These two drugs have been the topics of conversation in the people who are suffering from depression. There might be many reasons why people suffer from depression and its related consequences.
Some of the reasons might be an imbalance of chemicals present in the brain i.e. neurotransmitters, serotonin, and dopamine that confer depression.
Nortriptyline and Amitriptyline
Here in this blog, we will discuss two such drugs in detail that are Nortriptyline and Amitriptyline. Nortriptyline and Amitriptyline differences, types, and side effects are given below.
What is Nortriptyline?
Nortriptyline is a drug that is used to treat depression in an individual. It belongs to the drug class of tricyclic antidepressants.
The medicine is sold under two brand names that are Pamelor and Aventyl HCL. The drug was approved by the Food And Drug Administration (FDA) in the US on November 6, 1964. The drug is a prescription-only drug.
Things to Avoid if Consuming Nortriptyline
You might have to avoid the drug due to simultaneous use of other medications that affect the consumption of Nortriptyline or you might have an allergic reaction to the use of this drug.
Some of the scenarios, which are unambiguous and are the reasons why should you avoid using this drug are as follows:
Try not to use MAO inhibitors with Nortriptyline. Avoid using MAO inhibitors at least 14-15 days before consuming this drug.
Some people might also have suicidal thoughts after consuming this antidepressant. Be alert for changes in the mood.
On a serious note, one needs to consult an expert healthcare professional if he/she has serious symptoms such as:
- Changes in mood or behavior
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Trouble sleeping
- Feeling impulsive
- Irritation
- Agitation
- Hostile
- Aggression
- Restlessness
- Hyperactivity (mentally or physically)
- Serious depression
- Thoughts about committing suicide
Bring to the knowledge of a doctor if you have ever used antidepressants such as “SSRI” Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in the past five weeks, which are as follows:
- Citalopram
- Fluoxetine
- Fluvoxamine
- Paroxetine
- Trazodone
Make sure that you inform each and every problem that you are facing or have ever faced in order to get yourself the correct treatment. Some necessary medical conditions to inform are as follows:
- Unexpected fainting.
- Brugada syndrome – A heart disease.
- An unusual family history of death at a younger age than 45 years.
- Congenital heart disease.
- A stroke or heart attack.
- Multiple episodes of seizure.
- Bipolar disorder.
- Mental illness or schizophrenia.
- Thyroid disease.
- Problem while urinating.
- Inform if you are taking electric shock treatment.
Strength and Dosage of Nortriptyline
The medicine is available in different strengths and dosages as different bodies require different suitable potency of the drug.
Basically, the drug is available in three strengths, which are as follows:
- 10 mg
- 25 mg
- 50 mg
Usually, an oral dose of 25 mg 3 to 4 times a day is prescribed to an adult. The maximum dose goes up to 150 mg a day. A dose of 30 to 50 mg a day is prescribed to old age people. The medicine is available in an oblong shape in the form of a capsule and is half orange and white in color.
What is Amitriptyline?
Amitriptyline is an antidepressant that is used to treat depression in an individual. Unlabeled use of this medicine is to treat insomnia, migraine, treatment of compulsive eating, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), anxiety or bipolar disorder, etc.
It belongs to the drug class of tricyclic antidepressants and is sold under three brand names that are Elavil, Endep, and Vanatrip.It was approved by the FDA in the US on April 7, 1961.
Things That are to be Avoided With Simultaneous Consumption of Amitriptyline
If you have used MAO inhibitor in the past few days i.e. 14 days such as:
- Isocarboxazid
- Linezolid
- Methylene blue injection
- Phenelzine
- Rasagiline
- Selegiline
You must avoid Amitriptyline if you have consumed these inhibitors in the last 14 days. On the very first consumption of the medicine, you might have suicidal thoughts predominantly if you are younger than 24 years old. You will require 12 weeks of doctor’s routine check-ups.
You must immediately consult the doctor if before things get worse such as:
- Behavioral changes
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Trouble sleeping
- Impulsiveness
- Irritation.
- Agitation
- Hostile
- Aggressiveness
- Restlessness
- Hyperactive
- Depression at a severe level
- Self-suicidal thoughts also you might be hurting yourself.
With the simultaneous consumption of the drug avoid using medications such as:
- Other medications related to depression
- Medicines that are used to treat colds and allergies.
- A drug that is used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
- Stomach pain medicines.
- Drugs that are used to treat asthma.
Strength and Doses of Amitriptyline
The medicine is round in shape and brown in color. The ZA 2 variant of the drug is also round in shape, but green in color.
The drug is available in different strengths, which are as follows:
- 10 mg
- 25 mg
- 50 mg
An initial oral dosage of 75 mg per day is divided into doses for adults 40 to 100 mg per day is considered as maintenance dosage.150 mg per day is the maximum dosage for an adult.
Conclusion
Such medications should be taken under the guidance of an expert medical professional. Keep the medicine safe from children and consult a healthcare expert before giving them medications, as the wrong dosage of the medication can have adverse effects.
