What Is NortriTABS Used For?

NortriTABS is a prescription medication specifically designed to treat depression. It belongs to a group of medicines called tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).

Primary Uses

NortriTABS is used to treat depression. Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason – ask them if you have questions about why this medicine was prescribed for you.

How It Works

TCAs are thought to work by their action on brain chemicals called amines, which are involved in controlling mood.

How to Take NortriTABS

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

Dosage Instructions

The usual adult dose for NortriTABS is 75 to 100 mg daily, in 3 or 4 divided doses. For elderly patients, 25 to 50 mg daily in divided doses is recommended. Your doctor may increase or decrease your dose depending on your condition. Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water. Take your medicine at about the same time(s) each day.

What If You Miss a Dose?

If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.

Available Tablet Strengths

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

• drowsiness
• blurred vision
• constipation
• diarrhoea and stomach pain
• nausea or vomiting
• dizziness or light-headedness (especially on standing rapidly)
• difficulty passing urine
• dry mouth
• weight gain or loss

Important Warnings

There are several important situations where NortriTABS should not be taken, and medical conditions that need to be discussed with your doctor before starting treatment.

Who Should Not Take NortriTABS

Do not take NortriTABS if you have an allergy to nortriptyline, any of the ingredients, or other tricyclic antidepressants. Do not take if you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or have taken one within the last 14 days. Do not take if you are taking another medicine for sedation or anxiety. Do not take if you have an irregular heartbeat or have had a heart attack within the previous 8 weeks.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have or have had: heart disease, diabetes, glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye), difficulty in urinating, thyroid problems, epilepsy or seizures, mental illnesses such as mania or schizophrenia.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

It may affect your developing baby if you take it during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.

Drug Interactions

Some medicines and NortriTABS may interfere with each other. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription.

• cimetidine (medicine used to treat ulcers and gastric reflux)
• fluoxetine (medicine used to treat depression)
• quinidine (medicine used to treat heart disease)
• chlorpropamide (medicine used to treat diabetes)
• carbamazepine (medicine used to treat epilepsy)
• medicines used to treat high blood pressure
• medicines used to treat thyroid problems

Alcohol & Driving

NortriTABS can affect your ability to drive and may interact with alcohol. Be careful with both activities while taking this medication.

Alcohol

Be careful when drinking alcohol while you are taking this medicine. Combining NortriTABS and alcohol can make you more sleepy, dizzy or light-headed. Your doctor may suggest that you avoid alcohol while you are being treated with NortriTABS.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how NortriTABS affects you. NortriTABS may cause drowsiness in some people. If you feel drowsy, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.

Sun Exposure

Be careful to avoid exposure to sunlight while you are taking NortriTABS, as symptoms of sunburn may occur more quickly than normal.

Storage

Keep your tablet in the blister pack until it is time to take them. If you take the tablets out of the blister pack they may not keep well. Keep your tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Do not store NortriTABS in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it on a window sill or in the car. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines. Keep it where children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Overdose Information

If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much NortriTABS, immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention. Symptoms of an overdose may include confusion, blurred vision, dizziness, body temperature changes (low and high), difficulty in breathing and increased heartbeat.

Frequently Asked Questions