Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSide EffectsDiscontinuing UseOverdoseContraindications and InteractionsFrequently Asked Questions
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Table of Contents
Side Effects
Discontinuing Use
Overdose
Contraindications and Interactions
Frequently Asked Questions
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As with all prescription drugs, nortriptyline comes with the risk of certain side effects. Here’s a guide to what you need to watch out for when taking this medication.
The Most Important Things to Know About NortriptylineSome nortriptyline side effects, such as hallucinations and seizures, can be serious, requiring immediate medical attention.Side effects can also occur when stopping nortriptyline use or if you take too much of this drug.Certain people should not take nortriptyline, and it can interact with other medications.
The Most Important Things to Know About Nortriptyline
Some nortriptyline side effects, such as hallucinations and seizures, can be serious, requiring immediate medical attention.Side effects can also occur when stopping nortriptyline use or if you take too much of this drug.Certain people should not take nortriptyline, and it can interact with other medications.
Side Effects of Nortriptyline
Like other medications, nortriptyline can have potential side effects. Not everyone will experience all these side effects and the severity can vary from one person to the next.
Common Side Effects
The most common nortriptyline side effects include:
Some people also experience nausea, nightmares, trouble urinating or frequent urination, excessive sweating, orchanges in sex drivewhen taking nortriptyline.
Generally, these side effects are mild. If you find that they are problematic, persistent, or worsen over time, however, talk to your healthcare provider.
Potentially Serious Side Effects
Some side effects of nortriptyline aren’t as common but can be serious when they do occur. They include:
Like with all antidepressants, it’s also important to monitor for worsening of the depression orsuicidal thoughts or behaviors. If you experience any serious side effects when taking nortriptyline, contact your physician right away or seek immediate medical attention.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Negative Side Effects of Antidepressants
Discontinuing Nortriptyline
Stopping nortriptyline suddenly or greatly reducing its dosage can lead to certain effects as well. These effects are known asantidepressant withdrawal or discontinuation syndromeand include flu-like symptoms such as headache, nausea, irritability, vomiting or diarrhea, restlessness, trouble sleeping, vivid dreams, and unusual excitement.
Never stop taking a medication without first consulting the prescribing physician. If it is decided that you should stop taking nortriptyline, your physician may recommend gradually tapering or reducing your dose to help reduce or eliminate these effects.
Nortriptyline Overdose
It is possible tooverdose on nortriptyline. Nortriptyline overdose can be life-threatening and, in addition to appearing in the form of serious side effects such as those listed above, may include symptoms such as:
Signs of overdose can develop quickly and require immediate medical attention.
Drug Overdose Signs and Treatment
Contraindications and Interactions for Nortriptyline
The potential side effects of nortriptyline aren’t the only thing to consider before taking this drug. You should also be aware of its contraindications and the risk of interaction with other drugs.
Contraindications
You should not take nortriptyline if:
Interactions
Nortriptyline can interact with other medications. Such interactions can affect how each medication works or lead to unwanted side effects.
Medications that can interact with nortriptyline include:
If nortriptyline is taken with drugs that affect serotonin levels or metabolism, it can result inserotonin syndrome.This syndrome may be life-threatening and includes symptoms such as dizziness, nausea or vomiting, increased heart rate, delirium, and hallucinations.
Alcohol amplifies the sedative effects of nortriptyline. It is best to avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking nortriptyline.
Always tell your healthcare provider if you are taking other medications, supplements, herbal remedies, or illicit substances as any of these can interact with nortriptyline.
Can You Drink Alcohol While You’re on a Medication?
Summary
While most people do not experience serious side effects when taking nortriptyline, even mild effects can be bothersome. Knowing what to look for can help you recognize if the symptoms you are experiencing may be due to taking this drug.
Frequently Asked QuestionsNortriptyline can cause feelings of drowsiness or excitement. It is important to find out how the medication affects you and work with your physician to determine the best time to take it. For instance, taking this medication in the evening, prior to bedtime can help if it makes you feel tired.Some medications that may interact with nortriptyline include anticholinergic drugs, blood pressure medications, and certain gastrointestinal or blood sugar medicines.Nortriptyline has a half-life of 37 hours.The half-life refers to how long it takes for half of the medication to be eliminated from your system. This means that nortriptyline can remain in the body for around five to six days.Learn More:Overview of a Medication’s Half-Life
Nortriptyline can cause feelings of drowsiness or excitement. It is important to find out how the medication affects you and work with your physician to determine the best time to take it. For instance, taking this medication in the evening, prior to bedtime can help if it makes you feel tired.
