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Pamelor - Uses & Side Effects

Generic name: Nortriptyline hydrochloride
Other brand name: Aventyl

Pamelor (nortryptyline) is prescribed to treat depression .

Pamelor is a trycyclic antidepressant (TCA) and works by bringing the levels of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine to normal levels.

This medication is also used to manage chronic, severe pain; decrease bed-wetting; help severe PMS; control symptoms of ADHD; and may have a role in helping tinnitus (a buzzing, ringing, or whistling sound in one or both ears without an external stimulus).

This medication may also be prescribed for purposes other than what's listed above.

Pamelor Dosage

• If under 18 years of age, Only under the care of a child psychiatrist.
• 18 to 60 years of age, 25 mg to 50 mg daily.
• Over 60 years of age, Lower dosage increased cautiously.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

Uses of Pamelor

• Nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor) is a tricyclic antidepressant used to treat depression.
• It is also used to treat chronic pain and other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Side Effects of Pamelor

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Pamelor. Side effects may include:

• Anxiety, blurred vision, confusion, dry mouth, hallucinations, heart attack or vascular heart blockage, heartbeat irregularities, high blood pressure, insomnia, loss of muscle coordination, low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, sensitivity to sunlight, skin rash, stroke, tremors, weight loss.
• Headache, nausea, vague feeling of bodily discomfort.

Warnings and precautions before taking Pamelor:

• In clinical studies, antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children and adolescents with depression and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of Pamelor or any other antidepressant in a child or adolescent must balance this risk with the clinical need. Pamelor is not approved for use in children.
• Do not use this drug along with ECT. ( Electroconvulsive therapy ).
• Pamelor may cause you to become drowsy or less alert; therefore, you should not drive or operate dangerous machinery or participate in any hazardous activity that requires full mental alertness until you know how Pamelor affects you.
• Do not take this drug if planning to become pregnant. Do not take if you are breast-feeding.

Drug Interaction :- If Pamelor is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either can be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Pamelor with the following:

• Airway-opening drugs such as Ventolin and Proventil
  
• Antidepressants such as Wellbutrin and Desyrel
  
• Antidepressants that act on serotonin, such as Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft
  
• Blood pressure medications such as Catapres and Esimil
  
• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
  
• Chlorpropamide (Diabinese)
  
• Drugs for heart irregularities, such as Tambocor and Rythmol

Overdose

An overdose of this type of antidepressant can be fatal. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical help immediately. Symptoms of Pamelor overdose may include:

• Agitation, coma, confusion, congestive heart failure, convulsions, dilated pupils, disturbed concentration, drowsiness, excessive reflexes, extremely high fever, fluid in the lungs, hallucinations, irregular heartbeat, low body temperature, restlessness, rigid muscles, severely low blood pressure, shock, stupor, vomiting.