Domion (Agomelatine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Domion Used For?
Domion contains agomelatine and is prescribed to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder. It also helps prevent depression from returning after successful treatment.
Primary Uses
Domion treats depression symptoms like persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, feelings of worthlessness, sleep problems, and changes in appetite. It’s also used for generalized anxiety disorder, which involves chronic excessive worry, nervousness, irritability, sleep disturbances, concentration difficulties, and physical symptoms like fatigue or muscle tension.
How It Works
Domion helps regulate your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm), which provides positive benefits for mood and sleep in people with depression and anxiety. Depression often disrupts these natural daily patterns.
Good to know: Domion is not addictive and doesn’t cause withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it. Clinical studies showed it had no effect on sexual function.
How to Take Domion
Always take Domion exactly as your doctor prescribes. The medication should be taken in the evening at bedtime and can be taken with or without food.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is one tablet (25mg) at bedtime. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe two tablets (50mg) to be taken together at bedtime. Never take more than the maximum recommended dose of two tablets (50mg) daily. Don’t change your dose without your doctor’s advice, even if you feel better. Treatment for at least six months or longer provides the best opportunity for long-term recovery.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you forget to take your dose, skip the missed dose and take your next planned dose at the usual time. Don’t take a double dose to make up for the missed one. Leave the missed tablet in the strip and continue with the next day’s tablet as indicated on the calendar.
Important: Never take more than two tablets daily. The calendar on your tablet strip helps you remember when you last took a dose and track how much medication you have left.
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:
- headache
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- difficulty sleeping
- nausea
- diarrhea
- constipation
- abdominal pain
- back pain
- muscle pain
- tiredness
- abnormal dreams
- increased sweating
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- severe liver reactions (yellow skin/eyes, abnormal bleeding, confusion, loss of consciousness)
- severe allergic reactions (itching, rash, breathing difficulty, swelling of face/lips/tongue)
- suicidal thoughts or behavior
- mania or hypomania symptoms
- hepatitis or liver failure
Important Warnings
Several important safety considerations apply to Domion. Your doctor needs to know about your medical history and other medications before prescribing this medication.
Who Should Not Take Domion
Don’t take Domion if you’re allergic to agomelatine or any ingredients, have liver disease or impaired liver function, have liver enzyme levels more than 3 times the upper normal limit, are taking fluvoxamine or ciprofloxacin, or if the packaging is damaged or expired.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have bipolar disorder, mania, hypomania, dementia history, diabetes, are overweight or obese, take liver-affecting medications, drink excessive alcohol, or smoke more than 15 cigarettes daily. You may be at higher risk for liver problems with certain conditions.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Domion.
Age Restrictions: Domion is not recommended for children, adolescents under 18, elderly patients over 75 with major depression, or those over 65 with generalized anxiety disorder.
Drug Interactions
Some medications can interfere with Domion and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and supplements you’re taking.
- fluvoxamine (antidepressant) – do not take together
- ciprofloxacin (antibiotic) – do not take together
- propranolol (heart medication) – may increase Domion’s effects
Alcohol & Driving
Special precautions apply when taking Domion regarding alcohol consumption and activities requiring alertness.
Alcohol
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Domion. People who drink excessive amounts of alcohol should not take this medication, as excessive alcohol can cause liver problems and worsen depression or anxiety.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Make sure you know how you react to Domion before driving or operating machinery. Like all depression and anxiety medications, it may affect your ability to perform these activities safely.
Storage
Keep tablets in their original pack until it’s time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place below 30°C, away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Don’t store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on windowsills. Keep out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
If you think you’ve taken too much Domion, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Overdose symptoms may include stomach pain, drowsiness, tiredness, agitation, anxiety, dizziness, blue discoloration of skin or mucous membranes, and general feeling of being unwell. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some people may experience improvements within two to four weeks of starting treatment. However, people respond differently to medications, so don’t become discouraged if you don’t notice a difference right away. Treatment for at least six months or longer provides the best opportunity for long-term recovery.
Yes, Domion can be taken with or without food. Take it in the evening at bedtime as prescribed by your doctor.
No, Domion is not addictive. It also doesn’t cause discontinuation symptoms when you stop treatment and can be stopped without needing to gradually reduce the dose.
Unlike many other antidepressants, Domion doesn’t cause withdrawal symptoms when stopped. However, you should continue taking it until your doctor advises you to stop, even when feeling better, to help prevent depression or anxiety from returning.
It’s recommended to avoid drinking alcohol while taking Domion. People who drink excessive quantities of alcohol should not take this medication, as excessive alcohol may cause liver problems and make depression or anxiety worse.
Blood tests are needed to check your liver function because Domion is processed by the liver. Tests should be done before starting treatment, before any dose increase, and then around 3, 6, 12, and 24 weeks to ensure your liver continues to function properly.
Domion is not recommended for elderly patients over 75 with major depression or those over 65 with generalized anxiety disorder. Your doctor will determine if it’s appropriate based on your individual situation.
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.