Definition

Noun: 1. A tricyclic antidepressant medication: Pamelor is the trade name for the generic drug nortriptyline. It is a type of tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) used primarily to treat symptoms of depression. 2. A specific pharmaceutical treatment: It is used in combination with psychotherapy to treat a specific form of chronic, low-grade depression known as dysthymic depression (or dysthymia).

Usage Notes

• Pamelor is a proper noun and a registered trademark. It is always capitalized.
• It refers specifically to the brand-name version of the drug nortriptyline.
• The definition highlights a critical drug interaction warning: Pamelor "may interact dangerously if taken with other drugs." This means combining it with certain other medications can cause serious health risks.

Examples

• The doctor prescribed Pamelor to manage her persistent depressive symptoms.
• A common side effect of Pamelor is dry mouth.
• Patients taking Pamelor must inform their doctor of all other medications to avoid dangerous interactions.

Advanced Usage

• Clinical Context: In medical literature, Pamelor is discussed as a second-line treatment option when newer antidepressants (like SSRIs) are not effective or suitable.
• Pharmacological Class: It is frequently described as a "tricyclic antidepressant" or "TCA," distinguishing it from other classes of antidepressants.

Variants and Related Words

• Nortriptyline (n.): The generic, non-brand name for the same chemical compound as Pamelor.
• Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA) (n.): The class of drugs to which Pamelor belongs.
• Antidepressant (n.): The broader category of drugs used to treat depression.

Synonyms

• Nortriptyline (This is the direct synonym, as it is the generic name for the same drug).

Important Notes (Not Idioms or Phrasal Verbs)

Given that "Pamelor" is a proper noun for a medication, it does not have idioms or phrasal verbs associated with it. The most crucial related information is the warning about drug interactions, which is an essential part of its definition and safe usage.

Noun

1. a tricyclic antidepressant drug (trade name Pamelor) used along with psychotherapy to treat dysthymic depression; may interact dangerously if taken with other drugs