Pamelor (Nortriptyline)

Description

Pamelor is a brand name for nortriptyline HCL, an antidepressant used to treat mood disorders such as clinical depression. Pamelor is sometimes used to treat childhood enuresis, chronic fatigue syndrome and migraines.

 

Pamelor is available in a pill form for oral consumption.

 

Drug Information

 

The active ingredient in Pamelor is a tricyclic antidepressant called nortriptyline HCL. Nortriptyline can affect the balance of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine in the brain, thus relieving symptoms of psychiatric mood disorders and depression. Nortriptyline HCL is particularly effective against endogenous depression, which is characterised by abnormal behavior in the endogenous opioids produced by the body.

 

Nortriptyline HCL is sometimes prescribed to treat childhood bedwetting (enuresis), panic disorders, and rarely, chronic fatigue syndrome and migraines, if other medications do not work.

 

Pamelor is mainly prescribed for patients with depression.

 

 

 

Dosage

 

Pamelor is available mainly in capsule form that patients should swallow. Dosage depends on as prescribed by a healthcare practitioner.

 

Carefully read all instructions in the patient information leaflet that comes with the package before using. Ask a healthcare practitioner or a pharmacist if any of the instructions are not clear.

 

Do not take Pamelor more or less than directed. More could result in an overdose, and less would not be effective against the medical condition.

 

Black Label Warning

 

Pamelor, as with similar tricyclic antidepressants, comes with a black label warning against increased risk of suicide in users.

 

Tricyclic antidepressants like Pamelor can increase the risk of suicidal behavior and thought in children, teens and young adults. Therefore, caregivers should pay close attention to mood swings and unusual behavior in patients who begin Pamelor treatments.

 

Pamelor is not prescribed for children under 12 years due to safety concerns.

 

Side Effects

 

Following side effects can occur when undergoing nortriptyline HCL treatment:

 

 Fainting feeling
 Dry mouth
 Chest pain and fluttering heartbeat
 Numbness
 Dizziness
 Blurred vision
 Fever or sore throat
 Restless muscles
 Painful urination
 Convulsions
 Abdominal pain
 Nausea
 Constipation
 Ringing in ears
 Decreased sex drive and possible impotence
 Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
 Lack of coordination in limbs
 Feeling weak
 Loss of appetite

 

Possibly severe side effects experienced with tricyclic antidepressants not limited to Pamelor:

 

 Hypertension
 Hypotension
 Hallucinations
 Exacerbation of psychosis or depression
 Stroke
 Myocardial infarction

 

Seek immediate medical care if side effects continue to persist or worsen over time.

 

Precautions

 

Nortriptyline HCL can dangerously interact with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) such as linezolid, selegiline, methylene blue, isocarboxazid, phenelzine and rasagiline. It’s recommend to wait at least 14 days in between these drugs to avoid a life-threatening condition called Serotonin Syndrome.

 

 Do not take Pamelor if allergic to nortriptyline HCL or other tricyclic antidepressants.

 

 Do not take Pamelor if pregnant, breastfeeding or suspected to be pregnant without explicit instructions from a physician.

 

 Do not drive if Pamelor causes side effects such as blurred vision or dizziness.

 

Patients with a history of heart conditions, liver problems, breathing problems, bleeding problems or mood disorders such as bipolar disorder or psychosis, should disclose such facts to a healthcare practitioner before taking Pamelor.