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nortriptyline

 
Dictionary: nor·trip·ty·line   (nôr-trĭp'tə-lēn') pronunciation
n.
A tricyclic antidepressant drug, C19H21N.

[NOR- + (AMI)TRIPTYLINE.]


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Drug Info: Nortriptyline
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Brand names: Aventyl®Pamelor®

Chemical formula:



Nortriptyline Hydrochloride Oral capsule

What is this medicine?

NORTRIPTYLINE (nor TRIP ti leen) is used to treat depression.
 
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•an alcohol problem
•bipolar disorder or schizophrenia
•difficulty passing urine, prostate trouble
•glaucoma
•heart disease or recent heart attack
•liver disease
•over active thyroid
•seizures
•thoughts or plans of suicide or a previous suicide attempt or family history of suicide attempt
•an unusual or allergic reaction to nortriptyline, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed. If you have been taking this medicine regularly for some time, do not suddenly stop taking it. You must gradually reduce the dose or you may get severe side effects. Ask your doctor or health care professional for advice. Even after you stop taking this medicine it can still affect your body for several days.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What may interact with this medicine?

•Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
•arsenic trioxide
•certain medicines used to regulate abnormal heartbeat or to treat other heart conditions
•cisapride
•halofantrine
•MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
•other medicines for mental depression
•phenothiazines like perphenazine, thioridazine and chlorpromazine
•pimozide
•probucol
•procarbazine
•sparfloxacin
•St. John's Wort
•ziprasidone

This medicine may also interact with any of the following medications:
•atropine and related drugs like hyoscyamine, scopolamine, tolterodine and others
•barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures, such as phenobarbital
•cimetidine
•medicines for diabetes
•reserpine
•seizure or epilepsy medicine such as carbamazepine or phenytoin
•thyroid medicine

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. It can take several days before you feel the full effect of this medicine.

Patients and their families should watch out for worsening depression or thoughts of suicide. Also watch out for sudden or severe changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of antidepressant treatment or after a change in dose, call your health care professional.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may increase dizziness and drowsiness. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, or allergies without asking your doctor or health care professional for advice. Some ingredients can increase possible side effects.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

This medicine may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may help. See your eye doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.

If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar more often than usual, especially during the first few weeks of treatment with this medicine. This medicine can affect blood sugar levels. Call your doctor or health care professional for advice if you notice a change in the results of blood or urine glucose tests.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
•allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
•abnormal production of milk in females
•breast enlargement in both males and females
•breathing problems
•confusion, hallucinations
•fever with increased sweating
•irregular or fast, pounding heartbeat
•muscle stiffness, or spasms
•pain or difficulty passing urine, loss of bladder control
•seizures
•suicidal thoughts or other mood changes
•swelling of the testicles
•tingling, pain, or numbness in the feet or hands
•yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•change in sex drive or performance
•diarrhea
•nausea, vomiting
•weight gain or loss

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Last updated: 7/1/2002

Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.

Medical Dictionary: nor·trip·ty·line
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(nôr-trĭp'tə-lēn')
n.

A tricyclic compound used as a tranquilizer and an antidepressant.

WordNet: nortriptyline
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Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: a tricyclic antidepressant drug (trade name Pamelor) used along with psychotherapy to treat dysthymic depression; may interact dangerously if taken with other drugs
  Synonym: Pamelor


Wikipedia: Nortriptyline
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Nortriptyline
Systematic (IUPAC) name
3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d] cyclohepten-5-ylidene)- N-methyl-1-propanamine
Identifiers
CAS number 72-69-5
894-71-3 (hydrochloride)
ATC code N06AA10
PubChem 4543
DrugBank APRD00602
ChemSpider 4384
Chemical data
Formula C19H21N 
Mol. mass 263.38 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability well absorbed
Metabolism Hepatic
Half life 16 and 90 hours
Excretion Renal
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.

C

Legal status

Prescription only

Routes oral
 Yes check.svgY(what is this?)  (verify)

Nortriptyline (sometimes abbreviated NTP in technical documents) is a second-generation tricyclic antidepressant marketed as the hydrochloride under the trade names Sensoval, Aventyl, Pamelor, Norpress, Allegron and Nortrilen. It is used in the treatment of major depression and childhood nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting). In addition, it is sometimes used for chronic illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pain and migraines, and labile affect in some neurological conditions.

Contents

Clinical pharmacology

Nortriptyline is the active metabolite of amitriptyline which is demethylated in the liver, and which inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and, to a lesser extent, serotonin. Nortriptyline also presents clinically relevant post-synaptic antagonism of muscarinergic and 5HT2A receptors.[1] The former is responsible for anticholinergic side-effects, whereas the affinity for 5HT2A may be responsible for its sleep-improving effect.[2] In the short run however, nortryptiline may disturb sleep due to its activating effect.

