Noritren
Noritren is an antidepressant that helps treat depression by balancing certain chemicals in the brain.
How to Use
Dosage
Adults typically start with 25 mg two or three times a day, gradually increasing to 50 mg three times a day. Elderly patients (over 65) start with 10 mg two or three times a day, gradually increasing to 100-150 mg daily.
Method
Swallow tablets whole with water, do not chew. At the start of treatment, take two or three separate doses daily; for maintenance, a single morning dose can be taken. Can be taken with or without food.
The maximum daily dose is 150 mg.
Possible Side Effects
- •Sweating
- •Headache
- •Dizziness, especially when standing up
- •Tremors in hands
- •Blurred vision
- •Dry mouth
- •Constipation
- •Nausea
- •Palpitations, fast heartbeat
- •Numbness or tingling in arms and legs
- •Coordination problems
- •Dilated pupils
- •Confusion (especially in elderly patients)
- •Difficulty concentrating
- •Decreased sexual desire
- •Changes in taste
- •Weight gain
- •Abnormalities in heart test (ECG)
- •Erectile dysfunction (in men)
- •Fatigue
- •Rash, itching, swelling of face or tongue
- •Ringing in ears (tinnitus)
- •Seizures
- •Mood changes, including increased anxiety or agitation
- •Insomnia, nightmares
- •Diarrhea, vomiting
- •Increased blood pressure
- •Difficulty urinating (especially in elderly men)
- •Hair loss
- •Increased skin sensitivity to sunlight
- •Loss of appetite
- •Confusion (delirium, especially in elderly), hallucinations
- •Swollen salivary glands
- •Weight loss
- •Breast enlargement
- •Abnormal or irregular heart rhythm
- •High eye pressure (symptoms of glaucoma)
- •Severe constipation, swollen stomach, fever, vomiting (may indicate bowel paralysis)
- •Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice, liver problem)
- •Bruising, bleeding, paleness, persistent sore throat, fever (may indicate blood problems like low red/white blood cells or platelets)
- •Suicidal thoughts and behavior
- •Serotonin syndrome (involuntary muscle twitches, agitation, hallucinations, coma, sweating, tremors, overactive reflexes, high body temperature)
- •Brugada syndrome (sudden fast heart rate, dizziness, fainting, seizures)
- •Low blood sodium levels
Important Warnings
- Do not take Noritren if you are allergic to nortriptyline, have recently had a heart attack, or have certain heart rhythm problems or coronary artery disease.
- Do not take Noritren if you are currently taking MAO inhibitors. You must wait at least two weeks after stopping most MAO inhibitors (or one day for moclobemide) before starting Noritren.
- If you have thoughts of harming yourself or suicide, contact your doctor or go to a hospital immediately.
- Noritren should not be used for children or adolescents under 18 years of age.
- Avoid alcohol while taking Noritren, as it can increase drowsiness and calming effects.
Show 3 more warnings
- Do not drive or use machines if you feel dizzy, sleepy, or have blurred vision.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking, as some can interact with Noritren and lead to serious conditions like serotonin syndrome.
- Talk to your doctor if you have epilepsy, difficulty urinating, enlarged prostate, overactive thyroid, liver or heart problems, glaucoma, diabetes, any other mental illness, or Brugada syndrome.
Use in Elderly Patients
Avoid use in older adults. Anticholinergic. Sedative. Serotonergic. Risk of QT prolongation. Significant adverse effects include confusion, cognitive impairment, arrhythmias and orthostatic hypotension. Increases risk of falls. Consider the numerous potential interactions. Reduces the effectiveness of drugs for Alzheimer’s disease. (updated 12.2.2024)