Pamelor

What Is Pamelor?

Pamelor (nortriptyline HCl) is an antidepressant that is used to treat mental/mood problems such as depression.

What Are Side Effects of Pamelor?

Common side effects of Pamelor include:

• fast heart rate,
• blurred vision,
• urinary retention,
• dry mouth,
• constipation,
• weight gain or loss,
• dizziness upon standing (orthostatic hypotension),
• tingly feeling,
• weakness,
• lack of coordination,
• unpleasant taste,
• nausea,
• ringing in your ears,
• breast swelling (in men or women),
• decreased sex drive,
• impotence, or
• difficulty having an orgasm.

Dosage for Pamelor

Tell the doctor immediately if you notice any of these side effects of Pamelor, especially worsening of depression or other psychiatric conditions.

Pamelor is administered orally in the form of capsules or liquid. Lower than usual dosages are recommended for elderly patients and adolescents.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Pamelor?

Pamelor may interact with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing (sleeping pills, narcotic pain medicines, muscle relaxers, or medicines for anxiety, depression, or seizures), bupropion, cimetidine, reserpine, St. John's wort, terbinafine, other antidepressants or medication to treat mental illness, bladder or urinary medicines, bronchodilators, cold or allergy medicines that contain an antihistamine, medications for Parkinson's disease; medications to treat excess stomach acid, stomach ulcer, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome; decongestants, diet pills, stimulants, or heart rhythm medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Pamelor During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Pamelor; it is unknown if it will harm a fetus. It is unknown if Pamelor passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Additional Information

Our Pamelor Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• seizure (convulsions);
• new or worsening chest pain, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
• sudden numbness or weakness, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
• fever, sore throat, easy bruising, unusual bleeding;
• painful or difficult urination; or
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Common side effects may include:

• increased blood pressure;
• numbness or tingling in your hands or feet;
• dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
• blurred vision;
• rash, itching; or
• breast swelling (in men or women).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the entire detailed patient monograph for Pamelor (Nortriptyline HCl)