Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S

Description

About

Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S is an anti-depressant belonging to a class of drugs known as noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants (NaSSA). It is prescribed to adults for the treatment of anxiety or obsessive-compulsive /panic disorders and other major depressive disorders. Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S is chemically composed of Mirtazapine, available as oral tablets to be taken strictly under a doctor’s prescription. 

Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S has a mood-stabilizing and calming/sedating effect which comes through its dual mechanism of action. It increases serotonin and norepinephrine release via antagonist effect on noradrenergic receptors. Also, it has a sedating effect through inhibition of Histamine receptors.

Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S can be prescribed to adults 18 years and above, the dosage of which depends on weight, age, the severity of the condition, patient’s response to the medicine, and their comorbidities.  Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S is started in low doses which are gradually increased.  It can take 4-6 weeks or sometimes longer for Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S to start showing effects. Abrupt withdrawal of Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S can cause withdrawal symptoms for which reason it is tapered down gradually before stopping the treatment altogether. The most common side effects of this medication are nausea, headache, drowsiness, and dizziness.

Indications

Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S is prescribed to adults and it is used in the treatment of:

• Depression
• Generalized Anxiety disorder 
• Panic disorder
• Social anxiety
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder

How does Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S work

Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S exerts its mood-elevating and calming effect mainly by two mechanisms. Mainly, it wields an inhibiting effect on presynaptic alpha-2 adrenoreceptors which enhance norepinephrine release, along with serotonin, both important neurotransmitters implicated in stress alleviation and mood elevation. 

Secondly, it also has antagonist activity on histamine receptors H1 which has a calming and sedative effect.

How to use Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S

Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S is available in the form of tablets. Swallow the tablet with a glass of water without chewing. In general, the treatment with Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S is started at the lowest effective dose which is gradually increased in potency as tolerance develops. Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S is usually prescribed to be taken once a day usually at night. This might be helpful for elderly patients particularly, those suffering from insomnia. Tolerance may develop with such drugs; dosage is titrated accordingly to match the effective dose.

Available Potency of Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S 

 Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S is available in tablet form in the following potencies:

• 15 mg
• 30 mg

Dosage

Adult Dose

• Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S is usually started at lower doses which may be increased gradually.
• Starting dose is 15 mg (or lower), once orally usually at night
• Dosage is gradually increased in increments of 15 mg weekly or 2 weeks
• Maximum safe dose: 45 mg/day

Pediatric Dose

• {product}} is not prescribed to children and adolescents under 18 years of age

Elderly dose

• Your doctor should set the most appropriate dose for you based on your medical history. Doses are adjusted according to a liver impairment or inadequate kidney function, or other serious conditions. Usually, for depressive disorders, it starts at 15 mg/day, once orally usually at night.
• Dosage is gradually increased in increments weekly or 2 weeks
• Maximum safe dose: 45 mg/day

Pregnancy use and lactation

Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S is FDA pregnancy risk category C which may have harmful effects on the unborn baby, therefore if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, please consult your doctor. Also, if you are breastfeeding, please consult your doctor before taking Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S. It should not be taken during pregnancy due to potentially harmful effects. 

Contraindications

Please inform your doctor if you have a history of any before using Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S:

• Allergic reaction to Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S or similar drugs
• Patients aged below 18 years 
• History of taking MAO inhibitors within the last 14 days 
• Glaucoma (drug can cause increased intraocular pressure in the eye)
• History of suicidal tendency 
• Liver impairment

Precautions‌ ‌

Please‌ ‌tell‌ ‌your‌ ‌doctor‌ ‌about‌ ‌any‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌following‌ ‌conditions‌ ‌while‌ ‌using‌ ‌Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S:‌ ‌

• In case of kidney disease before starting the treatment with ‌Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S check creatinine levels, which must be monitored during the treatment as well.
• Compromised liver function can also reduce the amount of being removed from the body, in case of a liver disease discuss with your doctor
• In case you have been on antidepressants “MAO inhibitors” wait for at least 2 weeks before starting therapy with ‌Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S 
• Please inform your doctor if you have been taking any other antidepressants, this may put you at risk of serotonin syndrome (characterized by mental confusion, palpitations, restlessness, muscle stiffness, etc.)
• In diabetic patients, ‌Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S may interfere with blood sugar levels, monitor your sugar levels regularly during the therapy
• Elderly patients (65 years and above) should exercise caution, dose adjustment may be done by the doctor
• Alcohol consumption potentiates the side effects, it must be avoided with ‌Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S
• Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S has a slow onset of therapeutic effects and may take up to 4-6 weeks 
• ‌Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S has sedative effects which may induce drowsiness, avoid driving/riding a bike or operating any heavy machinery, or sharp tools till you feel better
• While on treatment with ‌Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S patients must be monitored closely for any unusual behavioral changes

