Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) that has been used for several decades to treat various conditions. It is available in capsule and oral solution forms. While primarily known for its role in managing major depressive disorder, nortriptyline also finds application in treating certain types of neuropathic pain, such as postherpetic neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy, as well as chronic pain syndromes like tension headaches and migraines. It is also sometimes used off-label for smoking cessation and panic disorder. Like other TCAs, nortriptyline's therapeutic effects and side effects are attributed to its influence on neurotransmitter systems in the brain. Its half-life of approximately 30 hours allows for once-daily dosing, often at bedtime due to its sedative properties. (MedlinePlus, DrugBank)
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- Cochrane Library
- DrugBank
- Examine.com
- FDA label (package insert)
- Mayo Clinic
- MedlinePlus
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS)
- PubChem
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