What it is used for
- Treating a moderate or severe manic episode in adults with bipolar disorder
- Use alone or with a mood stabiliser when the clinician decides
- Treating schizophrenia when this is authorised for the local product
How it is used
- Use dry hands and gently peel the tablet from its pack only when the dose is due
- Place the whole tablet under the tongue and let it dissolve; do not chew, crush or swallow it
- Do not eat or drink after the dose for the interval stated in the leaflet so absorption can finish
- Take it as prescribed and do not change or stop it suddenly yourself
- If you use other medicines by mouth, follow your clinician's instructions about their order
Possible side effects
- Sleepiness, sedation or dizziness
- Mouth numbness, altered taste or increased saliva
- Increased appetite or weight and raised blood glucose
- Restlessness, stiffness, tremor or abnormal movements
- A fall in blood pressure on standing or fainting
Who should not use it
- Allergy to asenapine or any ingredient
- Severe liver impairment
Before and while using it
- Seek urgent help for high fever with stiffness, confusion, sweating or altered consciousness because this may be neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- Tell your clinician immediately about involuntary movements of the face, tongue or limbs
- Seek help for swelling of the tongue or throat or difficulty swallowing or breathing because severe allergy is possible
- Weight, glucose, lipids and abnormal movements need monitoring during treatment
- Watch for mood changes or thoughts of self-harm and seek help promptly
- It is not recommended for dementia-related psychosis in older people because death and stroke risks are increased
Medicine interactions
- Alcohol, sedatives, sleeping medicines and opioid painkillers increase sleepiness and poor concentration
- Fluvoxamine can raise asenapine exposure and requires caution
- Asenapine can raise paroxetine exposure or affect other medicines relying on the same liver enzymes
- Blood-pressure medicines can increase dizziness and fainting
- Medicines that prolong the heart tracing or disturb electrolytes need review
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Tell your clinician if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy; it is used only when benefit justifies risk, and a baby exposed near delivery may need monitoring
- Breastfeeding should be stopped during treatment according to the reference product information
How to store it
- Keep tablets in the original pack to protect them from light and moisture and away from children
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.