Drug information of Nortriptyline

Mechanism of effect

The mechanism of mood elevation by tricyclic antidepressants is at present unknown. Studies suggest that Nortriptyline hydrochloride interferes with the transport, release, and storage of catecholamines

Pharmacodynamic

Similar to protriptyline, nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant of the dibenzocycloheptene type and is the active metabolite of amitriptyline.

Pharmacokinetics

Well absorbed from the GI tract. Peak plasma concentrations occur 7-8.5 hours following oral administration. Highly protein-bound in plasma and tissues. Undergoes hepatic metabolism via the same pathway as other TCAs. Approximately one-third of a single orally administered dose is excreted in urine within 24 hours. Small amounts are excreted in feces via biliary elimination. Half life:16 to 90+ hours.

Drug indications

Depression

Dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Depression 25 mg orally three or four times per day Maximum dose: 150 mg orally per day

Drug contraindications

hypersensitivity to drug or its components. , Concomitant with MAOIs , Myocardial infarction

Side effects

insomnia , dry mouth , Tachycardia , rash , Hypertension , hypotension , cardiac arrhythmias , palpitations , anxiety , Tremor , ataxia , MI , Tinnitus , mydriasis

Interactions

Ergotamine-C , Acetylcholine , Expectorant , Bupropion , Tranylcypromine , Duloxetine , Dobutamine , Salbutamol , Sibutramine , Cisapride , Fluvoxamine , Fluoxetine , Galantamine , Modafinil , Cimetidine , Sertraline , Flecainide , Quinidine , Venlafaxine , Clozapine , Yohimbine , Cyclobenzaprine , Ranolazine , potassium citrate , Sodium Oxybate , Toremifene , Tapentadol , safinamide , rasagiline , Diethylpropion , Phenindione , Dolasetron , Palonosetron , vandetanib , Droperidol , Procainamide , Mefloquine , Indapamide , Dofetilide , lisdexamfetamine , Peginterferon alfa-2b , Lorcaserin , pilocarpine oral , Arsenic trioxide , Desvenlafaxine , Xylometazoline , Propylhexedrine , Milnacipran , acrivastine+pseudoephedrine , Halofantrine , Grepafloxacin , Dexfenfluramine , chlorcyclizine + phenylephrine , Huperzine A , Arformoterol , Benzphetamine , Levalbuterol , Levomilnacipran , glycopyrrolate topical , 5-hydroxytryptophan , Bepridil , bedaquiline , Blonanserin , vemurafenib , Netupitant

Alerts

1-Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders 2-It should be noted that Nortriptyline hydrochloride is not approved for use in treating bipolar depression. 3-The pupillary dilation that occurs following use of many antidepressant drugs including Nortriptyline hydrochloride may trigger an angle-closure attack in a patient with anatomically narrow angles who does not have a patent iridectomy.

Points of recommendation

1-Patients, their families, and their caregivers should be encouraged to be alert to the emergence of anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, impulsivity, akathisia (psychomotor restlessness), hypomania, mania, other unusual changes in behavior, worsening of depression, and suicidal ideation, especially early during antidepressant treatment and when the dose is adjusted up or down 2-Patients should be advised that taking Nortriptyline hydrochloride can cause mild pupillary dilation, which in susceptible individuals, can lead to an episode of angle-closure glaucoma.

Pregnancy level

D

Related drugs

Amitriptyline , Doxepin , Amoxapine , protriptyline