Home Drug Guide Mazindol

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Mazindol

Brand Names Sanorex, Mazanor

Classification

Therapeutic: Appetite suppressant, Central Nervous System stimulant

Pharmacological: Noradrenaline-dopamine reuptake inhibitor

FDA Approved Indications

  • Short-term management of obesity associated with comorbidities

Mechanism of Action

Mazindol inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine in the central nervous system, leading to appetite suppression and reduced food intake.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Typically 1 mg twice daily before meals; dosage may be adjusted based on response and tolerability.

Pediatric: Not approved for pediatric use.

Geriatric: Use with caution; start at lower doses due to potential for increased sensitivity and adverse effects.

Renal Impairment: Use with caution; dose adjustments may be necessary.

Hepatic Impairment: Data lacking; use caution.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed orally.

Distribution: Widely distributed; crosses the blood-brain barrier.

Metabolism: Minimal hepatic metabolism.

Excretion: Primarily renal excretion.

Half Life: Approximately 10 hours.

Contraindications

  • History of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, acute mood disorders, history of drug abuse.

Precautions

  • Monitor blood pressure, heart rate; use cautiously in patients with psychiatric disorders, history of drug dependence, or substance abuse.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Insomnia (Common)
  • Dry mouth (Common)
  • Increased blood pressure (Common)
  • Palpitations (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Arrhythmias (Rare)
  • Seizures (Rare)
  • Psychosis or paranoia (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • MAO inhibitors (risk of hypertensive crisis)
  • Other sympathomimetics
  • Antihypertensive agents (may affect blood pressure)

Drug-Food Interactions

  • None specifically identified

Drug-Herb Interactions

  • St. John's Wort (potential for increased side effects)

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor blood pressure, heart rate, mental status, and signs of dependence.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for cardiovascular side effects
  • Risk for psychological dependence

Implementation: Administer as prescribed; monitor for adverse effects; educate patient on potential for dependence.

Evaluation: Assess weight loss, behavior changes, cardiovascular stability.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Take medication exactly as prescribed.
  • Report to healthcare provider if experiencing chest pain, rapid heartbeat, or psychological symptoms.
  • Avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants.
  • Do not discontinue abruptly.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Potential for severe psychological or dependence issues.

Genetic Factors: None well established.

Lab Test Interference: May affect blood pressure readings.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe agitation, hallucinations, hyperactivity, hypertension, tachycardia, seizures.

Treatment: Supportive care, monitoring vital signs, benzodiazepines for agitation or seizures, activated charcoal if ingestion is recent, consultation with poison control.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.