Nortriptyline

Nortriptyline

Nortriptyline is used for:

Treating depression. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant. It works by increasing the activity of certain chemicals in the brain that help elevate mood.

Do NOT use Nortriptyline if:

• you are allergic to any of the ingredients contained in Nortriptyline or to similar medicines
• you have taken furazolidone or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days, or you are taking astemizole, droperidol, or terfenadine
• you are recovering from a recent heart attack

Contact your health care provider as soon as possible if any of the above applies to you.

Consider before using Nortriptyline

Medical Conditions

There are medical conditions that can influence usage of Nortriptyline . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are either pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• if you are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you are allergic to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you drink alcohol-containing beverages daily or you have a history of alcohol abuse
• if you take thyroid medicine or you have a history of overactive thyroid, glaucoma, heart problems, kidney or liver problems, diabetes, seizures, the blood disease porphyria, or difficulty urinating
• if you have a history of suicidal thoughts or behavior, bipolar disorder, or any other mental disorders; you are undergoing electroshock therapy; or you are scheduled to have any surgery

Drugs Interaction

There are medicines that may interact with Nortriptyline . Inform your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, in particular any from the list below:

• Azole antifungals (eg, fluconazole), cimetidine, duloxetine, flecainide, methylphenidate, mibefradil, phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), propafenone, quinidine, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine), or terbinafine because they may increase the risk of Nortriptyline 's side effects
• Arsenic, astemizole, droperidol, furazolidone, MAOIs (eg, phenelzine), pimozide, quinolone antibiotics (eg, ciprofloxacin), streptogramins (eg, dalfopristin), terfenadine, or tramadol because the risk of high blood pressure, serious heart problems (eg, irregular heartbeat), or seizures may be increased
• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital) or phenytoin because they may decrease Nortriptyline 's effectiveness
• Anticholinergics (eg, benztropine), carbamazepine, chlorpropamide, or sympathomimetics (eg, phenylephrine) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Nortriptyline
• Clonidine, guanethidine, or guanfacine because their effectiveness may be decreased by Nortriptyline

This is not a full list of all interactions that may occur. Clarify with your health care provider whether Nortriptyline may interact with other medicines you take. Also, consult your health care provider in advance if you are going to start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Nortriptyline Usage Guidelines

You should use Nortriptyline as recommended by your doctor. Read the medicine's label for precise dosing instructions.

• Nortriptyline comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Nortriptyline refilled.
• Take Nortriptyline by mouth with or without food.
• If you miss a dose of Nortriptyline , take it as soon as you get it remembered. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, ignore the missed one and get back to your normal dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. If you take 1 dose daily at bedtime, do not take the missed dose the next morning.

Clarify with your health care provider any issues you may have about usage of Nortriptyline .

Important safety information on nortriptyline

• Nortriptyline may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. There effects may be worsened when this medicine is taken with aclohol or other medicines. Use Nortriptyline with caution. Refrain from driving or performing other possibly dangerous activities until you know how you react to it.
• Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Nortriptyline ; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• Nortriptyline may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Do not become overheated in hot weather or while you are being active; heatstroke may occur.
• Children, teenagers, and young adults who take Nortriptyline may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions. Watch all patients who take Nortriptyline closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.
• Nortriptyline may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Nortriptyline . Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Nortriptyline before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Lab tests, including blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Nortriptyline . These tests can be used to monitor your medical condition or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Nortriptyline with caution in OLDER PATIENTS, because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially confusion, blood pressure changes, and irregular heartbeat.
• Nortriptyline should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Nortriptyline can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Nortriptyline while you are pregnant. It is not known if Nortriptyline is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Nortriptyline .

If you stop taking Nortriptyline suddenly, you may have WITHDRAWAL symptoms. These may include headache, nausea, and tiredness.

Side effects may be caused by Nortriptyline

Any medicine may cause side effects, but the majority of people have either slight side effects, or dont have it at all. Consult your doctor if any of the most COMMON side effects from the list below persist or start bothering you:

Dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; excitement; headache; impotence; nausea; nightmares; pupil dilation; sensitivity to sunlight; sweating; tiredness; upset stomach; vomiting; weakness; weight loss or gain.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision or other vision changes; changes in sex drive; chest pain; confusion; constipation; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever; frequent or difficult urination; hallucinations; impulsive behavior or other unusual changes in behavior; jaw, neck, or muscle spasms; mental or mood changes (eg, increased anxiety, mood swings, agitation, irritability, nervousness, restlessness); panic attacks; ringing in the ears; seizures; severe dizziness or drowsiness; sore throat; stomach pain; suicidal thinking or behavior; swelling of the testicles; tremor; trouble sleeping; trouble walking or keeping your balance; twitching of the face or tongue; uncontrolled movements of arms and legs or stiffness; unusual bleeding or bruising; worsening of depression; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

It sholud be noted, that this is not a full list of possible side effects. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include agitation; bluish skin or mucous membranes; breathing problems; chest pain; coma; confusion; dry mouth; enlarged pupils; excess sweating; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; flushing; incoordination; involuntary movements; loss of consciousness; restlessness; rigid muscles; seizures; severe drowsiness; shock; stupor; trouble breathing; vomiting.

Nortriptyline storage instructions:

Store Nortriptyline at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Nortriptyline out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Nortriptyline , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Nortriptyline is supposed to be used only by the patient it is prescribed to. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or even become worse, inform your doctor.

This article is a summary only, and it does not provide all the information about Nortriptyline . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.