* Generic Name: nortriptyline hcl
* Brand Name: Pamelor
* What is nortriptyline (Aventyl HCl, Pamelor)?
* What are the possible side effects of nortriptyline (Aventyl
HCl, Pamelor)?
* What is the most important information I should know about
nortriptyline (Aventyl HCl, Pamelor)?
* What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
nortriptyline (Aventyl HCl, Pamelor)?
* How should I take nortriptyline (Aventyl HCl, Pamelor)?
* What happens if I miss a dose (Aventyl HCl, Pamelor)?
* What happens if I overdose (Aventyl HCl, Pamelor)?
* What should I avoid while taking nortriptyline (Aventyl HCl,
Pamelor)?
* What other drugs will affect nortriptyline (Aventyl HCl,
Pamelor)?
* Where can I get more information (Aventyl HCl, Pamelor)?
What is nortriptyline (Aventyl HCl, Pamelor)?
Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant. Nortriptyline
affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with
depression.
Nortriptyline is used to treat symptoms of depression.
Nortriptyline may also be used for purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What are the possible side effects of nortriptyline (Aventyl HCl, Pamelor)?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
throat.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, 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.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
* blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or
seeing halos around lights;
* restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;
* a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
* seizure (convulsions);
* new or worsening chest pain, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in
your chest;
* sudden numbness or weakness, problems with vision, speech, or
balance;
* fever, sore throat, easy bruising, unusual bleeding;
* jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
* painful or difficult urination; or
* high levels of serotonin in the body--agitation,
hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this
medication.
Common side effects may include:
* nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
* anxiety, sleep problems (insomnia);
* dry mouth, unusual taste;
* little or no urinating;
* constipation;
* vision changes;
* breast swelling (in men or women); or
* decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an
orgasm.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about nortriptyline
(Aventyl HCl, Pamelor)?
You should not use nortriptyline if you have recently had a heart
attack, or if you are allergic to certain medicines.
Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past
14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue
injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.
Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an
antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report
any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.
Pamelor Patient Information including How Should I Take
Depression Overview:What is Depression?
Understanding Depression Slideshow
RxList
Take the Depression Quiz
Depression:Tips for Exercise Diet and Stress Reduction
Depression Tips Slideshow Pictures
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking nortriptyline
(Aventyl HCl, Pamelor)?
You should not use nortriptyline if you are allergic to it, or if:
* you have recently had a heart attack;
* you are allergic to similar antidepressants (amitriptyline,
amoxapine, clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin,
imipramine, protriptyline, trimipramine); or
* you are allergic to certain seizure medications
(carbamazepine, eslicarbazepine, oxcarbazepine,
rufinamide).
Do not use nortriptyline if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past
14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors
include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine,
rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.
To make sure nortriptyline is safe for you, tell your doctor if you
have:
* heart disease, or a history of heart attack, stroke, or
seizures;
* bipolar disorder (manic-depression);
* schizophrenia or other mental illness;
* liver disease;
* a thyroid disorder;
* diabetes (nortriptyline may raise or lower blood sugar);
* narrow-angle glaucoma; or
* problems with urination.
Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an
antidepressant. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular
visits while you are using nortriptyline. Your family or other
caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
It is not known whether nortriptyline will harm an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using
this medication.
It is not known whether nortriptyline passes into breast milk or if it
could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.
Nortriptyline is not approved for use in children.
How should I take nortriptyline (Aventyl HCl, Pamelor)?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may
occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do
not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than
recommended.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are
using nortriptyline. You may need to stop using the medicine for a
short time.
Do not stop using nortriptyline suddenly, or you could have unpleasant
withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using
nortriptyline.
It may take a few weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the
medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not
improve.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Pamelor Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
Depression Overview:What is Depression?
Understanding Depression Slideshow
RxList
Take the Depression Quiz
Depression:Tips for Exercise Diet and Stress Reduction
Depression Tips Slideshow Pictures
What happens if I miss a dose (Aventyl HCl, Pamelor)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose (Aventyl HCl, Pamelor)?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
1-800-222-1222. An overdose of nortriptyline can be fatal.
What should I avoid while taking nortriptyline (Aventyl HCl, Pamelor)?
Do not drink alcohol. Nortriptyline can increase the effects of
alcohol, which could be dangerous.
This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if
you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Nortriptyline can make you
sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen
(SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
What other drugs will affect nortriptyline (Aventyl HCl, Pamelor)?
Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy can worsen
this effect. Ask your doctor before taking nortriptyline with a
sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine
for anxiety, depression, or seizures.
Before taking nortriptyline, tell your doctor if you have used an
"SSRI" antidepressant in the past 5 weeks, such as citalopram,
escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, or
sertraline. You must wait at least 5 weeks after stopping
fluoxetine (Prozac) before you can take nortriptyline.
Many drugs can interact with nortriptyline, which may cause unwanted or
dangerous effects. This includes prescription and over-the-counter
medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions
are listed in this medication guide. Tell your doctor about all
medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your
treatment with nortriptyline. Give a list of all your medicines to any
healthcare provider who treats you.
Where can I get more information (Aventyl HCl, Pamelor)?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about nortriptyline.
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