Interaction with other medications

Certain medications could interact with Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S and may increase or decrease its absorption, in which case, your doctor might alter your dosage. A few of these interacting drugs are given below:

• MAO Inhibitors (isocarboxazid, Selegiline, etc.)
• Analgesics (certain NSAIDs, aspirin)
• Antidepressants like amitriptyline 
• SSRI anti-depressants like fluoxetine, duloxetine 
• Macrolide antibiotics (clarithromycin/erythromycin) 
• Lithium 
• Antivirals such as ritonavir 
• Antifungal ketoconazole 
• Hypoglycemics like rosiglitazone
• Cimetidine 

Adverse effects

Like most medicines, Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S has some side effects which include:

Common Side effects

• Nausea 
• Headache 
• Fatigue 
• Drowsiness 
• Dizziness
• Agitation 
• Xerostomia (dry mouth)

Rare side effects

• Hypersensitivity reaction
• Lethargy
• Weight gain
• Constipation
• Joint/ back pain
• Anxiousness 
• Palpitations 
• Hallucinations
• Muscle twitching 
• Altered blood cell count
• Increased aggression 
• Memory issues
• Nightmares 
• Hyponatremia (which may manifest as confusion, weakness, slurring of speech, etc.)
• Anti-depressant induced sexual dysfunction 
• Altered white blood cells count 
• Altered blood sugar levels

List Of How to Deal With Adverse Effects

• Dry Mouth- Can be helped by sipping water throughout the day, chewing sugarless gum and using alcohol-free mouthwash, allowing ice to melt in the mouth, or using a saliva substitute.
• Fatigue- Patients experiencing this adverse effect are advised to take deep breaths, intake tea or coffee, get a good night’s rest, and not overburden themselves for a few days.
• Feeling drowsy -If the medication makes you feel drowsy or sleepy, stop what you’re doing and sit or lie down until you feel better, and do not rise too fast or immediately from a sitting or lying down position to a standing posture. Do not drive or use tools or machinery in case of any of these effects.
• Headaches- In which case make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid the use of alcohol. Take a prescribed painkiller. Consult your doctor if the headaches last longer than a week or are severe
• Feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting) or diarrhea –Avoid eating rich or spicy food. It might help to take medication after food. If you’re sick, try drinking small, frequent sips of water. 
• Feeling dizzy (lightheaded) or weak –If the medication makes you feel dizzy or weak, stop what you’re doing and sit or lie down until you feel better, and do not rise too fast or immediately from sitting or lying down position to a standing posture. Do not drive or use tools or machinery in case of any of these effects.
• Muscular Aches and Pains- A hot or cold compress can be placed at the area of discomfort to bring relief; an over-the-counter pain reliever such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can be ingested to bring ease as well. Avoid high-intensity exercise while suffering from muscular pain.
• Constipation- Can be combated by adding more fibers to the patient’s diet, asking the patient to drink plenty of fluids, and increasing their physical activity to trigger contractions in the intestines.
• Flatulence- This can be eased by consuming smaller, more frequent meals that don’t trigger your flatulence. Getting a minimum of 30 minutes of daily exercise has shown great results in combating flatulence. 
• Skin Rash- can be eased by applying soothing and healing lotions or creams such as calamine lotion/cream. Apply a cold compress to the rash to help reduce itchiness and redness caused by the rash. An antihistamine (prescribed by a doctor) is also recommended as an effective way to combat any skin rash.
• Dry Cough – Can be eased by adding honey to warm drinks and having oral lozenges, to provide soothing relief to an irritated throat. Ginger tea has been known to decrease inflammation of an irritated throat thus, providing relief.
• Blurred vision- this side effect tends to go away on its own in a few days; patients are advised to not operate heavy machinery or drive any motorized vehicles in the meantime. If blurred vision persists, please contact your doctor.
• Dehydration- Patients are recommended to always care around a water bottle with them wherever they go and periodically keep sipping to prevent thirst and extremely dry mouth. Ice pops in hot weather and energy drinks (verified by the doctor) help combat dehydration.
• Flu-like symptoms- To manage symptoms, patients are advised to drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest and sleep. Take an antihistamine, a nasal decongestant, or a lozenge to feel better when needed.
• Dryness- apply a moisturizer to the skin and wait for 10-15 minutes after which apply Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S onto the skin. This will prevent skin from getting dry and flaky.
• Redness Of the Skin- This can be combated by applying a cold pack to the affected area.
• Fever- patients are asked to ingest over the counter painkillers (such as Paracetamol), partake in plenty of fluids, and rest for a couple of days till the symptoms pass
• Sore throat – Can be eased by adding honey to warm drinks and having oral lozenges, to provide soothing relief to an irritated throat. Ginger tea has been known to decrease inflammation of an irritated throat thus, providing relief

