APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL Tablet 10's

Introduction About APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET

APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET contains Apomorphine which belongs to the group of medicines called Dopamine agonists. It is used to manage erectile dysfunction in men which occurs due to inability to achieve and sustain an erection during sexual intercourse which is generally characterized by symptoms such as reduced sexual desire, low self-esteem, depression and distress in affected men.

APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET is not recommended for use in patients who are allergic to Apomorphine. It is also not recommended for use in patients with heart diseases (such as severe chest pain, recent heart attack and severe heart failure) and severe low blood pressure.  

It should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases (such as hepatic insufficiency) and kidney diseases (such as mild, moderate or severe renal insufficiency).

This medicine is not recommended for use in women, children and adolescents (below 18 years of age) and should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged above 65 years).  

The common side effects associated with the use of APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET are headache, dizziness, sleepiness, flushing, indigestion and nausea. Consult your doctor if any of the side effect worsens.

Uses Of APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET

• Manage erectile dysfunction in men

How APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET Works

APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET works by acting as an agonist to dopamine (a neurotransmitter) which enhance its action by binding to the selective dopamine receptors in the brain that leads to stimulation of brain region which controls motor actions in the penis thus resulting in managing erectile dysfunction in affected men during sexual intercourse.

How to use APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET

Take APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET as advised by your physician. Drink a small amount of water before taking the medicine to optimise the dissolution of the medicine.

Place the medicine under the tongue to get it dissolved completely (usually takes 10 minutes), approximately 20 minutes prior to sexual activity. Do not crush or chew the medicine. If any residue remains in the mouth even after 20 minutes, it may be swallowed.

Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight and general health condition.  

Side Effects Of APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET

How To Manage Side Effects

Headache:

Drink ample amount of water and avoid skipping meals. Get adequate rest. Try to be relaxed and stress free. Apply pain relieving balm on your forehead if necessary. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve.

Dizziness:

Lie down until dizziness is gone, then get up slowly. Move slowly and carefully, do not hurry. Get adequate rest. Drink plenty of water and other fluids. Avoid coffee, cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. Consult your doctor if the symptom gets worse.

Indigestion:

Eat smaller and simple meal. Try not to chew your food with mouth open and do not eat fast, chew your food properly before swallowing. Avoid taking oily, processed or spicy foods. Avoid late-night eating. Try to relax after the meals. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve.

Nausea:

Stick to simple meals while taking this medicine. Avoid eating oily rich, fried or spicy foods. Do not lie down or sleep immediately after eating. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve.

Warning & Precautions

Pregnancy

APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET is not recommended for use in women, as it is used only in men.  

Breastfeeding

APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET is not recommended for use in women, as it is used only in men.  

Driving and Using Machines

Do not drive or operate any machines while taking APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET since it may cause dizziness, light-headedness, and/or fainting.  

Alcohol

Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET since it may cause undesirable effects such as low blood pressure and difficulty to maintain erection. Consult your doctor before taking APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET.

Kidney

APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases such as mild, moderate and severe renal insufficiency. Consult your doctor before taking APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET.

Liver

APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases such as hepatic insufficiency only if it is clearly necessary. Consult your doctor before taking APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET.

Allergy

APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET is not recommended for use if you are allergic to Apomorphine or any other ingredients of this medicine.

Heart Disease

APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET is not recommended for use in patients with severe unstable angina (chest pain), recent heart attack, and/or severe heart failure. Consult your doctor before taking APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET.

Interactions

A. Drug-Drug Interactions:

Before taking APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:   

• amiodarone (used to manage irregular heartbeat)
• cimetidine (used to manage stomach ulcers)
• nitrates (medicines used to manage various cardiovascular diseases) Ex. isosorbide dinitrate
• anti-hypertensives (medicines used to lower the blood pressure) such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (Ex. benazepril, captopril), beta-blockers (Ex. acebutolol, atenolol), calcium channel blockers (Ex. amlodipine, diltiazem), alpha 1 blocker (Ex. alfuzosin, doxazosin)
• rifampin (used to manage tuberculosis)
• medicine used to manage nausea and vomiting due to cancer management and surgery (Ex. ondansetron)
• prochlorperazine, domperidone (medicine used to manage morning sickness)
• other centrally acting dopamine agonists (medicines that enhance the action of dopamine) Ex. ropinirole
• antidepressants (medicines used to manage depression) Ex. fluoxetine, paroxetine
• other medicines used for erectile dysfunction Ex. sildenafil, vardenafil, tadalafil 
• anticonvulsants (used to manage epilepsy) Ex. carbamazepine, phenytoin

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally takes too much of APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. Overdosage symptoms of APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET are vomiting and orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure that occurs while standing up from a sitting or lying position).  

Synopsis

More Information

• Keep APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET out of reach of children
• Store APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET at room temperature

FAQs About APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET

What is APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET used for?

APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET is used to manage erectile dysfunction in men which occurs due to inability to achieve and sustain an erection during sexual intercourse which is generally characterized by symptoms such as reduced sexual desire, low self-esteem, depression and distress in affected men.

What happens if you take more APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET than your required dose?

If you or anyone else accidentally takes too much of APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. Overdosage symptoms of APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET are vomiting and orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure that occurs while standing up from a sitting or lying down position).

What common side effects are seen with APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET?

The common side effects associated with the use of APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET are headache, dizziness, sleepiness, flushing, inflammation in inner lining of the nose, sore throat, indigestion, flushing, cough, sweating, taste disorder and nausea. Consult your doctor if any of the side effect worsens during management with APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET.

What is the method of taking APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET?

Take APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET as advised by your physician. Drink a small amount of water before taking the medicine to optimise the dissolution of the medicine. Place the medicine under the tongue to get it dissolved completely (usually takes 10 minutes) and take the medicine approximately 20 minutes prior to sexual activity. Do not crush or chew the medicine. If any residue remains in the mouth even after 20 minutes, it may be swallowed.

Can I drink alcohol after taking APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET?

No, avoid drinking alcohol or alcoholic beverages while taking APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET since it may increase the occurrence of undesirable effects such as low blood pressure in men, which may also cause difficulty in maintaining an erection in affected men during sexual intercourse.

Does APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET cause dizziness?

Yes, you may feel dizzy after taking APOTAB 2 SUBLINGUAL TABLET. If you feel dizzy, keep your eyes closed or lie down and try not to drive or operate machinery when such side effect occurs. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve or if it gets worse.

References

1. Alvaro Morales. The Pharmacological Basis of Sexual Therapeutics. Erectile Dysfunction: Issues in Current Pharmacotherapy. 1998. Page – 114.

2. Gregory A Broderick. Oral Pharmacotherapy and the Contemporary Evaluation and Management of Erectile Dysfunction. NIH National Library of Medicine. National Centre for Biotechnology Information. PMC PubMed Central. 2003. [Accessed on 18th August 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1502384/

3. J P Heaton. Apomorphine: an update of clinical trial results. NIH National Library of Medicine. National Centre for Biotechnology Information. Pubmed.gov. October 2000. [Accessed on 18th August 2022]

4. Abbott Laboratories Ltd. Uprima. [Revised in May 2001] [Accessed on 18th August 2022] https://ec.europa.eu/health/documents/community-register/2005/200503299454/anx_9454_en.pdf

Author Details

Written By Dr. R. Dinesh John Rajkumar - Pharm.D

Reviewed For Accuracy By Dr. Sankara Babu Gorle - MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)

Last updated on 24 Sep 2022 | 06:00 PM(IST)