INDICATIONS of Nortriptyline:
Nortriptyline relief the symptoms of depression.
Endogenous depressions are more likely to be alleviated than are other depressive states.
The mechanism of action of Nortriptyline: It inhibits the activity of such diverse agents as histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine,
and acetylcholine.
CONTRAINDICATIONS of Nortriptyline:
The use of Nortriptyline HCl with a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor is contraindicated.
* Patients hypersensitive to Nortriptyline should not be given the drug.
Nortriptyline is contraindicated during the acute recovery period after myocardial infarction.
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY:
The mechanism of mood elevation by tricyclic antidepressants is at present unknown.It inhibits the activity of such diverse agents as histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and acetylcholine. It inhibits the pressor effect of norepinephrine but blocks the pressor response of phenethylamine.
WARNINGS of Generic Nortriptyline:
* Patients with cardiovascular disease should be given Nortriptyline HCl only under close supervision.
Because of its anticholinergic activity, Nortriptyline should be used with great caution in patients who have glaucoma
or a history of urinary retention. Great care is required if Nortriptyline is given to hyperthyroid patients or to
those receiving thyroid medication, since cardiac arrhythmias may develop.
* Excessive consumption of alcohol in combination with nortriptyline therapy may have a potentiating effect,
which may lead to the danger of increased suicidal attempts or overdosage.
PRECAUTIONS of Nortriptyline:
General:Troublesome patient hostility may be aroused by the use of nortriptyline. Epileptiform seizures may accompany
its administration, as is true of other drugs of its class.
The possibility of a suicidal attempt by a depressed patient remains after the initiation of treatment.
Pregnancy: Safe use of nortriptyline HCl during pregnancy and lactation has not been established.
DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Administration of reserpine during therapy with a tricyclic antidepressant has been shown to produce a "stimulating"
effect in some depressed patients.
Close supervision and careful adjustment of the dosage are required when Nortriptyline is used with other
anticholinergic drugs and sympathomimetic drugs.
Concurrent administration of cimetidine and tricyclic antidepressants can produce clinically significant increases in
the plasma concentrations of the tricyclic antidepressant.
The patient should be informed that the response to alcohol may be exaggerated.
SIDE EFFECTS of Nortriptyline:
* Cardiovascular: Hypotension, hypertension, tachycardia, palpitation, myocardial infarction, arrhythmias,
heart block, stroke. Psychiatric: Confusional states (especially in the elderly) with hallucinations.
* Neurologic: ataxia, tremors; extrapyramidal symptoms. Anticholinergic: Dry mouth and rarely, blurred vision,
mydriasis; constipation, paralytic ileus; urinary retention.
* Allergic: Skin rash, petechiae, urticaria, itching, and photosensitization.
* Hematalogic: Bone marrow depression.
* Gastrointestinal: Nausea and vomiting, anorexia, epigastric distress, diarrhea.
* Endocrine: Gynecomastia in the male, breast enlargement and galactorrhea in the female.
OVERDOSE of Nortriptyline:
* Critical manifestations of overdose include: cardiac dysrhythmias, severe hypotension, shock, congestive heart failure,
pulmonary edema, convulsions, and CNS depression, including coma.
* Changes in the electrocardiogram, particularly in QRS axis or width, are clinically significant indicators of
tricyclic antidepressant toxicity.
* Other signs of overdose may include: confusion, restlessness, disturbed concentration, transient visual hallucinations,
dilated pupils, agitation, hyperactive reflexes, stupor, drowsiness, muscle rigidity, vomiting, hypothermia,
hyperpyrexia, or any of the acute symptoms listed under .
There have been reports of patients recovering from nortriptyline overdoses of up to 525 mg.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION of Nortriptyline:
* Nortriptyline HCl is not recommended for children.
* Lower than usual dosages are recommended for elderly patients and adolescents 30 to 50 mg/day, in divided doses,
or the total daily dosage may be given once a day.
* Usual Adult Dose: 25 mg three or four times daily.
* As an alternate regimen, the total daily dosage may be given once a day.
* Doses above 150 mg/day are not recommended.
How Supplied: Each pack of Ruz-Nortriptyline 10 mg or 25 mg tablets contain 100 film coated tablets in a bottle.
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