Nortriptyline
Description
Nortriptyline is an effective medicine used to treat depression. It should be started at lower doses and the doses should be gradually increased. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly since this may cause withdrawal symptoms like mood changes and irritability.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Nortriptyline
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Decreased urine output
- Weakness in arms, hands, legs or feet
- Agitation
- Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
- Black tongue
- Breast enlargement
- Dry mouth
- Skin rash
Uses of Nortriptyline
What is it prescribed for?
- Depression
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of this medicine can be observed in 1 to 3 weeks.
- Duration of effectThe time until which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while taking this medicine since the combination increases the risk of side effects like dizziness, blurred vision, sweating, and muscle stiffness. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you consume alcohol with this medicine.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency has been reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine should be used by pregnant women only when the benefits outweigh the risks. You are advised to consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine should be used by breastfeeding women only when the benefits outweigh the risks. You are advised to consult your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or discontinue the medicine based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known allergy to Nortriptyline or any other components of the medicine.
Heart attack
Nortriptyline is not recommended for use if the patient is recovering from a recent heart attack.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine should be used by pregnant women only when the benefits outweigh the risks. You are advised to consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine should be used by breastfeeding women only when the benefits outweigh the risks. You are advised to consult your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or discontinue the medicine based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Sedation
Use of this medicine may cause moderate to severe sedation and impairment of physical abilities. You should avoid activities that require a high level of mental alertness while using this medicine.
Suicidal tendencies
Use of this medicine is reported to provoke suicidal thoughts and increased suicidal tendencies, especially in young patients. Report any such incidence to the doctor so that counseling and monitoring of progress can be performed at regular intervals.
Withdrawal symptoms
The use of this medicine should not be discontinued abruptly since you may experience withdrawal symptoms, especially if you have been using a high dose for a long duration. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Surgery
Use of this medicine is not recommended if you are planning to undergo a surgery in the near future. Consult your doctor in this regard so that it can be discontinued appropriately.
Bipolar disorder
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with bipolar disorder since the symptoms of mania and depression may worsen upon usage of this medicine. Report any history of bipolar depression or mania to the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Liver disease
This medicine should be used with caution if you are suffering from any liver disease or if you have any history of liver disease. Report all such conditions to the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost the time for the next scheduled dose, then the missed dose should be skipped. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Contact your doctor immediately if an overdose is suspected. Symptoms of overdose may include a change in pulse rates, severe drowsiness, confusion, vomiting, hallucinations, convulsions, and fainting. Immediate medical intervention may be required if the overdose symptoms are severe.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while taking this medicine since the combination increases the risk of side effects like dizziness, blurred vision, sweating, and muscle stiffness. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you consume alcohol with this medicine.
Interaction with Medicine
Glimepiride
Linezolid
Ondansetron
Metoprolol
Disease interactions
Heart Disease
Nortriptyline should be used with caution in patients suffering from heart diseases like heart failure, stroke, heart block etc. A fall in the blood pressure, change in pulse, dizziness, and other associated complications should be reported to the doctor on priority. This medicine is not recommended for use in patients who have recently suffered a heart attack.
Pheochromocytoma
Nortriptyline should be administered with extreme caution in patients suffering from Pheochromocytoma. The risk of severe to fatal change in blood pressure is very high in such patients. Suitable dose adjustment and clinical monitoring of the symptoms is recommended in such cases.
Seizure disorders
Nortriptyline should be used with caution in patients having a seizure disorder since using this medicine may cause more frequent and severe episodes of seizures. High doses should be avoided in such patients.
Diabetes Mellitus
Nortriptyline should be used with caution in patients with diabetes since the risks of changes in blood sugar levels are very high. Close monitoring of blood glucose levels is recommended while using this medicine.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Nortriptyline as instructed by the doctor. Follow all the labeled instructions while taking this medicine. Ensure that the right quantity of medicine is consumed for the prescribed duration only. Do not stop taking this medicine without informing the doctor since it may cause withdrawal symptoms like nausea, headache, irritability, or mood changes.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by increasing the amount of a chemical substance in the brain which helps in maintaining the mental balance.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Tricyclic antidepressants
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 25 July 2017]. Available from:
Nortriptyline: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 25 July 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - NORTRIPTYLINE HYDROCHLORIDE- nortriptyline hydrochloride capsule [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 25 July 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 25 July 2017]. Available from:
TOXNET [Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 25 July 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 27 Jul 2017
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.