How is Nortriptyline?
Nortriptyline can be described as a tricyclic antidepressant. It alters the chemical balance in the brain, which could be out of balance in patients with depression.Nortriptyline is an antidepressant medication that can be prescribed to treat the signs of depression.
Nortriptyline is not recommended for use with children.
Warnings
Do not take nortriptyline if you have recently suffered a heart attack.
Do not take nortriptyline if you've taken an MAO inhibitor within the last 14 days, like isocarboxazid and linezolid, as well as methylene blue injections, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and many others.
Many young people are prone to thoughts of suicide after they first start taking antidepressants. Be aware of shifts in your mood or symptoms.
Inform your physician of any symptoms that are becoming worse or more severe, for example, changes in your mood or behavior, panic attacks, anxiety, sleeplessness, or the feeling of being angry, irritable, impulsive, or aggressive. Hyperactive, anxious (mentally and physically) and than depressed, or considering suicide or hurting yourself.
Before you Take this Drug
It is not recommended to use nortriptyline in the following situations:
- You're intolerant to the drug or other similar medications (amitriptyline, amoxapine, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, or protriptyline);
- You are allergic to some seizure medicines (carbamazepine, the eslicarbazepine drug, oxcarbazepine, rufinamide)
- You have recently experienced an attack of the heart.
Do not take nortriptyline if you've taken an MAO inhibitor within the last 14 days. A potentially dangerous interaction with a drug may occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, Methylene Blue injection, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine, as well as others.
Inform your physician if you are also taking stimulant medicines, opioid medications, herbal remedies, or medication to treat mental illness, depression, or Parkinson's disease. Also, you may have severe infections, migraines, or need to prevent nausea or vomiting. A reaction to nortriptyline can cause a serious health condition known as serotonin syndrome.
Inform your doctor if you have taken any "SSRI" antidepressant in the last five weeks, for example, fluoxetine, escitalopram, or citalopram (Prozac), fluvoxamine, sertraline, paroxetine (Zoloft), trazodone, or vilazodone.
To ensure nortriptyline is suitable for you, ask your doctor if you have previously had:
- Unproved fainting episodes;
- A genetic heart disease known as Brugada syndrome.
- An unproven family history of death that was younger than 45 years of age;
- Heart disease;
- A heart attack or stroke;
- A seizure;
- Bipolar disorder (manic depression);
- Schizophrenia or any other mental illness
- A thyroid disorder
- Issues with urination;
- Narrow-angle glaucoma;
- If you are receiving electroshock therapy.
Many young people are prone to thoughts of suicide when first starting an antidepressant. Your doctor should be able to check your progress regularly. Family members or other carers should be aware of changes in your mood or symptoms.
Consult your physician if you are nursing or pregnant.
Nortriptyline is not a prescription drug for use by anyone less than 18 years old.
How to take the Nortriptyline?
Follow the exact dosage of nortriptyline prescribed by your physician. Follow the instructions on the prescription label and review all medication guides and instruction sheets. The doctor might modify your dosage.
Take care when measuring liquid medicines. Make use of the syringe for dosing or a dose-measuring device (not an ordinary spoon).
If you require surgery, inform your surgeon that you're currently taking nortriptyline. It is possible that you will need to stop your treatment for a brief period of time.
You could experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking nortriptyline abruptly. Discuss with your physician how you can completely stop taking this medication.
It can take up to a couple of weeks until you see improvement. Use the medication exactly according to the directions, and inform your physician if your symptoms don't improve.
Keep the bottle at room temperature, far from heat and moisture. Make sure the bottle is tightly sealed when not being used.
Details on Dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Depression:
25 mg taken orally 3–4 times per day
Maximum dose: 150 mg/day
Comments:
The daily dosage can be administered only once a day.
Patients should start with lower doses, and then the dosages should gradually increase.
If doses that exceed 100 mg daily are prescribed, the plasma levels must be monitored and maintained within the ideal range of 50–150 mg/mL.
