Introduction

Diconten is a combination of two medicines used in the treatment of depression. This medicine helps by increasing the level of chemical messengers in the brain that have a calming effect on the brain and relax the nerves, thus treating your depression. Diconten may be taken with or without food, preferably at the same time each day. Take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor and if you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. It is important that this medication is not stopped suddenly without talking to your doctor as it may worsen your symptoms. Some common side effects of this medicine include dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision, increased heart rate, muscle rigidity, restlessness, and tremor. Initially, this medicine may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure when you change positions, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. It may also cause dizziness and sleepiness, do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. Before taking it, inform your doctor if you are suffering from thyroid or kidney disease, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, glaucoma, or any heart disease. You should not take this medicine if you are under the influence of alcohol or any sleep-inducing, cough, and/ or allergy medication. This medicine can also lead to weight gain, eat a healthy balanced diet, avoid snacking with high-calorie food, and exercise regularly.

Uses of Diconten

• Depression

Side effects of Diconten

• Constipation
• Urinary retention
• Weight gain
• Sleepiness
• Orthostatic hypotension (sudden lowering of blood pressure on standing)
• Increased heart rate
• Increased prolactin level in blood
• Blurred vision
• Dryness in mouth
• Muscle stiffness
• Tremor
• Restlessness

How to use Diconten

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Diconten may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

How Diconten works

Diconten is a combination of two medicines: Flupenthixol and Melitracen. Flupenthixol is a typical antipsychotic. It works by blocking the action of dopamine, a chemical messenger in the brain that affects thoughts and mood. Melitracen is a tricyclic antidepressant which increases the levels of chemical messengers in the brain that help in regulating the mood and treat depression.

Indication

Depression, Anxiety, Apathy, Dysphoria

Adult Dose

Adults: Usually 2 tablets daily; morning and noon. In severe cases the morning dose may be increased to 2 tablets. Elderly: 1 tablet in the morning. Maintenance dose: Usually 1 tablet in the morning. In cases of insomnia or severe restlessness additional treatment with a sedative in the acute phase is recommended.

Contraindication

The immediate recovery phase after myocardial infarction, Defects in bundle-branch conduction, Untreated narrow angle glaucoma, Acute alcohol, barbiturate and opiate intoxications, Flupentixol-Melitracen should not be given to patients who have received a MAO-inhibitor within two weeks. Not recommended for excitable or overactive patients since its activating effect may lead to exaggeration of these characteristics.

Mode of Action

Flupentixol is a thioxanthene antipsychotic that inhibits dopamine-mediated effects by blocking postsynaptic dopamine receptors in the CNS. Melitracen is a TCA with anxiolytic properties.

Precaution

If previously the patient has been treated with tranquilizers with sedative effect these should be withdrawn gradually.

Side Effect

In the recommended doses side effects are rare. These could be transient restlessness and insomnia.

Interaction

May potentiate the adverse effects of drugs with antimuscarinic effects e.g. TCAs. Reduced efficacy of levodopa. Increases adverse extrapyramidal symptoms with dopamine antagonists (metoclopramide and prochlorperazine). Potentially Fatal: Potentiates CNS effects of alcohol, general anaesthetics, hypnotics, anxiolytics and opioids. Blocks antihypertensive effect of guanethidine. Additive toxicity with antimuscarinics, CNS depressants. Response to TCA may be accelerated with thyroid hormones; pressor effects of sympathomimetics may be enhanced; risk of serotonin syndrome when taken with other antidepressants. Antidiabetic dosage may need to be adjusted.