Herbal Spotlight
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 Taking asenapine (Saphris)
Dear Patient,
Your health care provider has prescribed asenapine to control your symptoms associated with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The drug affects dopamine and serotonin levels, which is thought to control your symptoms. The brand name of this drug is Saphris.
How you'll take asenapine
Take this drug twice daily. Peel back the colored tab on the tablet pack, gently remove the tablet, place it under your tongue, and allow it to dissolve completely. Don't cut, crush, or chew the tablet, and don't eat or drink for 10 minutes after taking the drug.
What to do if you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for the next dose, just skip the missed dose. Don't try to make up doses. Don't take more than two doses per day.
What to do about side effects
Notify your health care provider if you experience side effects to this medication.
Common: drowsiness, headache, inability to sit still, insomnia.
Less common: anxiety, arm and leg pain, constipation, depression, distorted taste, dizziness, dry mouth, drooling, fatigue, high blood pressure, increased appetite, indigestion, irritability, joint pain, stomach discomfort, toothache, vomiting, weight gain.
What you must know about other medications
and alcohol
Tell any health care provider who takes care of you that you're taking this drug. There are drugs that could cause serious problems if you combine them with asenapine, including fluvoxamine, paroxetine, dextromethorphan, and some over-the-counter preparations. Drugs used to treat an abnormal heartbeat, such as quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone, sotalol, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, and levofloxacin, may increase the risk of life-threatening variations in heart rhythms. Blood pressure medications, such as doxazosin and terazosin, could place you at risk for low blood pressure.
Use of this drug with alcohol may cause increased mental changes.
Special directions
- Don't drive or operate dangerous machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while on this drug.
- You may feel light-headed or dizzy when first starting this drug. Get up slowly to avoid these complications.
- Your health care provider may monitor blood pressure, electrocardiograms, and various blood test results while you're on this drug.
Keep in mind
- It's unknown if this drug could affect an unborn baby. You should use contraceptive measures while you're on this drug. If you should become pregnant while taking this drug, consult with your health care provider.
- It's unknown how this drug could affect a nursing baby. Because of the potential for adverse effects, another method of feeding the baby should be used.
- Notify your health care provider if you develop restlessness, irritability, fever, sweating, muscle rigidity, a change in mental status, or irregular pulse or blood pressure.
- Avoid activities and situations that cause overheating or dehydration.
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