Asenapine (a-SEN-a-peen)

Treats schizophrenia.

Brand Name(s):

Secuado

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Patch

• Your doctor will tell you how many patches to use, where to apply them, and how often to apply them. Do not use more patches or apply them more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after applying a patch.
• Leave the patch in its sealed wrapper until you are ready to put it on. Tear the wrapper open carefully. NEVER CUT the wrapper or the patch with scissors. Do not use any patch that has been cut by accident.
• Wash your skin only with water and let it dry completely. Do not shave the skin where you will apply the patch. You may cut the hair with a pair of scissors.
• The patient instructions will show the body areas where you can wear the patch. When putting on each new patch, choose a different place within these areas. Do not put the new patch on the same place you wore the last one. Be sure to remove the old patch before applying a new one. After you apply the patch, push down on it with the palm of your hand for 15 seconds to make sure it sticks to your skin.
• Do not put the patch over burns, cuts, or irritated skin.
• Put on a new patch if the old one has fallen off and cannot be reapplied.
• Do not use any source of heat (including heating pad, electric blanket, hair dryer) over the skin patch.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
• Missed dose: If you forget to wear or change a patch, put one on as soon as you can. If it is almost time to put on your next patch, wait until then to apply a new patch and skip the one you missed. Do not apply extra patches to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the patches at room temperature in the original package, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Fold the used patch in half with the sticky sides together. Throw any used patch away so that children or pets cannot get to it. You will also need to throw away old patches after the expiration date has passed.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how asenapine works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Chlorpromazine, ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, fluvoxamine, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, paroxetine, thioridazine, ziprasidone
  • Blood pressure medicine
  • Diuretic (water pill)
  • Heart rhythm medicine (including amiodarone, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol)

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, trouble swallowing, or a history of seizures. Tell your doctor if you have a blood vessel or heart problem, including low blood pressure, heart failure, heart rhythm problems, or a history of heart attack or stroke.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), which can be life-threatening
  • Tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder) that may not go away after you stop using this medicine
  • Heart rhythm changes, including QT prolongation
  • Increased risk for infections
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Stand up slowly. You may feel lightheaded if you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position.
• You might get overheated while you are using this medicine. Drink more water during hot weather, and while you exercise.
• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches
• Increased hunger or thirst, frequent urination, tiredness, blurred vision
• Jerky muscle movement you cannot control (often in your face, tongue, or jaw), problems with balance or walking
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, or fainting
• Mood or behavior changes, or thoughts of hurting yourself or others
• Numbness or tingling in your mouth or throat, sores or blisters in your mouth
• Sweating, confusion, muscle stiffness, tremors, or twitching

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Constipation
• Nipple discharge, breast swelling (even in men)
• Redness, itching, or swelling of the skin where the patch is applied
• Weight gain

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088