Side Effects:

Common Dryness in mouth, Blurred vision, Sleepiness, Increased heart rate, Orthostatic hypotension (sudden lowering of blood pressure on standing), Weight gain, Difficulty in urination, Constipation.

Expert advice for Othipen Tablet
The main dose should be taken at night as this drug may produce drowsiness or sleepiness. It can take 4 to 6 weeks for Othipen to start working. You should continue the treatment for at least 6 months after you feel better to stop depression from coming back. If your doctor asks you to stop Othipen, you should reduce the dose slowly over 4 weeks. You should not discontinue it abruptly. Avoid driving or operating machinery as it may decrease alertness. Avoid consuming alcohol when taking the Othipen, as it may cause excessive drowsiness and calmness. The addiction/dependence potential of Othipen is very less. It may be extremely dangerous in overdose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is Othipen a sedative?
No. Othipen is an antidepressant (TCA) that is used to treat depression, nerve pain, and anxiety disorder. It can cause drowsiness or sedation as a side effect. Therefore caution is advised when driving or operating dangerous machinery and even when getting out of bed at night.

Q. Is Othipen a muscle relaxant?
No. Othipen is not a muscle relaxant. It is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) used in the treatment of depression, nerve pain, and anxiety disorder.

Q. What is the difference between Othipen and amitriptyline?
Othipen is chemically related to Amitriptyline and both are tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) medicine. There is overlap in pharmacological property of this medicine.

Q. Is Othipen the same as doxepin?
Othipen and doxepin are different medicines but belong to the similar chemical class. Doxepin, at low doses, can improve sleep in patients with insomnia. It is also available in the topical form for use in various neuro-dermatitis syndrome, especially itching.

Q. How to stop Othipen?
If your doctor asks you to stop Othipen, you should reduce the dose slowly over 4 weeks. You should not discontinue it abruptly. Sudden discontinuation may cause aggression, anxiety, blurred vision, concentration impairment, constipation and crying spell.

Q. Is Othipen fatal?
Yes. Othipen can be fatal (can cause death) in overdose. This is due to a life-threatening or dangerous side effect in overdose like hyperthermia, seizure, arrhythmia, tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension or sudden death. That's why it is generally not considered a first-line option for depression because of side effect profile.

Q. Can Othipen be used along with mirtazapine?
It is better to avoid Othipen with mirtazapine. Mirtazapine, which is used in the treatment of depression, can potentiate the sedative effects of Othipen.

Q. Can Othipen be used with citalopram?
No. Citalopram and Othipen both are the antidepressant. Citalopram may increase the high blood level of Othipen. This may lead to a life-threatening or dangerous side effect of hyperthermia, seizure, arrhythmia, tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension or sudden death.

Q. Can Othipen be used with sertraline?
No. Sertraline and Othipen both are the anti-depressant. Sertraline may increase the high blood level of Othipen. This may lead to a life-threatening or dangerous side effect of hyperthermia, seizure, arrhythmia, tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension or sudden death.

Q. Can I take Othipen with diazepam?
It is better to avoid this combination. Diazepam is a sedative drug and Othipen may cause sedation as a side effect too. Taking both of them together can increase the drowsiness or sleepiness. Inform your doctor if you are taking diazepam.

Q. Can Othipen be used in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia?
No. Othipen is not approved for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal or 5th cranial nerve, one of the most widely distributed nerves in the head.

Q. Can Othipen be used in the treatment of burning mouth syndrome?
No. Othipen is not approved for the treatment of burning mouth syndrome. Burning mouth syndrome is a painful condition of mouth that is burning, scalding, tingling or feeling of numbness that may occur every day for months or longer.

Q. Can I take Othipen for depression?
Yes. Othipen is indicated for the treatment of depression. It has a potential advantage in the patient with depression if associated with insomnia and anxiety. It is generally not considered a first-line option for depression because of side effect profile but very useful for severe or treatment-resistant depression.

Q. Can Othipen used to treat IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)?
No. Othipen is not approved for the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterised by chronic or recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort associated with altered bowel habits.

Q. Can Othipen be used to treat insomnia with depression?
Yes. Othipen may be used for the treatment of insomnia (too much arousal both at night and during the day) associated with depression. Because it can cause drowsiness or sedation as side effects, it is effective in treating insomnia associated with depression.

Q. Can I use Othipen for fibromyalgia?
Yes. Othipen is not approved for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a pain syndrome with tenderness but no structural pathology in muscles, ligamanets or joints.

Q. Can I use Othipen for nerve pain?
Yes. Othipen is indicated for the treatment of nerve pain/neuropathic pain. Chronic pain/Neuropathic pain is described as pain that arises from damage to, or dysfunction of, any part of peripheral or central nervous system. It is associated with the disease which can affect nerves like diabetes mellitus or herpes infections.