Pamelor (Nortriptyline)

General information

Pamelor is in a group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. It contains nortriptyline which affects chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain that may become unbalanced. This medication is used to treat mental or mood problems such as depression. This medication may also be used to treat nerve pain (such as peripheral neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia), other mental/mood problems (such as anxiety, panic disorder), or to help quit smoking.

Directions

Take Pamelor exactly as prescribed by your doctor. For depression treatment, the recommended dose is 25 mg three or four times per day. If you take more than 100 mg per day, your doctor should monitor the level of Pamelor in your blood. The recommended dose for teens or elderly people is Pamelor 30 mg to 50 mg total per day, taken all at once or split into smaller doses. Pamelor should be taken at the same times each day. It can be taken with or without food. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Precautions

Before taking Pamelor you should talk with your doctor if you have glaucoma, bipolar disorder, anxiety or agitation, liver problems, schizophrenia, hyperthyroidism, suicide attempts, suicidal thoughts, heart attack, heart problems, including heart disease, seizures, diabetes, bladder problems, enlarged prostate, any allergies. This drug may make you drowsy or dizzy or cause blurred vision. Do not drive or perform tasks that require alertness. Limit alcoholic beverages. It can cause dangerous side effects. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice. The elderly people appear to be more sensitive to Pamelor.

Contraindications

You should not take Pamelor if you are allergic to it, nortriptyline hydrochloride, or any of the inactive components of the medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have heart attack, have used a monoamine oxidase inhibitors within the last 14 days.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have fast or uneven heart rate, confusion, seizure, chest pain, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling, headache, sudden numbness, hives, difficulty breathing, panic attacks, weakness, mood or behavior changes, tremors, problems with vision, speech, or balance, hallucinations, feeling lightheaded, fainting, increased sweating, urinating less than usual, vomiting, stomach pain, weight changes, diarrhea, loss of appetite, skin rash, blurred vision, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, ringing in your ears. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: cimetidine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (selegiline, isocarboxazid, rasagiline), anticholinergic medications (clidinium, atropine, dicyclomine, belladonna, scopolamine), arrhythmia medications (propafenone, dofetilide, quinidine, amiodarone), barbiturates (butalbital, phenobarbital, pentobarbital, amobarbital), chlorpropamide, phenothiazine medications (perphenazine, trifluoperazine, chlorpromazine), tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, doxepin, protriptyline), pressors (epinephrine, dopamine, norepinephrine), SSRI or SNRI medications (fluvoxamine, citalopram, venlafaxine, escitalopram), thyroid medications (liotrix, thyroid). Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are extreme drowsiness, hallucinations, fast or irregular heartbeat, fainting, slow or shallow breathing, seizures.

Storage

Store the medicine at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.