protriptyline

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

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

What is protriptyline?

Protriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant that is used to treat symptoms of depression.

Protriptyline may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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

• you have recently had a heart attack.

Do not use protriptyline if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and others.

Tell your doctor if you have used an "SSRI" antidepressant in the past 5 weeks, such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, or vilazodone.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease;
• a heart attack or stroke;
• a seizure;
• bipolar disorder (manic-depression);
• schizophrenia or other mental illness;
• a thyroid disorder;
• narrow-angle glaucoma;
• problems with urination;
• if you are receiving electroshock therapy.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How should I take protriptyline?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Your symptoms may not improve for up to a few weeks.

Tell your doctor if you have a planned surgery.

You may have withdrawal symptoms if you stop using protriptyline suddenly. Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include irregular heartbeats, feeling like you might pass out, seizures, coma.

What should I avoid while taking protriptyline?

What are the possible side effects of protriptyline?

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.

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

Common side effects may include:

• fast heartbeats;
• problems with balance or muscle movement;
• constipation;
• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
• breast swelling (in men or women); or
• decreased sex drive, impotence.

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.

What other drugs will affect protriptyline?

Many drugs can affect protriptyline. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about protriptyline.