What is this medicine?
NORTRIPTYLINE (nor TRIP ti leen) is used to treat depression.
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What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
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They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-bipolar disorder or schizophrenia
-glaucoma
-heart disease or recent heart attack
-if you frequently drink alcohol containing drinks
-liver disease
-over active thyroid
-seizures
-thoughts or plans of suicide or a previous suicide attempt or family history of suicide attempt
-trouble passing urine or prostate trouble
-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?
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Take this medicine by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure each dose. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one. Household spoons are not accurate. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.
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.
What if I miss a dose?
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If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What may interact with this medicine?
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Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
-arsenic trioxide
-certain medicines medicines for irregular heart beat
-cisapride
-halofantrine
-linezolid
-MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
-methylene blue (injected into a vein)
-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
-medicines for seizures like carbamazepine or phenytoin
-reserpine
-thyroid medicine
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
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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?
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Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
-abnormal production of milk in females
-allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
-breast enlargement in both males and females
-breathing problems
-confusion
-fast, irregular heartbeat
-fever with increased sweating
-hallucinations
-loss of bladder control
-muscle stiffness or spasms
-pain, tingling, numbness in the hands or feet
-seizures
-suicidal thoughts or other mood changes
-swelling of the testicles
-trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
-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
Where should I keep my medicine?
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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. Protect from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Information on use before, during and after pregnancy.
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Lactation
Caution - Not enough information is available to rule out harm to infants when this drug is taken by nursing mothers.
