Nortriptyline The Medicine For Depression

Know anyone in depression? It is a sad situation. Seeing your loved one in that state is very sad. A common mental disorder, depression can affect anyone. The patient may look well from the outside but mentally not all is well. We all feel gloomy at times, but being in a state of perpetual sadness is depression.

The feeling of sadness refuses to go away and drives the person into a state where the patient lacks the energy to do anything, in fact carrying on with the daily routine is also very troublesome for the patients. Depressed people have trouble focusing or concentrating. They tend to have emotional outbursts and have a feeling of being worthless. Angry outbursts, sleep disturbances, and reduced appetite are all signs of depression, making the patient feel that life is not worth living for!

A mood disorder, medical depression is known as clinical depression or major depressive disorder. It is certainly not easy! The patient requires a lot of care, and love along with psychotherapy and medicines. The doctor usually prescribes a treatment plan consisting of both medicines and therapy to get better results. Medicines like Nortriptyline are effective in the treatment of depression.

Let us understand Nortriptyline

Nortriptyline is beneficial in treating mental problems such as depression and uplifting mood.
It works towards improving the overall mood and increasing the feelings of well-being.
It is also found useful to relieve any tension or anxiety. It helps to increase energy levels.
There are medications called tricyclic antidepressants, Nortriptyline belongs to this class of medicines. The primary job of Nortriptyline is to maintain the balance of certain natural chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain.

How is Nortriptyline available?

Nortriptyline is available in tablet as well as in liquid form.
It is popularly sold under the following brand names
•    Sensival. Wallace Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd.
•    Nortimer. Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
•    Primox. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
•    Nortrip. A N Pharmacia.
•    Nortin. La Pharmaceuticals.
•    Noritop. Tas Med India Pvt Ltd.
•    Norsed. RKG Pharma.
•    Daventyl. D D Pharmaceuticals.

How to take Nortriptyline?

The tablet is to be taken orally, by mouth.
The usual dose is one to four times a day.
In the case of the liquid form, you need to use a special measuring spoon to take the correct dose of medicine.
A regularity needs to be maintained to get the maximum benefit from the medicine.
A dedicated fixed time in a day is recommended to take Nortriptyline.
Never increase your dose or take it for a longer period than prescribed. This may lead to an increased risk of side effects.
You need to complete the course of medicine irrespective of your condition (even if you feel well)
Never suddenly stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Your conditions may worsen and you might experience some severe side effects.
If the doctor feels the medicine is not showing the desired results, he/she can gradually decrease the dose before stopping it altogether.

Dosage:

The doctor decides the dosage on several parameters including your age, medical condition, and other histories of response. It is a general practice to start the therapy with a minimum initial dose and eventually increase it as the therapy progresses.
It is crucial to follow all the instructions carefully. Take the medicine as directed by your doctor.

Dose for Depression:

In adults, the oral dose is 25 milligrams mg, 3 to 4 times per day. The maximum dose should not exceed 150 mg/day. The total daily dose can be given once a day if directed by the doctor.
The initial doses are low and are gradually increased.
In cases where doses above 100 mg per day are given, plasma levels need to be monitored. The plasma levels are to be maintained in the optimum range of 50 to 150 milligrams (mg)/milliliter (ml).

Before you take Nortriptyline

Not all drugs suit everyone. Not all drugs are safe for everyone. There is no uniformity in the response individuals have towards medicines. Each patient and each case are different. To get the best results in the treatment, it is crucial to discuss some things with your doctor before starting the treatment.

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to Nortriptyline 
Inform about all the medicines you take (prescription and non-prescription). Tell the doctor about any over-the-counter supplements, vitamins, or herbal products you are taking.

Taking all precautions, be sure to mention if you have any of the following conditions

•    You are taking anticoagulants (blood thinners)
•    If you have had a heart attack or any heart problem
•    If you are pregnant
•    If you are breast-feeding
•    If you have had any surgery
•    If you have done any dental procedure 
•    If you have had a dental surgery

Side effects of Nortriptyline

Nortriptyline may cause side effects. It is best to discuss any adverse effects you experience with your doctor. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away.

Some of the common side effects

•    Nausea
•    Drowsiness
•    Weakness or tiredness
•    Excitement or anxiety
•    Nightmares
•    Dry mouth
•    Changes in appetite or weight
•    Constipation
•    Experience difficulty while urination
•    Experiencing frequent urination
•    A change in the ability to have sex or have the sex drive
•    A problem of excessive sweating

Some side effects may be severe, it is important to monitor the side effects too. Discuss with your doctor and consult if you feel any severe side effects of the medicine.

Some severe side effects of Nortriptyline

•    Jaw, neck, and back muscle spasms
•    Slow or difficult speech
•    Shuffling walk
•    Shaking of body parts
•    Fever
•    Difficulty breathing 
•    Difficulty swallowing
•    Rash
•    Yellowing of the skin or eyes
•    Irregular heartbeat

Call your doctor and seek immediate medical attention if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.

Is Nortriptyline a safe medicine for you?

Today, with major advances in healthcare and medicine, you can certainly know if Nortriptyline is the drug for you or not. The pharmacogenetic test MEDNAwise from Indus Health Plus is a game changer!   
Your inherited genes play an important role in your overall well-being. Genes decide the body's response to the medicines you take. It is due to these genes that sometimes you experience immediate relief while sometimes there is a no-response situation. Sometimes you may even experience severe side effects.

MEDNAwise test scans your genes and studies the response of your body towards 70+ drugs from all the varied medical specialties. It is very easy for doctors to prescribe the most effective medicine with the least side effects. So, it is easy to have a personalized treatment plan, that gives faster results. MEDNAwise pharmacogenetic testing eliminates the traditional hit-and-trial method, giving better patient response and outcome. 
It is not complicated as it may sound. MEDNAwise is a quick and easy test. All you need to do is send your saliva swab for testing and it is done. You can take it anywhere within a matter of a few minutes. After the test, the detailed results are sent to you.  

The genetic counsellors are available for a free consultation on the test results. They guide you with further health check-ups and diet plans. 
Moreover, the results of this test can be reused whenever required. It is always helpful for the doctor to start immediate treatment with the most effective drugs. The results of the MEDNAwise test are a ready reckoner for your doctor in any future medical difficulties.

Health is your biggest asset. Sometimes being sure is way more important than being experimental, especially when it comes to health. MEDNAwise is your sure-shot way to know what suits you and what does not. It is only wise to do the test for mental peace and a healthy way ahead. With health always plan early, so don’t wait any longer, call Indus Health Plus to book your MEDNAwise test today!