Nortriptyline

Generic name: Nortriptyline

Drug class: Tricyclic antidepressants

Dosage forms: Capsule

Root of administration: Oral

Dose: 10,25, 50, 75mg

Mechanism of action: Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant. It affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with depression.

Drug usage cases: Nortriptyline is used to treat symptoms of depression.

Drug contra indications: Nortriptyline is not recommended for use in children. You should not use nortriptyline if: you are allergic to it or similar medicines (amitriptyline, amoxapine, clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, protriptyline, trimipramine); you are allergic to certain seizure medications (carbamazepine, eslicarbazepine, oxcarbazepine, rufinamide); or you recently had a heart attack. Do not use nortriptyline if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and others. Tell your doctor if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson’s disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. An interaction with nortriptyline could cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.

Tell your doctor if you have used an “SSRI” antidepressant in the past 5 weeks, such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, or vilazodone. To make sure nortriptyline is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

unexplained fainting spells; a genetic heart condition called Brugada syndrome; a family history of unexplained death at younger than 45 years old; heart disease; a heart attack or stroke;

a seizure; bipolar disorder (manic-depression); schizophrenia or other mental illness; a thyroid disorder; problems with urination; narrow-angle glaucoma; or if you are receiving electroshock treatment. Nortriptyline is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

side effects: Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to nortriptyline: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights; restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck; a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; seizure (convulsions); new or worsening chest pain, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;

sudden numbness or weakness, problems with vision, speech, or balance, fever, sore throat, easy bruising, unusual bleeding; painful or difficult urination; or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Warnings: You should not use nortriptyline if you recently had a heart attack. Do not use nortriptyline if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, tranylcypromine and others. Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.