Auvelity Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Auvelity Tablet contains bupropion and dextromethorphan, part of the psychotherapeutic combinations drug class. It is a combination antidepressant medicine used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. It combines two active ingredients, dextromethorphan and bupropion, in one extended-release tablet. It carries a boxed warning about increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions, especially in people 24 years old and younger.

What is Auvelity Tablet

Auvelity is a combination antidepressant medicine. It is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and agitation that may happen with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. It contains two active ingredients, dextromethorphan and bupropion, combined in one extended-release tablet.

Auvelity Tablet uses

• Treating major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults
• Treating agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease

Benefits of Auvelity Tablet

• Can start improving depression symptoms in as early as 1 week, with continued improvement over time compared to placebo
• Reduced the frequency of agitation symptoms in people with Alzheimer's disease agitation more than placebo over 5 weeks
• In a 6-month study, people who continued treatment had a longer delay before their agitation symptoms got worse, compared to those who switched to a placebo

How Auvelity Tablet works

Auvelity works on several brain pathways at once. One ingredient, dextromethorphan, blocks certain brain receptors (NMDA receptors) and raises levels of a brain chemical called glutamate, which may help improve mood and agitation. The other ingredient, bupropion, helps dextromethorphan stay active longer in the body and also raises levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, which can further help with mood and agitation.

Auvelity Tablet dosage

Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to. If you take it once a day, take your tablet in the morning. If your dose is increased to twice a day, take the two tablets at least 8 hours apart. Do not take more than two tablets in 24 hours. Swallow tablets whole; do not crush, chew, or divide them. May be taken with or without food. If you miss a dose, skip it and take your next dose at the regular time; do not double up. Do not change your dose or stop taking this medicine suddenly without talking to your healthcare provider first. Your blood pressure will need to be checked regularly during treatment.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet

Side effects of Auvelity Tablet

Common

• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Dry mouth
• Excessive sweating
• Headache
• Feeling sleepy
• Sexual function problems
• Stomach upset or pain

Serious

• Seizures
• Increased blood pressure (hypertension)
• Manic episodes
• Unusual thoughts or behaviors (delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, confusion)
• Eye problems (angle-closure glaucoma)
• Dizziness with increased fall risk
• Serotonin syndrome
• Low sodium levels in the blood (hyponatremia)
• Allergic reactions

Warnings and precautions

This medicine has a boxed warning, the strongest warning the FDA gives, about an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions, especially in people 24 years old and younger, particularly during the first few months of treatment or after a dose change. It is not approved for use in children.

Do not take this medicine if you have or had a seizure disorder, an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia, if you've recently suddenly stopped drinking alcohol or stopped certain sedative or anti-seizure medicines, if you take or recently stopped an MAOI antidepressant, if you're being treated with the antibiotic linezolid or intravenous methylene blue, or if you're allergic to its ingredients.

This medicine can cause seizures, and the risk is higher at higher doses, with certain medical conditions, or when combined with certain other medicines or alcohol. Stop taking it and call your provider right away if you have a seizure, and do not take it again.

This medicine can cause manic episodes in people with bipolar disorder, with symptoms like greatly increased energy, racing thoughts, severe trouble sleeping, and reckless behavior.

This medicine can cause a serious eye problem called angle-closure glaucoma in people with certain eye conditions. Call your provider if you have eye pain, vision changes, or swelling or redness around the eye.

A potentially life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome can occur if this medicine is combined with certain other drugs.

This medicine can cause low sodium levels in the blood, which can be serious or even fatal if untreated. Older adults and those who take diuretics or become dehydrated are at higher risk.

You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAOI before starting this medicine, and wait at least 14 days after stopping this medicine before starting an MAOI, due to the risk of a dangerous interaction.

This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy because it may harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you might be pregnant while taking it, so they can prescribe another treatment.

Do not breastfeed while taking this medicine and for 5 days after your last dose, because one of the ingredients passes into breast milk.

Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, as your dose may need to be adjusted. This medicine is not recommended for people with severe kidney impairment.

Tell your doctor if you have liver problems. This medicine is not recommended for people with severe liver impairment.

Limit or avoid alcohol while taking this medicine. Drinking a lot of alcohol and then suddenly stopping can increase your risk of seizures, so talk to your doctor before stopping if you drink heavily.

Do not drive a car or use heavy machinery until you know how this medicine affects you, since it can cause dizziness and impair your reactions.

Storage

• Store at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C)
• Store in the original container
• Keep this medicine and all medicines out of the reach of children

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have thoughts of suicide or dying, new or worsening depression, feel very agitated or restless, have trouble sleeping, have made a suicide attempt, have new or worse anxiety or panic attacks, new or worse irritability, are acting aggressive or violent, show signs of mania, act on dangerous impulses, or have other unusual changes in mood or behavior
• Stop taking this medicine and call your healthcare provider right away if you have a seizure. Do not take the medicine again if this happens
• Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you develop signs of serotonin syndrome, such as agitation, hallucinations, confusion, fast heartbeat, high body temperature, muscle stiffness or twitching, loss of coordination, seizures, or nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
• Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop a skin rash, swelling, itching, shortness of breath, hives, muscle or joint pain, chest pain, or fever, as these could be signs of an allergic reaction
• Call your healthcare provider if you have eye pain, vision changes, or swelling or redness in or around the eye

Alternatives

• Spravato
• Bupropion Tablet
• Trintellix