Type of medicine: antipsychotic
Generic and brand names: asenapine, sublingual; Saphris
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat the symptoms of mental disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine. Taking this medicine during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems for the baby. Symptoms the baby may have include agitation, tight muscles, floppy muscles, shaking, trouble breathing, or trouble feeding. Talk with your provider about this.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Do not remove the tablet from the package until you are ready to take it. Gently peel back the colored tab to remove the tablet. Do not push the tablet through the pack because it could break the tablet. Use dry hands when you handle the medicine.
Let the tablet dissolve under your tongue. Do not crush, chew, or swallow the tablet whole. Do not eat or drink for 10 minutes after taking this medicine.
This medicine may cause your mouth to feel numb for up to 1 hour after you take it. This is normal.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: agitation, drowsiness, slurred speech, confusion, seizures, uncontrolled movement or stiffness in tongue, jaw, or neck, irregular heartbeat.
Older adults with dementia are at greater risk for severe side effects. Talk with your provider about this.
Newborn babies may have trouble breathing or feeding, or other symptoms, if the mother takes this medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy. This medicine should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit is greater than the possible risk to your baby. Talk with your provider about this.
You may need blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Your healthcare provider may want to check you to adjust the dosage. Keep all appointments.
If you have severe depression or thoughts of suicide, contact your healthcare provider right away.
Using this medicine for a long time may cause muscle spasms, twitching in the face and body, and uncontrolled tongue or jaw movement. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help. Also, drinking alcohol may make it worse. Do not drink alcohol unless your healthcare provider approves.
This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system. This medicine may also interact with many other medicines. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.
While taking this medicine, be careful when you exercise, especially when it is hot. This medicine affects your body's ability to cool down, and you may get too hot. If you get too hot, you might vomit, feel dizzy, have a fast or irregular heartbeat, get very stiff muscles, or be confused. Contact your provider right away if you have these symptoms.
Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about this
You may gain weight while taking this medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell your healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
This medicine may increase the risk of developing diabetes, especially if you are overweight or have a family history of diabetes. If you have diabetes, this medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Tremors, muscle twitching or stiffness, vision problems, trouble breathing, unusual weakness or tiredness, extreme dizziness or drowsiness, trouble swallowing, seizures, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, fainting, unusual bleeding or bruising, yellowing of the skin or eyes, loss of balance, trouble walking, unexplained fever or cough, increased sweating, sore throat, thoughts of suicide or severe depression; confusion; increased thirst; changes in urination.
Other: Mild drowsiness or dizziness, constipation, dry mouth, numbness in the mouth, toothache, drooling, stomach pain, joint pain, irritability, restlessness, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, weight gain, breast pain or swelling, trouble sleeping, menstrual changes, headache, rash.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not drink alcohol without your healthcare provider’s approval.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
