Pamelor Medication - Uses & Side Effects
Brand name: Pamelor
Pronounced: PAM-eh-lore
Generic name: Nortriptyline hydrochloride
Other brand name: Aventyl
Nortriptyline is an antidepressant medication of the tricyclic class. It is one of the drugs known as tricyclic antidepressants. Medications in this class are often referred to as tricyclic antidepressants, or TCAs. It increases the pressor effect of norepinephrine but blocks the pressor response of phenethylamine. Pamelor is prescribed for the relief of symptoms of depression. In patients younger than 18 years, the period of risk may extend beyond start of therapy or when doses are changed. Use of this medicine is not recommended if you have a history of glaucoma or increased pressure in the eye, enlarged prostate, or heart conditions. It is not an MAO inhibitor. It inhibits the activity of such diverse agents as histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and acetylcholine. Pamelor must be taken regularly to be effective and it may be several weeks before you begin to feel better.
Pamelor Dosage:
- The dose of these medicines will be different for different patients.
- It may take several weeks after starting to take nortriptyline until the full effects of a dose to be seen.
- For children it may be given 30 to 50 milligrams per day, either in a single dose or divided into smaller doses, as determined by your doctor.
- Doses above 150 milligrams per day are not recommended.
- For adults the usual starting dosage is 25 milligrams, 3 or 4 times per day.
- For Older adults The usual dose is 30 to 50 milligrams taken in a single dose or divided into smaller doses, as determined by your doctor.
Uses of Pamelor:
- Pamelor is prescribed for the relief of symptoms of depression.
- Nortriptyline is also a sedative and is useful in depressed patients with insomnia, restlessness, and nervousness.
- It also has been found to be helpful for treating chronic pain and the pain of neuralgia.
Side Effects of Pamelor:
Some common side effects reported with this medicine include:
- Excessive urination at night.
- Fatigue, fever and fluid retention.
- Breast enlargement.
- Loss of muscle coordination.
- Blurred vision.
- Excessive or spontaneous flow of milk.
- Sensitivity to sunlight.
- High or low blood pressure.
- Dry mouth.
- Inflammation of the mouth.
- Reddish or purplish spots on skin.
- Loss of appetite.
- Abdominal cramps.
- Weight gain or loss.
Warnings and precautions before taking Pamelor:
- Tell your doctor before taking Pamelor, If you have had a recent heart attack.
- The use of nortriptyline in schizophrenic patients may result in an exacerbation of the psychosis or may activate latent schizophrenic symptoms.
- If you are being treated for a severe mental disorder (schizophrenia or manic depression), tell your doctor before taking Pamelor.
- Tell your doctor before taking Pamelor, If you have an allergy to another tricyclic antidepressant, nortriptyline, or any other part of the medicine.
- Do not take nortriptyline if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor within the last 14 days.
- Do not use over-the-counter medications to treat depression without talking or checking with your doctor.
- Do not use if you are breast-feeding.
Drug Interaction:
If you are taking certain drugs with pamelor, then other drugs may decreased or increased and altered the effects. So it is important to check with your doctor before combining Pamelor with the following drugs such as includes:
- Amphetamines or
- Ephedrine or
- Medicine for asthma or other breathing problems or
- Antipsychotics (medicine for mental illness) or
- Antithyroid agents (medicine for overactive thyroid) or
- Promethazine (e.g., Phenergan).
Overdose:
- If you are taking pamelor and after taking you feel that the overdose is suspected, then contact with your doctor immediately.
- Symptoms of Pamelor overdose may include: Agitation, coma, convulsions, dilated pupils, disturbed concentration, hallucinations, low body temperature, shock, stupor, vomiting.
- US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222.
- Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
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