If you do drink alcohol, drink only in moderation and be aware of its effects on you.
Before having any kind of surgery, including dental andemergency treatment, make sure you tell the doctor, dentist or surgeon that you are taking lofepramine.
Lofepramine can occasionally cause dry mouth. To relieve this, try chewing sugar-free gum, sucking ice or sugar-free sweets. If dry mouth becomes too troublesome, discuss the problem with your doctor.
Lofepramine may cause some people to sweat more than they usually do. If you experience this, take care not to become overheated during exercise or hot weather.
Lofepramine can cause some people to become more sensitive to sunlight than they usually are. Try to avoid sunlight and sunbeds or use a suncream higher than factor 15 until you know how your skin reacts.
If you have diabetes, make sure you check your blood sugar levels regularly as lofepramine can affect the levels of sugar in your blood.
Can Lofepramine cause problems?
Along with their needed effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.
Drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, difficulty urinating (passing water), sweating, feeling sick, a fast or fluttering heartbeat, shakiness, skin rashes, being easily excitable, confusion, sexual problems, increased appetite, weight gain, enlargement of the breasts or discharge from the nipples.
Important: If you experience the following symptoms contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Fever (high temperature), loss of consciousness, stiffness of the muscles, paleness of the skin, a fast heartbeat, incontinence (passing water without control from the patient) or jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes).
Hope this helps