Nortriptyline

Nortriptyline
Skeletal formula of nortriptyline
Ball-and-stick model of the nortriptyline molecule
Clinical data
Trade namesAventyl, others
Other namesDesitriptyline; ELF-101; E.L.F. 101; N-7048
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
MedlinePlusa682620
License data
Pregnancy
category
Routes of
administration		By mouth
Drug classTricyclic antidepressant (TCA)
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability32–79%[6]
Protein binding92%[6]
MetabolismLiver
Metabolites10-E-Hydroxynortriptyline
Elimination half-life18–44 hours (mean 30 hours)[6]
ExcretionUrine: 40%[6]
Feces: minor[6]
Identifiers
  • 3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ylidene)-N-methyl-1-propanamine
CAS Number
PubChem CID
IUPHAR/BPS
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEBI
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.000.717 Edit this at Wikidata
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC19H21N
Molar mass263.384 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
  • c3cc2c(/C(c1c(cccc1)CC2)=C/CCNC)cc3
  • InChI=1S/C19H21N/c1-20-14-6-11-19-17-9-4-2-7-15(17)12-13-16-8-3-5-10-18(16)19/h2-5,7-11,20H,6,12-14H2,1H3 checkY
  • Key:PHVGLTMQBUFIQQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  (verify)

Nortriptyline, sold under the brand name Aventyl, among others, is a tricyclic antidepressant. This medicine is also sometimes used for neuropathic pain, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), smoking cessation and anxiety.[7][8] Its use for young people with depression and other psychiatric disorders may be limited due to increased suicidality in the 18–24 population initiating treatment.[8] Nortriptyline is not a preferred treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or smoking cessation.[8] It is taken by mouth.[8]

Common side effects include dry mouth, constipation, blurry vision, sleepiness, low blood pressure with standing, and weakness.[8] Serious side effects may include seizures, an increased risk of suicide in those less than 25 years of age, urinary retention, glaucoma, mania, and a number of heart issues.[8] Nortriptyline may cause problems if taken during pregnancy.[8] Use during breastfeeding appears to be relatively safe.[7] It is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) and is believed to work by altering levels of serotonin and norepinephrine.[8]

Nortriptyline was approved for medical use in the United States in 1964.[8] It is available as a generic medication.[7] In 2022, it was the 191st most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 2 million prescriptions.[9][10]

  1. ^ "Nortriptyline Use During Pregnancy". Drugs.com. 22 June 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  2. ^ Anvisa (31 March 2023). "RDC Nº 784 - Listas de Substâncias Entorpecentes, Psicotrópicas, Precursoras e Outras sob Controle Especial" [Collegiate Board Resolution No. 784 - Lists of Narcotic, Psychotropic, Precursor, and Other Substances under Special Control] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário Oficial da União (published 4 April 2023). Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Product monograph brand safety updates". Health Canada. February 2024. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Aventyl Product information". Health Canada. 10 January 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  5. ^ "Pamelor- nortriptyline hydrochloride capsule". DailyMed. 9 May 2024. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e Lemke TL, Williams DA (24 January 2012). Foye's Principles of Medicinal Chemistry. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 588–. ISBN 978-1-60913-345-0.
  7. ^ a b c British national formulary : BNF 76 (76 ed.). Pharmaceutical Press. 2018. p. 374. ISBN 9780857113382.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Nortriptyline Hydrochloride Monograph for Professionals". Drugs.com. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  9. ^ "The Top 300 of 2022". ClinCalc. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  10. ^ "Nortriptyline Drug Usage Statistics, United States, 2013 - 2022". ClinCalc. Retrieved 30 August 2024.