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Nortriptyline / Pamelor, Aventyl Side Effects
Bipolar Medications Library

By Kimberly Read & Marcia Purse, About.com Guide

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Catalogue of side effects for the tricyclic antidepressant Nortriptyline - sold under the brand names Pamelor, Aventyl and others - which is sometimes used in the treatment of bipolar disorder and other mood disorders and mental illnesses.

Common Side Effects:

Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Dizziness; drowsiness; dryness of mouth; headache; increased appetite (may include craving for sweets); nausea; tiredness or weakness (mild); unpleasant taste; weight gain

Less Common Side Effects:

Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Diarrhea; heartburn; increased sweating; trouble in sleeping (more common with protriptyline, especially when taken late in the day); vomiting

Always Notify Doctor:

Less Common: Blurred vision; confusion or delirium; constipation (especially in the elderly); decreased sexual ability (more common with amoxapine and clomipramine); difficulty in speaking or swallowing; eye pain; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat (pounding, racing, skipping); hallucinations; loss of balance control; mask-like face; nervousness or restlessness; problems in urinating; shakiness or trembling; shuffling walk; slowed movements; stiffness of arms and legs

Rare: Anxiety; breast enlargement in both males and females; hair loss; inappropriate secretion of milk - in females; increased sensitivity to sunlight; irritability; muscle twitching; red or brownish spots on skin; ringing, buzzing, or other unexplained sounds in the ears; seizures (more common with clomipramine); skin rash and itching; sore throat and fever; swelling of face and tongue; swelling of testicles (more common with amoxapine); trouble with teeth or gums (more common with clomipramine); weakness; yellow eyes or skin

Withdrawal Side Effects - Notify Doctor:

Headache; irritability; nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; restlessness; trouble in sleeping, with vivid dreams; unusual excitement

Overdose Effects - Notify Doctor:

Confusion; convulsions (seizures); disturbed concentration; drowsiness (severe); enlarged pupils; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever; hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there); restlessness and agitation; shortness of breath or troubled breathing; unusual tiredness or weakness (severe); vomiting

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

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