Prothiaden

Prothiaden capsules and tablets contain the active ingredient dosulepin (previously known as dothiepin in the UK), which is a type of medicine called a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). This type of medicine acts on nerve cells in the brain.
In the brain there are numerous different chemical compounds called neurotransmitters. These act as chemical messengers between the nerve cells. Serotonin and noradrenaline are neurotransmitters and they have various functions that we know of.
When serotonin and noradrenaline are released from nerve cells in the brain they act to lighten mood. When they are reabsorbed into the nerve cells, they no longer have an effect on mood. It is thought that when depression occurs, there may be a decreased amount of serotonin and noradrenaline released from nerve cells in the brain.

Prothiaden (Dosulepin) works by preventing serotonin and noradrenaline from being reabsorbed back into the nerve cells in the brain. This helps prolong the mood lightening effect of any released noradrenaline and serotonin. In this way, dosulepin helps relieve depression.
Prothiaden (Dosulepin) can cause side effects such as drowsiness. This means it may be useful in treating depression in people who are also anxious and agitated, or who are suffering from disturbances in sleep.
It may take between two to four weeks for the benefits of this medicine to appear, so it is very important that you keep taking it, even if it doesn't seem to make much difference at first. If you feel your depression has got worse, or if you have any distressing thoughts or feelings in these first few weeks, then you should talk to your doctor.

Side effects

• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Blurred vision
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Difficulty in passing urine
• Sweating
• Involuntary muscle movements such as tremors or twitching
• Rashes
• Confusion or delirium
• Headache
• Sexual problems