Treats depression. It is also used to treat various types of pain. Belongs to a class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants
Brand Names:
Pamelor, Aventyl HCl
Contraindications:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to nortriptyline or other tricyclic antidepressants (such as Elavil®, Sinequan®, or Tofranil®), maprotiline (Ludiomil®), or trazodone (Desyrel®). You should not use this medicine if you have used a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (such as Nardil®, Marplan®, Parnate®) within the past 14 days. You should also not use this medicine if you have just had a heart attack
Uses:
Capsule, Liquid
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use and how often.
May be taken with or without food.
If a dose is missed:
If more than one dose a day is used, use the missed dose as soon as possible unless it is almost time for your next dose.
You should not use two doses at the same time.
If only one dose at bedtime is used, you should not use the missed dose in the morning.
Storage:
Store at room temperature, away from excess heat, light, and moisture. Do not freeze the oral liquid.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Make sure your doctor knows if you are using Tagamet®, Antabuse®, or thyroid medicine.
Do not drink alcohol with this medicine.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are using other medicines that make you sleepy such as sleeping pills, cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, tranquilizers, or narcotic pain killers.
Warnings:
Talk to your doctor before using if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a history of heart disease, glaucoma, epilepsy, or stomach problems.
If you are using this drug for depression, it may take 2 or 3 weeks of treatment before you start to feel better.
Nortriptyline may increase or decrease blood sugar levels.
Do not stop using nortriptyline suddenly. You may need to use smaller and smaller doses before completely stopping. Check with your doctor.
This medicine may cause drowsiness, especially during the first few weeks you are using it. Be careful when driving a car or operating machinery.
The oral solution (liquid) has alcohol in it.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