Treatment: Eliminating depression-related symptoms
Usual Geriatric Dose for Depression:
Between 30 and 50 mg taken orally every day, divided into doses
Comments:
The total daily dose can be administered only once a day.
Patients should begin with lower doses, and then the dosages should gradually increase.
Use: Relief of the symptoms of depression
What Happens If I Miss a Dose?
Do not take the medicine for as long as you can. However, avoid your missed dose if it's nearing the time to take the next dose. Don't take two doses at once.
What Happens If I Overdose?
Get medical attention immediately or contact the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. A high dose of nortriptyline could be fatal.
The symptoms of an overdose can include irregular heartbeats, extreme sleepiness, problems with vision and hallucinations, confusion, anxiety, and stiff muscles. hyperactive reflexes, vomiting, feeling cold or hot, feeling as if you could faint, seizures, or a coma.
What Should be Avoided?
Don't drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or even death could happen.
Avoid driving and other hazardous activities until you understand how nortriptyline affects your body. Your reaction could be affected.
Nortriptyline can cause sunburn more quickly. Avoid sun exposure or tanning beds. Protect yourself with protective clothes and apply sunblock (SPF 30 or greater) while you're outdoors.
Side effects of Nortriptyline
Contact a medical professional immediately. If you are experiencing symptoms that you are experiencing an allergic reaction due to nortriptyline, such as hives, breathing difficulties, or swelling of your lips, face, and tongue,
If you notice any new or more severe symptoms to your physician, for example, changes in your mood or behaviour, anxiety, panic attacks, or trouble sleeping, or if you experience being uncontrollably angry, irritable, and aggressive, anxious, hyperactive (mentally as well as physically), more depressed, or contemplating suicide or harming yourself,
See your doctor right away. If you suffer from:
- Blurred vision blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye swelling or pain, or having halos appear around lights;
- Muscles that are tense in your tongue, eyes, jaw, or neck;
- Feeling lightheaded, like you're about to pass out.
- Seizure (convulsions);
- New or worsening chest pain with a fluttering or pounding heartbeat within your chest;
- Suddenly numbness or weakness, issues with speech, vision, or balance
- The fever is accompanied by painful throat bleeding, easy bruising, and unusual bleeding.
- Uncomfortable or difficult to urinate; painful or difficult urination;
- Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).
You should seek medical attention immediately if you experience symptoms of serotonin disorder, for example, agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating and shivering, rapid heart rate, stiffness of muscles, or twitching. Also, you may experience lack of coordination, vomiting, nausea, vomiting and vomiting, or diarrhea.
Common side effects of nortriptyline include:
- Raised blood pressure
- Tingling or numbness in your feet or hands;
- Dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, and lack of appetite
- Blurred vision
- Itching, rash,
- Breast swelling (in women and men)
This isn't an exhaustive list of possible side effects, and others could happen.Consult your doctor for medical advice regarding the consequences. It is possible to report any adverse allergic reactions or symptoms to the FDA by calling 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with Other Drugs
When you take nortriptyline along with other medications that cause drowsiness, this can increase the severity of this effect. Talk to your doctor prior to using opioids, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or other medications to treat seizures or anxiety.
Discuss with your doctor any other medications you take, including:
- Medication to treat anxiety, depression, mood disorders, depression, or mental illness
- medicines for colds or allergies (Benadryl, Sudafed, and other);
- An anti-stimulant medication like the diet pill as well as ADHD medications;
- Medicine to treat Parkinson's disease
- Medication to treat stomach issues, motion sickness, or IBS;
- Medication to treat the overactive bladder treatment for overactive bladder
- Bronchodilator aspirin medication.
This list isn't complete. Other drugs can interact with nortriptyline.This covers prescription as well as over-the counter vitamin supplements, medicines, as well as natural products.Some interactions with drugs are not listed here. are included here.
