Clinical data | |
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Trade names | Aventyl, others |
Other names | Desitriptyline; ELF-101; E.L.F. 101; N-7048 |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a682620 |
License data | |
Pregnancy category |
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Routes of administration | By mouth |
Drug class | Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) |
ATC code | |
Legal status | |
Legal status | |
Pharmacokinetic data | |
Bioavailability | 32–79%[4] |
Protein binding | 92%[4] |
Metabolism | Liver |
Metabolites | 10-E-Hydroxynortriptyline |
Elimination half-life | 18–44 hours (mean 30 hours)[4] |
Excretion | Urine: 40%[4] Feces: minor[4] |
Identifiers | |
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CAS Number | |
PubChem CID | |
IUPHAR/BPS | |
DrugBank | |
ChemSpider | |
UNII | |
KEGG | |
ChEBI | |
ChEMBL | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.000.717 |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C19H21N |
Molar mass | 263.384 g·mol−1 |
3D model (JSmol) | |
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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.[5][6] As with many antidepressants, 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.[6] Nortriptyline is a less preferred treatment for ADHD and stopping smoking.[6] It is taken by mouth.[6]
Common side effects include dry mouth, constipation, blurry vision, sleepiness, low blood pressure with standing, and weakness.[6] 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.[6] Nortriptyline may cause problems if taken during pregnancy.[6] Use during breastfeeding appears to be relatively safe.[5] It is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) and is believed to work by altering levels of serotonin and norepinephrine.[6][a]
Nortriptyline was approved for medical use in the United States in 1964.[6] It is available as a generic medication.[5] In 2021, it was the 139th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 4 million prescriptions.[7][8]
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