Notriptyline

[Emilyhen]

Hi everyone just wondering how long side effects last when starting this medication?

I started nortriptyline 4 days ago and I’m feeling really light headed dizzy not really “there” as such. It’s such a horrible feeling! Please tell me if this is a normal “adjusting” period and how long I’m in for or if I’m experiencing bad side effects? Doctor thinks I should give myself a good 6 weeks but it’s hard mentally and some what making my anxiety worse telling my body to take a medication that is at the moment making me feel worse.

Thanks

[FRreedman]

I take 60mg Nortriptyline, per day, and have found the best time to take it is about half an hour before you go to bed as this way most, if not all, of the side effects have worn off by the time you wake up in the morning. I think it took about a week or so to work on the pain as it has to get into the system.

[Emilyhen in reply to FRreedman]

Thankyou so much for the reply appreciate it ❤️

When you first started the medication did you get the same grogginess/spaced out dizzy feeling as I described? How long did that take to wear off? Am I having bad side effects with having those symptoms or is this a normal process of my body getting use to the drug thanks 😊

[FRreedman in reply to Emilyhen]

I did, but I immediately put it down to the Nortriptyline and switched it to nighttime. I think if you were to change the timing of your drugs and finding out what happens after three or four days each time you change you should be able to sort it in two weeks or thereabouts. I stopped any side effects within a few days of switching mine to nights. Good luck, get well and stay safe.

[Judique8]

Hi Emily, your med is called a tricyclic. They are also used as an antidepressant, but also work as a very effective drug for IBS since they scramble the nerve impulse so the brain doesn’t perceive the IBS symptoms as much as before. Tricycles almost always cause these side effects, particularly in the beginning, but this side effect is not at all long acting. Therefore, it is very important to triturate the dosage up in smaller regiments. Simply cut the 60mg tablet in two which will take longer than your doctor’s recommended dosage. It normally takes the nerve about 4 to 6 weeks to precise the difference, since it is helping the nerve to store more of a natural neurotransmitter called Serotonin. Your med is very effective and often considered the drug of choice for your condition. Amitriptyline's are difficult at first because of the “spaced out effect”. They take a longer time to achieve a therapeutic index, which can be difficult for the first while. Your doctor will determine the appropriate dosage over the first couple of months. Summary- need to go slowly at first which ultimately gives very good results. Hang in there through the initial break in period.