Merine

Merine Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

The mechanism of action of maprotiline is not precisely known. It does not act primarily by stimulation of the central nervous system and is not a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. The postulated mechanism of maprotiline is that it acts primarily by potentiation of central adrenergic synapses by blocking reuptake of norepinephrine at nerve endings. This pharmacologic action is thought to be responsible for the drug's antidepressant and anxiolytic effects.

Merine is a tetracyclic antidepressant. Although its main therapeutic use is in the treatment of depression, it has also been shown to exert a sedative effect on the anxiety component that often accompanies depression. In one sleep study, it was shown that maprotiline increases the duration of the REM sleep phase in depressed patients, compared to imipramine which reduced the REM sleep phase. Merine is a strong inhibitor of noradrenaline reuptake in the brain and peripheral tissues, however it is worthy to note that it is a weak inhibitor of serotonergic uptake. In addition, it displays strong antihistaminic action (which may explain its sedative effects) as well as weak anticholinergic action. Merine also has lower alpha adrenergic blocking activity than amitriptyline.

Trade Name Merine
Availability Discontinued
Generic Maprotiline
Maprotiline Other Names Maprotilina, Maprotiline, Maprotilinum, Maprotylina
Related Drugs Rexulti, sertraline, trazodone, Lexapro, Zoloft, citalopram, Cymbalta, Prozac
Type
Formula C20H23N
Weight Average: 277.4033
Monoisotopic: 277.183049741
Protein binding

88%

Groups Approved, Investigational
Therapeutic Class Tricyclic Anti-depressant
Manufacturer
Available Country Taiwan
Last Updated: September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am
Merine
Merine

Uses

Merine hydrochloride tablets are used for the treatment of depressive illness in patients with depressive neurosis (dysthymic disorder) and manic depressive illness, depressed type (major depressive disorder). Merine is also effective for the relief of anxiety associated with depression.

Merine is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Anxiety, Depression, Dysthymic Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Manic depressive illness

How Merine works

Merine exerts its antidepressant action by inhibition of presynaptic uptake of catecholamines, thereby increasing their concentration at the synaptic clefts of the brain. In single doses, the effect of maprotiline on the EEG revealed a rise in the alpha-wave density, a reduction of the alpha-wave frequency and an increase in the alpha-wave amplitude. However, as with other tricyclic antidepressants, maprotiline lowers the convulsive threshold. Merine acts as an antagonist at central presynaptic α2-adrenergic inhibitory autoreceptors and hetero-receptors, an action that is postulated to result in an increase in central noradrenergic and serotonergic activity. Merine is also a moderate peripheral α1 adrenergic antagonist, which may explain the occasional orthostatic hypotension reported in association with its use. Merine also inhibits the amine transporter, delaying the reuptake of noradrenaline and norepinephrine. Lastly, maprotiline is a strong inhibitor of the histamine H1 receptor, which explains its sedative actions.

Dosage

Merine dosage

Adult: As hydrochloride: 25-75 mg daily in 3 divided doses, gradually increased in 25 mg increments at 1-2 wk intervals to 150 mg/day if necessary. Up to 225 mg/day in severely depressed patients.

Elderly: Initial: 25 mg daily. May increase slowly according to response to 50-75 mg daily if needed.

May be taken with or without food.

Side Effects

Dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, drowsiness, dizziness, tremor, nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, agitation, confusion, nausea, weakness and fatigue, headache, CV disorders, altered liver function, changes in blood glucose concentrations, allergic skin manifestations.

Toxicity

LD50=~900 mg/kg (Orally in rats); LD50=90 mg/kg (Orally in women); Signs of overdose include motor unrest, muscular twitching and rigidity, tremor, ataxia, convulsions, hyperpyrexia, vertigo, mydriasis, vomiting, cyanosis, hypotension, shock, tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, impaired cardiac conduction, respiratory depression, and disturbances of consciousness up to deep coma.