Indications

Nortriptyline is FDA-approved for the treatment of major depression. In the United Kingdom, it may also be used for treating nocturnal enuresis, with courses of treatment lasting no more than three months. It is also used off-label for the treatment of panic disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, migraine prophylaxis and chronic pain or neuralgia modification (particularly TMJ disorder).[3] It can also aid in quitting smoking, with one study showing a six-month abstinence rate of 14% for subjects receiving nortriptyline compared to 3% for subjects not undergoing pharmacological treatment.[4] Research has been done suggesting it can reduce symptoms of ADHD.[citation needed] It should be noted, however, that the co-administration of Tricyclic Antidepressants and stimulant ADD medications is highly inadvisable. Due to the blocking effect such medications have on both norepinephrine and serotonin, the stimulant properties of ADD medications can be severely potentiated, resulting in a risk of hypertension, tachycardia, and central overstimulation.[citation needed]

Metabolism

Nortriptyline is metabolised in the liver by hepatic enzyme CYP2D6. Approximately 7 to 10 percent of caucasians are poor metabolisers and might experience more adverse effects, so a lower dosage is often necessary in these individuals.[citation needed] Blood levels of nortriptyline should be obtained during long term treatment to avoid toxicity and optimise response.

Dosage

For depression: Low starting doses are used, increasing as necessary to 75–100 mg (0–50 mg for adolescents and the elderly). Maximum daily dosage is 150 mg.[5]

For the management of nocturnal enuresis: lower dosages are used with the maximum period of treatment, including gradual withdrawal, being three months and a full examination including electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) required before further courses.[5]

For its off-label use for migraine and headache prophylaxis and treating chronic pain: Treatment is started at very low 10 mg once at night to minimise side-effects. The dose is then increased every two weeks if required to a maximum of 150 mg. Nortriptyline is effective for treating migraine-associated vertigo in the same dose titration with 100 mg usually being the maximum necessary dose.

Side effects

The most common side effects include dry mouth, sedation, constipation, and increased appetite. An occasional side effect is a rapid or irregular heartbeat. Alcohol may exacerbate some of its side effects and should be avoided.

However, the incidence of side effects with nortriptyline is lower than with the first-generation tricyclics (e.g., imipramine (Tofranil), amitriptyline (Elavil)).

A study with men has found that treatment with nortriptyline is associated with higher risk of suicidal ideation compared to escitalopram.[6]

Warnings

Closer monitoring is required for those with a history of cardiovascular disease, stroke, glaucoma, and/or seizures, as well as those that have hyperthyroidism or are receiving thyroid medication.

Excessive consumption of alcohol in combination with nortriptyline therapy may have a potentiating effect, which may lead to the danger of increased suicidal attempts or overdosage, especially in patients with histories of emotional disturbances or suicidal ideation.

Troublesome patient hostility may be aroused by the use of nortriptyline.

Contraindications

In the acute recovery phase after myocardial infarction (e.g., heart attack). As for all tricyclic antidepressants, concurrent use, or failure to allow a two week gap, with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO inhibitors, e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine, etc.) may precipitate hyperpyretic crisis and/or severe convulsions; fatalities have occurred.

Overdose

The symptoms and the treatment of an overdose are largely the same as for the other tricyclic antidepressants.

References

  1. ^ Gillman PK (2007). "Tricyclic antidepressant pharmacology and therapeutic drug interactions updated". Br J Pharmacol 151 (6): 737–48. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707253. PMID 17471183. 
  2. ^ Thase ME (2006). "Depression and sleep: pathophysiology and treatment". Dialogues Clin Neurosci 8 (2): 217–26. PMID 16889107. 
  3. ^ Sweetman SC, ed (2002). Martindale. The complete drug reference (33 ed.). Pharmaceutical Press. ISBN 0-85369-499-0. 
  4. ^ Prochazka A, Weaver M, Keller R, Fryer G, Licari P, Lofaso D (1998). "A randomized trial of nortriptyline for smoking cessation". Arch Intern Med 158 (18): 2035–9. doi:10.1001/archinte.158.18.2035. PMID 9778204. 
  5. ^ a b British National Formulary 45 March 2003
  6. ^ Perroud, N.; Uher, R.; Marusic, A.; Rietschel, M.; Mors, O.; Henigsberg, N.; Hauser, J.; Maier, W. et al. (2009). "Suicidal ideation during treatment of depression with escitalopram and nortriptyline in Genome-Based Therapeutic Drugs for Depression (GENDEP): a clinical trial". BMC medicine 7 (1): 60. doi:10.1186/1741-7015-7-60. PMID 19832967.  edit

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Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
Drug Info. Gold Standard. Copyright © 2008 by Gold Standard. All rights reserved.  Read more
Medical Dictionary. The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company Read more
WordNet. WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Nortriptyline" Read more