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Vivactil, |protriptyline

protriptyline

Generic Name: protriptyline (proe TRIP ti leen)
Brand Names: Vivactil

What is protriptyline?

Protriptyline is in a group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. Protriptyline affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced.

Protriptyline is used to treat symptoms of depression.

Protriptyline may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about protriptyline?

You may have suicidal thoughts or behavior when you start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are under 18 years old. You will need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts. Your doctor should check you at regular visits during the first 12 weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking protriptyline?

Before taking protriptyline, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• heart disease;

• a history of heart attack, stroke, or seizures;

• bipolar disorder (manic-depression);

• schizophrenia or other mental illness;

• diabetes (protriptyline may raise or lower blood sugar);

• glaucoma; or

• problems with urination.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use protriptyline, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

You may have suicidal thoughts or behavior when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are under 18 years old. Watch for worsening symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts. Your doctor should check you at regular visits during the first 12 weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.

In addition to you watching for changes in your own symptoms, your family or caregivers should be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

How should I take protriptyline?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking protriptyline. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

What happens if I miss a 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.

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of a protriptyline overdose may include extreme drowsiness, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, blurred vision, muscle stiffness, feeling hot or cold, seizure (convulsions), or coma.

What should I avoid while taking protriptyline?

Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, medicine for seizures, or other antidepressants). They can add to sleepiness caused by protriptyline.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with protriptyline. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor before increasing or decreasing the amount of grapefruit products in your diet.

Protriptyline side effects

• fast, pounding, or uneven heart rate;

• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;

• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;

• sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;

• confusion, hallucinations, or seizure (convulsions);

• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

• restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;

• urinating less than usual or not at all;

• extreme thirst with headache, nausea, vomiting, and weakness; or

• feeling light-headed or fainting.

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite;

• constipation or diarrhea;

• dry mouth, unpleasant taste;

• weakness, lack of coordination;

• feeling anxious, restless, dizzy, drowsy, or tired;

• sleep problems (insomnia), nightmares;

• blurred vision, headache, ringing in your ears;

• breast swelling (in men or women); or

• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect protriptyline?

Before taking protriptyline, tell your doctor if you have used an "SSRI" antidepressant in the past 5 weeks, such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft).

Before taking protriptyline, tell your doctor if you are currently using any of the following drugs:

• cimetidine (Tagamet);

• guanethidine (Ismelin);

• tramadol (Ultram);

• heart rhythm medications such as flecainide (Tambocor), propafenone (Rhythmol), or quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute); or

• anti-psychotic medications such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), thioridazine (Mellaril), clozapine (Clozaril), olanzapine (Zyprexa, Zydis), quetiapine (Seroquel), risperidone (Risperdal), ziprasidone (Geodon), and others.

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use protriptyline, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There are many other medicines that can interact with protriptyline. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has information about protriptyline written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Protriptyline is available with a prescription under the brand name Vivactil. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication especially if it is new to you.

• Vivactil 5 mg--oval, orange, film-coated tablets

• Vivactil 10 mg--oval, yellow, film-coated tablets

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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