Agoviz 25mg Tablets

Agomelatine is an antidepressant used to treat depression in adults. It aims to gradually ease symptoms such as low mood, loss of interest, poor sleep and feeling slowed down.

Most people notice it start to work within about 2 weeks. Treatment usually continues for at least 6 months to keep depression from returning.

Take it exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you, usually at bedtime.

• Swallow the tablet with a drink of water, with or without food.
• If you miss a dose, skip it and take the next one at the usual time. Never take a double dose.
• Do not stop taking it without your doctor's advice, even if you feel better.
• Go to all your liver blood tests. They are normally done before starting, after about 3, 6, 12 and 24 weeks, and again if the dose is increased.

Side effects are usually mild and happen in the first 2 weeks. Common ones include:

• headache, dizziness or sleepiness
• trouble sleeping or unusual dreams
• feeling sick, being sick, diarrhoea, constipation or tummy pain
• back pain, tiredness, anxiety or weight gain

Get medical help straight away if you have:

• dark pee, pale poo, yellow skin or eyes, pain in the upper right tummy or unusual tiredness (possible liver damage)
• thoughts of harming yourself
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or a severe rash
• very high mood or excitement (mania), or hallucinations

Do not take it if you have liver problems or if you take fluvoxamine or ciprofloxacin.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:

• take medicines that can affect the liver, propranolol or enoxacin
• are overweight or have diabetes
• have bipolar disorder or have had mania
• have dementia or kidney problems
• smoke more than 15 cigarettes a day
• are intolerant to some sugars (it contains lactose)

It should not be used by people aged 75 or over, or by children and teenagers.

No special storage conditions are needed. Keep out of the sight and reach of children and do not use after the expiry date.

Liver: rare but serious liver injury has been reported. Seek urgent advice if you notice signs of liver problems.

Mood: contact a doctor or go to hospital straight away if you have thoughts of harming yourself, especially early in treatment or if you are under 25.

Alcohol: it is best not to drink alcohol.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: ask your doctor before taking it. Breastfeeding should be stopped during treatment.

Driving: it may make you dizzy or sleepy, so check your reactions are normal before driving.