Aventyl (Nortriptyline)

Brand names: Sensoval, Aventyl, Pamelor, Norpress, Allegron and Nortrilen, Nortriptyline

What is Aventyl?
Aventyl is a popular medicine that is known as tricyclic antidepressant. It reduces clues of depression or chronic pain. Advise with your health care provider or pharmacist for more information about the salutary influence of this product.

What important information should I know about Aventyl?
Continue to take this medication until the end of the cure corse, even if you start to feel better. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is abruptly stopped. Aventyl augments sensitivity to sunlight, and severe burning may result. Wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen when exposure to the sun is unavoidable. Avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit while taking Aventyl unless your physician recommends you otherwise. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can cause dangerous side effects when taken together with Aventyl. Aventyl may cause dizziness or coordination problems. Be very careful about climbing, driving, doing perilous tasks or operating machinery until you know how you react to this medicament. Always apprise a physician before giving Aventyl to a child.

What should I tell my doctor before I take this drug?
Before using Aventyl inform your medical practitioner about:

• liver or kidney disease
• heart disorders, heart attack, stroke, or seizures
• diabetes
• any allergies
• glaucoma
• problems with urination
• schizophrenia or other mental illness
• pregnancy, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant
• bipolar disorder (manic-depression)

How to take Aventyl?
This medicine is presented in the capsule, or liquid form to take orally. The usual starting oral dose for adults is 25 milligrams (mg). It is usually taken 3 to 4 times a day. The average doses of Aventyl for children are 30 to 50 milligrams (mg) once a day or in divided doses. Aventyl is usually accompanied by a full glass of liquid. It is better to drink several glasses of water each day while you are taking Aventyl to protect your kidneys. You may take it either with or without food. In order to minimize stomach irritation and help your body absorb the drug is desirable to combine with meals. The capsules should be swallowed whole. Do not break, chew or crush them. Shake the suspension well before measuring a dose to mix the drug evenly. Use a specially marked measuring spoon or medicine cup to be sure of the correct dose. The dosage of Aventyl vary among individuals and the diseases being treated. It is obviously to consult your health care provider before to take this drug. Follow your medic instructions thoroughly.

What should you do if you miss a dose of Aventyl?
If you miss a dosage of Aventyl, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and continue with your normal schedule. Never take a double dose.

What should you do if you overdose of Aventyl?
Any medicament taken large doses can have serious consequences. If you are overdosed inform your medical practitioner instantly. Overdose of Aventyl may give rise to seizures, slow/shallow breathing, fainting, fast/irregular heartbeat, hallucination or extreme drowsiness.

What drug(s) may interact with Aventyl?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following:

• St. John's Wort
• phenothiazines like perphenazine, thioridazine and chlorpromazine
• certain medicines used to regulate abnormal heartbeat or to treat other heart conditions
• probucol
• halofantrine
• MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
• procarbazine
• sparfloxacin
• arsenic trioxide
• cisapride
• other medicines for mental depression
• pimozide
• ziprasidone.

• seizure or epilepsy medicine such as carbamazepine or phenytoin
• reserpine
• thyroid medicine
• tolterodine and others
• medicines for diabetes
• barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures, such as phenobarbital
• cimetidine

What side- effects may occur?

• Fever with increased sweating
• Problems with breathing, chest pain
• Fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
• Liver problems, yellowing eyes, skin
• Numbness, tingling in your hands or feet (tremor), muscle stiffness, or spasms
• Headache, dizziness, ringing in your ears or hearing loss
• Suicidal thoughts or other mood changes
• Weight gain or loss
• Mental, mood changes (e.g., loss of contact with reality, restlessness, confusion, hallucinations, blurred vision)
• Breast enlargement in both males and females
• Abnormal production of milk in females
• Nausea, vomiting
• Difficulty urinating (urinary retention), loss of bladder control, diarrhea
• Allergic reaction ( difficulty breathing; hives; skin rash or swelling; swelling of your lips, throat, tongue or face; itching )

How should Aventyl be stored?
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F), tightly closed, away from sunlight, direct heat, and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom or near a sink. Keep Aventyl out of the reach of children and away from pets.