Nortriptyline Capsules

What is this medication?

NORTRIPTYLINE (nor TRIP ti leen) treats depression. It increases the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, substances that help regulate mood. It belongs to a group of medications called tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Aventyl, Pamelor

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Bipolar disorder
• Brugada syndrome
• Frequently drink alcohol
• Glaucoma
• Heart or blood vessel conditions
• History of heart attack or stroke
• Liver disease
• Schizophrenia
• Seizures
• Suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt by you or a family member
• Thyroid disease
• Trouble passing urine
• An unusual or allergic reaction to nortriptyline, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breastfeeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication 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. Do not stop taking this medication suddenly except upon the advice of your care team. Stopping this medication too quickly may cause serious side effects or your condition may worsen.

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 care team about the use of this medication 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 if I miss a dose?

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 medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Cisapride
• Dronedarone
• Linezolid
• MAOIs, such as Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
• Methylene blue (injected into a vein)
• Pimozide
• Thioridazine

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Alcohol
• Antihistamines for allergy, cough, and cold
• Atropine
• Buspirone
• Certain medications for bladder problems, such as oxybutynin or tolterodine
• Certain medications for depression, such as amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline
• Certain medications for headaches, such as sumatriptan or rizatriptan
• Certain medications for Parkinson disease, such as benztropine or trihexyphenidyl
• Certain medications for stomach problems, such as dicyclomine or hyoscyamine
• Certain medications for travel sickness, such as scopolamine
• Chlorpropamide
• Cimetidine
• Fentanyl
• Ipratropium
• Lithium
• Other medications that cause heart rhythm changes, such as dofetilide
• Quinidine
• Reserpine
• St. John's wort
• Thyroid medication
• Tramadol
• Tryptophan

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 medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. It may be some time before you see the benefit from this medication.

This medication may cause thoughts of suicide or depression. This includes sudden changes in mood, behaviors, or thoughts. These changes can happen at any time but are more common in the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose. Call your care team right away if you experience these thoughts or worsening depression.

This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects.

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

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

This medication will cause constipation. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days, call your care team.

This medication 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 sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps, tanning beds, or tanning booths.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing
• Irritability, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat, muscle stiffness, twitching muscles, sweating, high fever, seizure, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, which may be signs of serotonin syndrome
• Seizures
• Sudden eye pain or change in vision such as blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss
• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
• Trouble passing urine

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Change in sex drive or performance
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Tremors or shaking

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 medication?

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 medication after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.