nortriptyline Health Article

Generic name(s):

nortriptyline

Brand name(s):

Pamelor

What is the most important information I should know about nortriptyline?

Do not use nortriptyline if you have recently had a heart attack, or if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms 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.

What is nortriptyline?

Nortriptyline is in a group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. Nortriptyline affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced.

Nortriptyline is used to treat symptoms of depression.

Nortriptyline may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking nortriptyline?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to nortriptyline, or if you have recently had a heart attack. Do not use nortriptyline if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take nortriptyline before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

Before taking nortriptyline, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• heart disease;

• a history of heart attack, stroke, or seizures;

• bipolar disorder (manic-depression);

• schizophrenia or other mental illness;

• diabetes (nortriptyline may raise or lower blood sugar);

• overactive thyroid;

• glaucoma; or

• problems with urination.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take nortriptyline.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Tell your doctor if you have worsening symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.

Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether nortriptyline passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medication.

Do not give this medication to anyone under 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.