Pamelor Drug Info
Pamelor Drug Uses: Pamelor is used to elevate the mood of patients with 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.
How to Use Pamelor: The dose of Pamelor is tailored to the patient's needs. Sometimes, physicians will start with relatively low doses, such as 25mg, given three times a day, to reduce the risk of excessive sedation early in the course of therapy; doses then will be increased slowly upwards. It may take several weeks after starting to take nortriptyline until the full effects of a dose to be seen. Other physicians prefer to give nortriptyline once daily, in which case it is generally given at bedtime to take advantage of its sedating properties. Elderly persons and patients with advanced liver disease may need lower doses.
Pamelor Precautions: Cimetidine (Tagamet) can increase nortriptyline blood levels and possibly cause side effects. Other drugs which share this effect include propafenone (Rythmol), flecainide (Tonocard), quinidine (Quinidex, Quinaglute), and fluoxetine (Prozac). There is very little information about the effects on the fetus of Pamelor given to pregnant women. Physicians may elect to use it if its benefits are deemed to outweigh potential risks. It is not known if Pamelor is secreted in breast milk.
Pamelor Drug Interactions: Pamelor exaggerates the effects of other medications and drugs that slow the brain's processes, such as alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines (e.g. lorazepam, Ativan), and narcotics. Reserpine, given to patients taking TCAs, can have a stimulatory effect. Nortriptyline and other TCAs should not be used with monoamine oxidase inhibiting drugs, for example, isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and procarbazine (Matulane). High fever, convulsions and even death can occur when these drugs are used together.
Pamelor Possible Side Effects: The most commonly encountered side effects associated with nortriptyline include fast heart rate, blurred vision, urinary retention, dry mouth, constipation, weight gain or loss, and low blood pressure on standing. Rash, hives, seizures, and hepatitis are rare side effects. Nortriptyline also can cause elevated pressure in the eyes of some patients with glaucoma. Overdose with nortriptyline can cause life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms or seizures.
Pamelor Overdose: Seek emergency medical attention immediately if an overdose is suspected. Symptoms of Pamelor overdose include: heart rhythms or seizures.
Pamelor Storage: Store Pamelor at room temperature away from moisture and sunlight. Avoid excessive heat. Avoid freezing. Keep out of the reach of children. Dispense of this medicine in a tight, light-resistant container. Do not store Pamelor in the bathroom.
Pamelor Missed Dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Disclaimer: The information found on online-rxpharma.com is for informational purposes only. It does not cover all possible uses, procedures, safety measures, side effects, or drug interactions of the products. We are not responsible for the accuracy and reliability of this drug information, or any consequences arising from the use of this information. This is only general information and should not be relied on for any purpose.
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