KEY FACTS

• Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S is prescribed to It is prescribed to adults for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive /panic disorders, anxiety, and other major depressive disorders
• Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S has a mood-stabilizing and sedating effect
• Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S is not prescribed to pregnant or lactating women
• A tablet of Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S is prescribed per day usually taken at night
• Alcohol intake is not recommended while undergoing treatment with Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S
• Although it is not addicting but Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S should not be stopped abruptly to avoid withdrawal symptoms
• Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S is not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age
• Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S may cause common side effects such as dry mouth, stomach problems, drowsiness, and dizziness

FAQs

Q. WHAT EXACTLY DOES Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S DO?

It is an anticonvulsant used to treat partial seizures, symptoms of depression in bipolar disorder inhibiting signal transmission in the brain producing excitation and as a result uncontrolled movement

Q. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S TO START WORKING?

Normally it takes 4-6weeks or more for Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S to show its full effects.

Q. HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO TAKE Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S FOR?

Time duration depends on why you’re taking Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S. Consult your physician for this, Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S can be taken for longer periods.

Q. CAN I STOP TAKING Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S?

Do not just stop taking the medicine, make sure to complete your treatment course even if you feel better. Stopping it suddenly may cause withdrawal problems like difficulty sleeping, nausea, vomiting, irritability, sweating, and uncontrollable muscle movements. 

Q. IS Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S HIGHLY ADDICTIVE?

No, it is not considered to be highly addictive; but still, drug abuse (self-prescription for emotional healing) and overdosing are possible. Stopping the medicine abruptly can cause undesirable withdrawal symptoms.

Q. CAN I DRINK ALCOHOL WITH Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S?

Consuming alcohol when taking Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S may cause excessive drowsiness and could increase the risk of liver damage, hence should be avoided.

Q. WHAT IF I TAKE TOO MUCH OF Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S?

If you have taken too much of the prescribed Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S you may experience symptoms of overdose, for example, fast pounding, irregular heartbeat, upset stomach, blurred vision, fainting, dizziness, seizures, or a life-threatening skin rash. Contact your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms. 

Q. WHAT IF I FORGET TO TAKE Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S?

Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S is taken once a day you can take the missed dose as soon as you remember unless it’s less than 12 hours until your next dose, in which case you should skip the missed dose. If it helps to remind you, set an alarm or use a pill organizer or a mobile application so you do not miss any dose. Make sure to complete your course of treatment even if you feel better and think you do not need to take it anymore.

Q. CAN I TAKE Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S DURING PREGNANCY OR BREASTFEEDING?

Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S has a safety concern for pregnant and lactating females. If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, please consult your doctor before using Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S. If you are breastfeeding, please consult your doctor before taking Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S. 

Q. CAN THE USE OF Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S CAUSE DROWSINESS?

It causes drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue (tiredness), and visual disturbances. If you experience any of these symptoms avoid driving or operating heavy machinery or sharp tools.

Q. WILL Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S AFFECT MY BLOOD PRESSURE?

Generally, high pressure is not a common side effect seen with Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S but abrupt discontinuation of this drug can cause a sudden increase in blood pressure and palpitations

Q. CAN I DRIVE OR RIDE A BIKE AFTER TAKING Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S?

Usually Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S is known to cause drowsiness and dizziness so make sure you know how your body reacts while using ‘product’. Do not drive or use any machinery until you feel normal again

Q. HOW SHOULD Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S BE STORED?

Store it at room temperature, away from excess heat, direct sunlight, and moisture. Make sure it is not consumed by pets, children, and other people. Dispose of the unused medicine. 

Q. CAN Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S AFFECT MY SEXUAL ACTIVITY?

Sexual dysfunction may occur with Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S in some patients. It may cause a decrease in libido in some patients. You must discuss this with your consultant before starting. 

Q. WILL IT AFFECT MY FERTILITY?

Anti-depressants are associated with decreased libido however, there is no adequate evidence regarding it affecting fertility in males and females. But mirtazapine contained in Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S can increase prolactin levels (a hormone secreted in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers). Make sure to discuss this with your doctor before starting the treatment

Q. WILL I HAVE TO UNDERGO ANY TESTS?

If you have chronic kidney disease, your physician might want to assess your creatinine clearance and kidney function. Also Nassa 15mg Tablet 10 ‘S may alter your blood sugar levels, it is advised to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly if you are diabetic.