nortriptyline
Noun: A tricyclic antidepressant medication. It is primarily used, in combination with psychotherapy, to treat a chronic form of depression known as dysthymic depression. It is important to note that this drug can have dangerous interactions if taken concurrently with other medications.
This word is used specifically in medical and pharmacological contexts. It refers to the chemical substance itself, its prescription, and its therapeutic application. - It is prescribed by a doctor. - It is dispensed by a pharmacist. - A patient takes or is on nortriptyline.
- The psychiatrist prescribed nortriptyline for her persistent low-grade depression.
- A common side effect of nortriptyline is dry mouth.
- Before starting nortriptyline, you must inform your doctor of all other drugs you are taking to avoid harmful interactions.
- The efficacy of nortriptyline in treating neuropathic pain is also being studied.
- Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Because the effective and safe dosage varies greatly between individuals, doctors may check the level of nortriptyline in a patient's blood.
- Off-label Use: While its primary approved use is for depression, nortriptyline is sometimes used "off-label" to manage conditions like chronic pain, migraine prevention, or panic disorder.
- Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA): The class of drugs to which nortriptyline belongs. Other examples include amitriptyline and imipramine.
- Pamelor®: A common brand name (trade name) for nortriptyline.
- Metabolite: Nortriptyline is also the primary active metabolite of another tricyclic antidepressant, amitriptyline.
- Antidepressant: A general term for medications used to treat depression.
- Tricyclic: Informal shorthand for tricyclic antidepressant.
The word has one core meaning: a specific tricyclic antidepressant drug. Its usage is strictly confined to medical science and clinical practice. It does not have idiomatic or figurative meanings.
- a tricyclic antidepressant drug (trade name Pamelor) used along with psychotherapy to treat dysthymic depression; may interact dangerously if taken with other drugs