Aurorix (Moclobemide)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Aurorix Used For?
Aurorix contains moclobemide and belongs to a group of medicines called antidepressants. It is specifically used to treat depression by working on your central nervous system.
Primary Uses
Aurorix is prescribed to treat depression. Your doctor may also prescribe it for other purposes not listed here.
How It Works
Aurorix works by affecting brain chemicals called amines, which are involved in controlling your mood. It belongs to a specific group of antidepressants called reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase A.
Age restriction: Do not give Aurorix to children or adolescents under 18 years of age as safety and effectiveness has not been established in this age group.
How to Take Aurorix
Take Aurorix exactly as your doctor has prescribed. The tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water after meals.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is between 300 mg and 600 mg per day. Take Aurorix morning and evening at the end of your meals. Continue taking it until your doctor tells you to stop, even when you feel well.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose at the usual time, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. If you remember soon after, take it as soon as you remember then go back to your normal schedule.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- disturbed sleep
- dizziness
- nausea
- headache
- dry mouth
- insomnia
- restlessness
- anxiety
- agitation
- feeling of confusion
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- paraesthesia
- constipation
- feeling of fullness
- upset stomach
- blurred vision
- skin rash
- flushing
- hypotension
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- thoughts or talk of death or suicide
- thoughts or talk of self-harm or harm to others
- any recent attempts of self-harm
- increase in aggressive behavior, irritability or agitation
- worsening of depression
- insomnia, nervousness, jittering
- mania or hypomania
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Aurorix should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Aurorix
Do not use if you are allergic to moclobemide or any ingredients, have severe confusion, or are taking certain medications including clomipramine, selegiline, bupropion, triptans, pethidine, tramadol, dextromethorphan, linezolid, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or tricyclic antidepressants.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, high blood pressure, personal or family history of bipolar disorder, mental illness other than depression, thyrotoxicosis, phaeochromocytoma, or rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, intend to become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or intend to breastfeed. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using Aurorix during these times.
Suicide risk: Tell your doctor immediately if you feel your depression has worsened or if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts. This is more likely to occur in young adults under 24 years of age during the first 1-2 months of treatment.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Aurorix and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
Serotonin syndrome risk: Taking Aurorix with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants may cause a serious reaction called serotonin syndrome, which can cause sudden increase in body temperature, high blood pressure and convulsions.
- cimetidine
- dextropropoxyphene
- proton pump inhibitors
- serotonin agonists (e.g. buspirone, sumatriptan)
- St. John’s Wort containing products
- opiates (e.g. morphine, fentanyl, codeine)
- adrenergics
- sibutramine
- other antidepressants (fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, trimipramine, maprotiline, venlafaxine, clomipramine, citalopram)
- metoprolol
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious with alcohol consumption and driving while taking Aurorix, as it can affect your ability to perform these activities safely.
Alcohol
Although drinking alcohol is unlikely to affect your response to Aurorix, your doctor may suggest avoiding alcohol while you are being treated for depression.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Aurorix affects you. Aurorix causes dizziness in some people at first.
Storage
Keep Aurorix in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them. Store in a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half meters above the ground, away from moisture, heat, sunlight, and where young children cannot reach it.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Aurorix, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia telephone 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Signs of overdose include nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, slurred speech, reduced reflexes and agitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most antidepressants take time to work, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t feel better right away. Some symptoms may improve in 1 or 2 weeks, but it can take up to 4 or 6 weeks to feel any real improvement.
Yes, Aurorix should be taken morning and evening at the end of your meals. The tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water after meals.
Do not stop taking Aurorix or lower the dose without first checking with your doctor. Even when you feel well, you will usually have to take Aurorix for several months or even longer to make sure the benefits will last.
Although drinking alcohol is unlikely to affect your response to Aurorix, your doctor may suggest avoiding alcohol while you are being treated for depression.
If you miss your dose at the usual time, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
Do not take any other medicines whether they require a prescription or not without first telling your doctor. Some medicines may interfere with Aurorix and affect how it works.
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Aurorix affects you. Aurorix causes dizziness in some people at first.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.