Apo-Nortriptyline; Ava-Nortriptyline; Aventyl; Dom-Nortriptyline; Norventyl; Nu-Nortriptyline; PMS-Nortriptyline; Teva-Nortriptyline
- Children and teens who take this drug may be at a greater risk of having thoughts or actions of suicide. Adults may also be at risk. The risk may be greater in people who have had these thoughts or actions in the past. Watch people who take this drug closely. Call the doctor right away if signs like low mood (depression), nervousness, restlessness, grouchiness, panic attacks, or changes in mood or actions are new or worse. Call the doctor right away if any thoughts or actions of suicide occur.
- This drug is not approved for use in children. Talk with the doctor.
- It is used to treat low mood (depression).
- It may be given to your child for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.
- If your child has an allergy to this drug or any part of this drug.
- If your child is allergic to any drugs like this one or any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
- If your child has had a recent heart attack.
- If your child is taking any of these drugs: Linezolid or methylene blue.
- If your child has taken certain drugs used for low mood (depression) like isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine or drugs used for certain other health problems in the last 14 days. Taking this drug within 14 days of those drugs can cause very bad high blood pressure. Talk with your child’s doctor.
- Tell dentists, surgeons, and other doctors that your child is using this drug.
- If your child has been taking this drug for many weeks, talk with your child’s doctor before stopping. You may want to slowly stop this drug.
- Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for alertness until you see how this drug affects your child. These are things like riding a bike, playing sports, or using items such as scissors, lawnmowers, electric scooters, toy cars, or motorized vehicles.
- To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, have your child get up slowly over a few minutes when sitting or lying down. Have your child be extra careful climbing stairs.
- If your child has high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch his/her blood sugar closely.
- Talk with the doctor before giving your child other drugs and natural products that may slow your child’s actions.
- Alcohol may interact with this drug. Be sure your child does not drink alcohol.
- If your child has seizures or a history of seizures, talk with the doctor.
- Your child may get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen and dress your child in clothing and eyewear that protects him/her from the sun.
- Have your child be careful in hot weather or while your child is being active. Have your child drink lots of fluids to stop fluid loss.
- Some people may have a higher chance of eye problems with this drug. The doctor may want your child to have an eye exam to see if your child has a higher chance of these eye problems. Call the doctor right away if your child has eye pain, change in eyesight, or swelling or redness in or around the eye.
If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:
- Talk with the doctor if your child is pregnant, becomes pregnant, or is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using this drug.
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- If your child is planning to harm him/herself. If the want to harm him/herself gets worse.
- Very bad dizziness or passing out.
- Change in thinking clearly and with logic.
- Not able to pass urine.
- Feeling very tired or weak.
- Chest pain.
- Any bruising or bleeding.
- Yellow skin or eyes.
- A very bad and sometimes deadly health problem called serotonin syndrome may happen. The risk may be greater if your child takes this drug with certain other drugs. Call your child’s doctor right away if your child has dizziness, a very bad headache, agitation, hallucinations, fever, a fast heartbeat, a heartbeat that does not feel normal, flushing, seizures, shakiness, is sweating a lot, a change in balance, a change in thinking clearly and with logic, a very bad upset stomach and throwing up, or very bad loose stools.
If your child is or may be sexually active:
- Change in sex ability.
- Hard stools (constipation).
- Dry mouth.
- Feeling sleepy.
- Upset stomach or throwing up.
- Not hungry.
- Loose stools (diarrhea).
- Give at bedtime if it causes sleepiness.
- Give this drug with or without food. Give with food if it causes an upset stomach.
- Give as you have been told, even if your child feels well.
- Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with this drug. If there is none, get an oral syringe, a dropper, a spoon, or a cup (only for older children) from your pharmacist.
- Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your child’s next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child’s normal time.
- Do not give 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
- If your child takes 1 daily dose at bedtime, do not give the missed dose the next morning.
- Store at room temperature.
- Protect from light.
- Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to throw out unused drugs.
- If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
- Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
- Keep a list of all your child’s drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child’s doctor.
- Talk with your child’s doctor before giving your child any new drug, including prescription or OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
If you have any questions or concerns, talk with a member of your healthcare team. You can reach them Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at ____________________. After 5:00 pm, during the weekend, and on holidays, please call____________________. If there’s no number listed, or you’re not sure, call 212-639-2000.