Some medications that may interact with nortriptyline include anticholinergic drugs, blood pressure medications, and certain gastrointestinal or blood sugar medicines.
Nortriptyline has a half-life of 37 hours.The half-life refers to how long it takes for half of the medication to be eliminated from your system. This means that nortriptyline can remain in the body for around five to six days.Learn More:Overview of a Medication’s Half-Life
Nortriptyline has a half-life of 37 hours.The half-life refers to how long it takes for half of the medication to be eliminated from your system. This means that nortriptyline can remain in the body for around five to six days.
Learn More:Overview of a Medication’s Half-Life
7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Guzinski M, Lindner E, Pendley B, Chaum E.Electrochemical sensor for tricyclic antidepressants with low nanomolar detection limit: Quantitative determination of amitriptyline and nortriptyline in blood.Talanta. 2022;239:123072. doi:10.1016/j.talanta.2021.123072Laux G.Nortriptyline and maprotiline for depressions.NeuroPsychopharmacother. 2021:1-7. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-56015-1_436-1National Library of Medicine.Nortriptyline.Gabriel M, Sharma V.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.CMAJ.2017;189(21):E747. doi:10.1503/cmaj.160991U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Pamelor (nortriptyline HCl) label.Abdelrahman A, Borden M, Ghamloush MA.Agitated delirium in an intravenous drug user: Don’t jump to conclusions.Am J Resp Crit Care Med. 2018:197:A6929.Peters P, Miller RK, Schaefer C.Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation: Treatment Options and Risk Assessment.
7 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Guzinski M, Lindner E, Pendley B, Chaum E.Electrochemical sensor for tricyclic antidepressants with low nanomolar detection limit: Quantitative determination of amitriptyline and nortriptyline in blood.Talanta. 2022;239:123072. doi:10.1016/j.talanta.2021.123072Laux G.Nortriptyline and maprotiline for depressions.NeuroPsychopharmacother. 2021:1-7. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-56015-1_436-1National Library of Medicine.Nortriptyline.Gabriel M, Sharma V.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.CMAJ.2017;189(21):E747. doi:10.1503/cmaj.160991U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Pamelor (nortriptyline HCl) label.Abdelrahman A, Borden M, Ghamloush MA.Agitated delirium in an intravenous drug user: Don’t jump to conclusions.Am J Resp Crit Care Med. 2018:197:A6929.Peters P, Miller RK, Schaefer C.Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation: Treatment Options and Risk Assessment.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Guzinski M, Lindner E, Pendley B, Chaum E.Electrochemical sensor for tricyclic antidepressants with low nanomolar detection limit: Quantitative determination of amitriptyline and nortriptyline in blood.Talanta. 2022;239:123072. doi:10.1016/j.talanta.2021.123072Laux G.Nortriptyline and maprotiline for depressions.NeuroPsychopharmacother. 2021:1-7. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-56015-1_436-1National Library of Medicine.Nortriptyline.Gabriel M, Sharma V.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.CMAJ.2017;189(21):E747. doi:10.1503/cmaj.160991U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Pamelor (nortriptyline HCl) label.Abdelrahman A, Borden M, Ghamloush MA.Agitated delirium in an intravenous drug user: Don’t jump to conclusions.Am J Resp Crit Care Med. 2018:197:A6929.Peters P, Miller RK, Schaefer C.Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation: Treatment Options and Risk Assessment.
Guzinski M, Lindner E, Pendley B, Chaum E.Electrochemical sensor for tricyclic antidepressants with low nanomolar detection limit: Quantitative determination of amitriptyline and nortriptyline in blood.Talanta. 2022;239:123072. doi:10.1016/j.talanta.2021.123072
Laux G.Nortriptyline and maprotiline for depressions.NeuroPsychopharmacother. 2021:1-7. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-56015-1_436-1
National Library of Medicine.Nortriptyline.
Gabriel M, Sharma V.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.CMAJ.2017;189(21):E747. doi:10.1503/cmaj.160991
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Pamelor (nortriptyline HCl) label.
Abdelrahman A, Borden M, Ghamloush MA.Agitated delirium in an intravenous drug user: Don’t jump to conclusions.Am J Resp Crit Care Med. 2018:197:A6929.
Peters P, Miller RK, Schaefer C.Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation: Treatment Options and Risk Assessment.
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