Precaution

Urinary retention, prostatic hyperplasia, chronic constipation, untreated angle-closure glaucoma; hyperthyroidism; risk of suicide; may precipitate mania or psychotic symptoms; withdraw gradually; may impair ability to operate machinery. Pregnancy and lactation; elderly.

Interaction

Close super vision and careful adjustment of dosage are required when administering maprotiline concomitantly with anticholinergic or sympathomimetic drugs because of the possibility of additive atropine like effects. Concurrent administration of maprotiline with electroshock therapy should be a voided because of the lack of experience in this area.

Caution should be exercised when administering maprotiline to hyperthyroid patients or those on thyroid medication because of the possibility of enhanced potential for cardiovascular toxicity of maprotiline.

Merine should be used with caution in patients receiving guanethidine or similar agents since it may block the pharmacologic effects of these drugs.

The risk of seizures may be increased when maprotiline is taken concomitantly with phenothiazines or when the dos age of benzodiazepines is rapidly tapered in patients receiving maprotiline.

Because of the pharmacologic similarity of maprotiline hydrochloride to the tricyclic antidepressants, the plasma concentration of maprotiline may be increased when the drug is given concomitantly with hepatic enzyme inhibitors (e.g., cimetidine, fluoxetine) and decreased by concomitant administration with hepatic enzyme inducers (e.g., barbiturates, phenytoin), as has occur red with tricyclic antidepressants. Adjustment of the dosage of maprotiline hydrochloride may therefore be necessary in such cases

Food Interaction

  • Limit caffeine intake.
  • Take with or without food.

[Moderate] GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of CNS-active agents.

Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and
MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving CNS-active agents should be warned of this interaction and advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol.

Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

Volume of Distribution

Merine and its metabolites may be detected in the lungs, liver, brain, and kidneys; lower concentrations may be found in the adrenal glands, heart and muscle. Merine is readily distributed into breast milk to similar concentrations as those in maternal blood.

Elimination Route

Slowly, but completely absorbed from the GI tract following oral administration.

Half Life

Average ~ 51 hours (range: 27-58 hours)

Elimination Route

Approximately 60% of a single orally administered dose is excreted in urine as conjugated metabolites within 21 days; 30% is eliminated in feces.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy Category B. Reproduction studies have been performed in female laboratory rabbits, mice, and rats at doses up to 1.3, 7, and 9 times themaximum daily human dose respectively and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to maprotiline. There are, however, no adequate and well controlled studies in pregnant women. Be cause animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.

Labor and Delivery: Although the effect of maprotiline on labor and delivery is unknown, caution should be exercised as with any drug with CNS depressant action

Nursing Mothers: Merine is excreted in breast milk. At steady-state, the concentrations in milk correspond closely to the concentrations in whole blood. Caution should be exercised when maprotiline hydrochloride is administered to a nursing woman.

Contraindication

Merine hydrochloride tab lets are contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to maprotiline and in patients with known or suspected seizure disorders. It should not be given concomitantly with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. A minimum of 14 days should be allowed to elapse after discontinuation of MAO inhibitors before treatment with maprotiline is initiated. Effects should be monitored with gradual increase in dosage until optimum response is achieved. The drug is not recommended for use during the acute phase of myocardial infarction.

Acute Overdose

Deaths may occur from overdosage with this class of drugs. Multiple drug ingestion (including alcohol) is common in deliberate overdose. As the management is complex and changing, it is recommended that the physician contact a poison control center for current information on treatment. Signs and symptoms of toxicity develop rapidly after overdose. There fore, hospital monitoring is required as soon as possible.

Storage Condition

Store at 20° to 25°C. Protect from light. Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container as defined in the USP using a child-resistant closure.

Innovators Monograph

You find simplified version here Merine

Merine contains Maprotiline see full prescribing information from innovator Merine Monograph, Merine MSDS, Merine FDA label

*** Taking medicines without doctor's advice can cause long-term problems.
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