Nortriptyline (Aventyl) is a tricyclic antidepressant.

Take Nortriptyline (Aventyl) capsules by mouth, swallow the capsules whole with a drink of water.

The most commonly encountered side effects associated with Nortriptyline (Aventyl) include:

blurred vision
constipation
dry mouth
fast heart rate
low blood pressure on standing
urinary retention
weight gain/loss

If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

difficulty breathing or swallowing
fever
irregular heartbeat
jaw, neck, and back muscle spasms
persistent fine tremor or inability to sit still
severe skin rash
shuffling walk
slow or difficult speech
yellowing of the skin or eyes

Nortriptyline (Aventyl) also can cause elevated pressure in the eyes of some patients with glaucoma.

Overdose with nortriptyline can cause life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms or seizures.

Do not take Nortriptyline (Aventyl)with any of the following medications:

astemizole
cisapride
probucol
terfenadine
thioridazine
MAO inhibitors
other medicines for mental depression

Nortriptyline exaggerates the effects of other medications and drugs that slow the brain's processes, such as alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines (e.g. lorazepam, Ativan), and narcotics.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sulfites; some preparations of nortriptyline contain sodium bisulfite.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Studies have shown that children and teenagers who take antidepressants ('mood elevators') such as Nortriptyline (Aventyl)may be more likely to think about harming or killing themselves or to plan or try to do so than children who do not take antidepressants.

Children younger than 18 years of age should not normally take Nortriptyline (Aventyl).

If your child's doctor has prescribed Nortriptyline (Aventyl) for your child, you should watch his or her behavior very carefully, especially at the beginning of treatment and any time his or her dose is increased or decreased. Your child may develop serious symptoms very suddenly, so it is important to pay attention to his or her behavior every day.

Be sure that your child keeps all appointments for office visits or telephone conversations with his or her doctor. Talk to your child's doctor about the risks of giving Nortriptyline (Aventyl) to your child.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to Nortriptyline (Aventyl).

If you take several doses per day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule.

If you take Nortriptyline (Aventyl) once a day at bedtime and do not remember to take it until the next morning, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Nortriptyline (Aventyl) is used to elevate the mood of patients with depression.

Nortriptyline (Aventyl) is also a sedative and is useful in depressed patients with insomnia, restlessness, and nervousness.

Nortriptyline (Aventyl) has also been found to be helpful for treating chronic pain and the pain of neuralgia.

Nortriptyline (Aventyl) medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Nortriptyline should be stored below 86°F / 30°C in a tight, light resistant container.

Be sure that your family or caregiver knows which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor when you are unable to seek treatment on your own.

Even after you stop taking Nortriptyline (Aventyl) it can still affect your body for several days.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how nortriptyline affects you.

Nortriptyline (Aventyl) may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses you may feel some discomfort.

Nortriptyline (Aventyl) may make your skin more sensitive to the sun.

Nortriptyline (Aventyl) can affect blood glucose (sugar) levels. If you are a diabetic, check your blood sugar more often than usual, especially during the first few weeks of nortriptyline treatment.

If you are going to have surgery or will need an x-ray procedure that uses contrast agents, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking Nortriptyline (Aventyl).