Melitracen - Indications, Dosage, Side Effects and Precautions

Melitracen Medication Information

Learn everything you need to know about Melitracen-pronunciation, uses, dosage guidelines, indications, and when to take or avoid it.

Get up-to-date information on side effects, precautions, warnings, and proper storage to ensure safe usage.

Explore Melitracen brand names commonly used in India and internationally, along with detailed pricing information. Consult your healthcare provider for tailored medical advice.

Generic Name : Melitracen Pronunciation : Me-litra-cen Therapeutic Classification : Psychotherapeutics

Brand Names or Trade Names of Melitracen

India :

Overview of Melitracen

• Melitracen is a tricyclic antidepressant that is used mainly to treat depression and anxiety.

Why is Melitracen Prescribed? (Indications)

Melitracen is prescribed to treat depression and anxiety.

It is also available as a combination drug along with flupentixol which is indicated for different types of depression (psychogenic, masked, menopausal, in alcoholics), depressive neuroses, psychosomatic affections accompanied by anxiety and apathy, and dysphoria in alcoholics. It is also given as a maintenance dose in psychogenic depressions and other psychoses.

Melitracen comes under the category of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) which act by decreasing re-uptake of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and serotonin at the nerve synapse. This causes a high concentration of the neurotransmitters in the next neuron causing an antidepressant effect. Melitracen acts similarly as other TCAs regarding efficacy against depression and anxiety. It has an added advantage of improved tolerability and a slightly faster onset of action.

When should Melitracen not be taken? (Contraindications)

Melitracen is contraindicated in patients with

• Hypersensitivity to the drug
• Myocardial infarction
• Narrow-angle glaucoma
• Bipolar disorder
• Epilepsy
• Who received monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) within two weeks

For those using the combination drug, it is contraindicated in patients:
• In the immediate recovery phase after myocardial infarction
• With defects in bundle-branch conduction
• With untreated narrow-angle glaucoma
• With acute alcohol, barbiturate and opiate intoxications
• Who received monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) within two weeks

The combination is not recommended for excitable or overactive patients since its activating effect may excite them more.

What is the dosage of Melitracen?

The recommended dose of melitracen hydrochloride is

Adults: 25 mg tablet up to two or three times daily. The dose can be gradually increased to a total of 225 mg daily if necessary.
Elderly patients: Reduced doses of 25 or 30 mg daily initially

The recommended dose of melitracen and flupentixol combination drug is

Adults: Dose of 10 mg melitracen and 500 mg flupentixol orally in the morning and at midday. Morning dose can be doubled for severe cases.

Elderly patients:Adult dose is appropriate but only once in the morning. Only in severe cases, the dose has to be given in the afternoon too.

• When withdrawing the drug, do it gradually to reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms.

How should Melitracen be taken?

• Melitracen is available in an oral form as melitracen hydrochloride tablet (melitracen hydrochloride 28.1 mg is equivalent to about 25 mg of melitracen) and should be taken by mouth with a glass of water.

What are the side effects of Melitracen?

Rare in the recommended doses

Central nervous system: A headache, drowsiness, anxiety, insomnia 
Gastrointestinal: Dry Mouth, weight gain, nausea, upset stomach, decreased appetite, diarrhea
Ophthalmological: Blurred vision
Others: Weakness, difficulty in breathing, sweating 

Side-effects of the combination drug:

Central nervous system: Restlessness, insomnia, hypomania, dizziness, tremor, visual disturbances, headache, extrapyramidal symptoms
Others: Hyperprolactinemia

What are the other precautions for Melitracen?

• Complete the entire dose of the drug prescribed by the doctor

What are the Drug Interactions of Melitracen?

Flupentixol-melitracen combination -

• Enhances responses of alcohol, barbiturates, and other CNS depressants when taken together
• When taken along with MAO inhibitors, can cause hypertensive crisis

What are the storage conditions for Melitracen?

• Melitracen should be stored at room temperature in a cool, dry place.
• Protect from light.