What it is used for
- Treating major depressive episodes in adults
- Improving depression symptoms accompanied by disturbed sleep when a doctor considers it suitable
How it is used
- Take it only as prescribed, usually at the planned evening time, with or without food
- Swallow the tablet with water and do not change the amount or stop treatment without discussing it with your doctor
- Attend liver tests before starting, at the times your doctor specifies and after any plan adjustment
- If you miss a tablet, follow the leaflet and do not double the amount
Possible side effects
- Headache, dizziness, sleepiness or tiredness
- Nausea, diarrhoea, constipation or abdominal pain
- Unusual dreams, anxiety or difficulty sleeping
- Raised liver enzymes or liver inflammation
- Rarely, a severe rash or allergic swelling
Who should not use it
- Liver disease or liver enzymes above the level your doctor considers safe
- Use with strong liver-enzyme inhibitors such as fluvoxamine or ciprofloxacin
- Allergy to agomelatine or any tablet ingredient
Before and while using it
- Stop the medicine and seek urgent advice for dark urine, pale stools, yellow skin or eyes, upper-right abdominal pain or persistent unexplained tiredness
- Do not start or continue treatment without the required liver tests even if you feel well
- Thoughts of self-harm can increase after starting or a plan change; get urgent help and tell someone you trust
- Tell your doctor about obesity, diabetes, fatty liver, alcohol use or medicines that may injure the liver
- It can cause dizziness or sleepiness; do not drive or use machinery until you know its effect
Medicine interactions
- Fluvoxamine and ciprofloxacin greatly raise agomelatine levels and must not be used with it
- Alcohol and medicines that injure the liver increase the risk of liver damage
- Smoking and certain liver-enzyme inducers may lower medicine levels; tell your doctor if you start or stop smoking
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Information in pregnancy is limited; tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy and do not stop treatment yourself
- Breastfeeding is usually not recommended during treatment; discuss alternatives with your doctor
How to store it
- Keep tablets in the original pack away from moisture and out of children's reach
Get medical help straight away if
- Your face, lips or tongue swell, or you find it hard to breathe.
- You get a severe rash, blistering or peeling skin.
- A side effect worries you or doesn’t go away: contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Questions about this medicine?
Talk to a doctor by video, or send your question by text.
Source: Standard international medicine references
This guide is general information and doesn’t replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Don’t start, stop or change a medicine without asking them, and always read the leaflet in the pack.