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Side Effects of Nortriptyline

Nortriptyline (brand name Pamelor) is a medication in a group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants, or TCAs. According to the Mayo Clinic, tricyclic antidepressants work on three different neurotransmitters in the brain--serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine--in order to relieve symptoms of depression. Scientists believe that when these neurotransmitters have abnormal activity, depression may strike, but tricyclic antidepressants may be able to work to improve a patient's behavior and moods.

  1. TCA Side Effects

    • Nortriptyline is just one drug in a group of tricyclic antidepressants. These specific antidepressants actually have more side effects than other antidepressants, according to the Mayo Clinic, because of which cells are affected by the drug. Some of the side effects that are more bothersome than dangerous are dry mouth, constipation, decreased sexual function, headaches, nausea and weakness. Some of the side effects can be quite dangerous. These are drowsiness, blurry vision, dizziness, increased heart rate, confusion and low blood pressure.

    Less Serious

    • Nortriptyline specifically has some side effects which may occur. There are many that are considered to be less serious than others. Many people will experience digestive problems, such as nausea, vomiting, pain in the stomach, a decrease in appetite and constipation or diarrhea. Some will experience problems inside their head, like headaches, ringing in the ears and blurred vision. Some other side effects that might occur in certain individuals are dry mouth, weakness, numbness in the extremities, a rash or increased sweating.

    Serious

    • Serious side effects related to an allergy to the medication could be hives, swelling of the face or difficulty breathing. Many side effects may come on suddenly, such as an uneven heart rate, chest pain, sweating, numbness on one side of the body, headache or confusion and fainting. Other serious side effects that may develop over time are hallucinations, seizures, muscle tics, decreasing urination, extreme thirst and easy bruising. If any of these side effects occur, seek medical attention immediately.

    Overdose

    • If you think you have taken too much nortriptyline, contact your doctor immediately. Too much nortriptyline can be fatal. If the doctor cannot be contacted immediately, seek emergency medical care elsewhere. There are certain side effects to watch for if you think you are overdosing on this medication. These side effects could be things such as drowsiness or confusion, hallucinations, blurred vision, vomiting or fainting. It could also be effects like muscle stiffness, feeling extreme temperature changes, seizures or going into a coma.

    Stopping Treatment

    • Even stopping treatment suddenly with nortriptyline may cause side effects. Most doctors do not consider drugs like nortriptyline to be addictive, but in many cases, when people stop taking drugs like these they begin to have symptoms that are like withdrawal symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, this is called discontinuation syndrome. These side effects are not considered to be dangerous. The most common ones are headaches, nausea, dizziness and lethargy. You may feel as though you have contracted the flu.

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