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What Are The Side Effects Of Nortriptyline?

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Posted on Tue, 28 Oct 2014
Question: I just started nortryptileen today what side effects could I experience do they go away and how long does it take to build up in system. It's for anxiety depression and pain. Is experiencing more anxiety at first normal?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rovena (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for posting your query on HealthcareMagic!

I read carefully your query and understand your concern.

Nortriptyline is a type of medicine called a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). This type of medicine acts on nerve cells in the brain increasing the levels of serotonin and noradrenaline, which act to lighten mood.
It is used to treat depressive illness.

There are a large number of possible side effects of Nortriptyline including :
-Drowsiness, dizziness, low blood pressure,
-dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation,diarrhea, weight gain, or trouble urinating may occur.
-It can cause difficulty sleeping,feelings of panic, anxiousness, agitation may happen.

You have to know that this are possible side effects.The incidence of these side effects is not known.
It doesn't mean that you are going to have all these side effects or any of them.
You may use it for long term and never experience any of these side effects.
The severity of these side effects may vary from person to person.

It also may happen to experience some side effects when you start the treatment and usually these symptoms subside when your body adapt to the new treatment.

If you are experiencing anxiety from the treatment ,it will improve gradually until your body is adapted to the drug.
It may take between two to four weeks for the benefits of this medicine to appear, so it is very important that you keep taking it, even if it doesn't seem to make much difference at first.


Hope it helps.
Let me know if you have other questions or doubts to clarify.I will be happy to assist your further.
Kind Regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rovena (12 hours later)
So I should continue med even if I get anxiety ? I heard that you can get anxiety at first doesn't make sense since it's was prescribed for anxiety and depression and headaches wish me luck thanks I haven't been able to take other antideppresants so Iam praying this works
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rovena (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Continue with the treatment.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I apologize for the delay.

Nortriptyline is used to treat depressive illness ,panic disorder, generalized anxiety and PTSD.

One third of patients may experience more anxiety symptoms for the first two to three weeks. For this reason, the medication trial should probably be initiated with a low dose 10 to 25 mg and increasing gradually to the therapeutic dose between 50 and 75 mg per day.

You should continue the treatment.
The anxiety will improve gradually and the same is for other side effects that you may experience.They will go away gradually after 2-3 weeks of treatment.

If you take regularly the treatment you will have continued improvement for several months.

Hope I have answered your query.
Take care,
Dr.Rovena
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Rovena

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2013

Answered : 1243 Questions

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What Are The Side Effects Of Nortriptyline?

Brief Answer: Detailed below. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for posting your query on HealthcareMagic! I read carefully your query and understand your concern. Nortriptyline is a type of medicine called a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). This type of medicine acts on nerve cells in the brain increasing the levels of serotonin and noradrenaline, which act to lighten mood. It is used to treat depressive illness. There are a large number of possible side effects of Nortriptyline including : -Drowsiness, dizziness, low blood pressure, -dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation,diarrhea, weight gain, or trouble urinating may occur. -It can cause difficulty sleeping,feelings of panic, anxiousness, agitation may happen. You have to know that this are possible side effects.The incidence of these side effects is not known. It doesn't mean that you are going to have all these side effects or any of them. You may use it for long term and never experience any of these side effects. The severity of these side effects may vary from person to person. It also may happen to experience some side effects when you start the treatment and usually these symptoms subside when your body adapt to the new treatment. If you are experiencing anxiety from the treatment ,it will improve gradually until your body is adapted to the drug. It may take between two to four weeks for the benefits of this medicine to appear, so it is very important that you keep taking it, even if it doesn't seem to make much difference at first. Hope it helps. Let me know if you have other questions or doubts to clarify.I will be happy to assist your further. Kind Regards, Dr.Rovena Murati