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Protriptyline
Brand Names: Vivactil, Triptil
Overview
Vivactil is the brand name for Protriptyline, a tricyclic
antidepressant (TCA.) Vivactil works by increasing levels
of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and serotonin to normal
levels in the brain.
Vivactil’s
effects can usually be felt within one to two weeks. It may
take several months for full benefits.
Why
is this drug prescribed?
Vivactil is used primarily to treat depression, including
apathetic, withdrawn patients. Vivactil is also used to treat
bipolar disorder (manic depression.)
Warnings
Adolescents and children may have a stronger reaction to Vivactil
than adults and may require a lower dosage than the standard
adult dosage.
Vivactil
can cause photosensitivity and can reduce sweating which impairs
the body's ability to adapt to heat. Patients should avoid
saunas and other very hot environments.
Vivactil
may cause blurred vision or motor impairment. A patient taking
Vivactil should not drive or operate heavy machinery until
he knows that it does not impair his ability to safely engage
in these activities.
Suddenly
discontinuing Vivactil may cause withdrawal symptoms. Dosage
should be tapered gradually when this drug is discontinued.
For
Pregnant or Nursing Mothers: Animal studies indicate that
Vivactil is not harmful to the fetus, but information on human
pregnancy is limited and Vivactil is not recommended to pregnant
women.
Contraindications
Vivactil should Not be used for people with the following
medical conditions:
- an
allergy or hypersensitivity to this drug
- recent
myocardial infarction
- acute
congestive heart failure
- both
glaucoma and urinary retention
Precautions
Vivactil may be used with caution in people with the following
conditions:
- a history
or seizures
- urinary
retention
- narrow
angle glaucoma
- heart
disease
- hyperthyroid
or receiving thyroid medication
- schizophrenia
– Vivactil may aggravate the condition, a concurrent
tranquilizer may be needed
- chronic
brain syndrome – a lower dosage may be needed
- bipolar
disorder – may cause manic phase to appear
- elderly
– a lower dosage may be needed
- diabetic
– Vivactil may affect blood sugar levels
Adverse
Reactions
Vivactil may cause the following reactions:
- rash
- hives
- swelling
of face or tongue
- weight
gain
- anxiety
/ nervousness
- blurred
vision
- diarrhea
- headache
- insomnia
- nausea
- sexual
difficulties
- tremors
- weakness
- confusion
- aggravation
of paranoid psychoses and schizophrenia
- seizures
- bone
marrow depression
- irregular
heart rhythm
- delusions
- hallucinations
Interactions
with Drugs and Other Substances
Drugs or substances that may interact with Vivactil are:
- MAO
Inhibitors (within 14 days) – serious and even fatal
interactions can occur when taken with Vivactil
dicumarol, atropinelike drugs, adrenalin (epinephrine),
norepinephrine, pseudoephedrine, and Dilantin (phenytoin)
– Vivactil may increase the effects of these drugs
- Catapres
(clonidine) and Ismelin (guanethidine) – Vivactil may
decrease the effects of these drugs
- Tegretol
(carbamazepine) - increases the risk of drug toxicity and
decreases the effects of Vivactil when taken together
- Antabuse
(disulfiram) - can cause acute dementia including symptoms
such as confusion, disorientation, and hallucinations
- Thyroid
medications – can impair heart rhythm and function
when taken with Vivactil
- Ultram
(tramadol) – can increase the risk of seizures
- Effexor
(Venlafaxine) – can lead to drug toxicity when taken
with Vivactil
- Coumadin
(warfarin) – can increase the anticoagulation effects
of the drug when taken with Vivactil
- Tagamet
(cimetidine), Premarin (conjugated estrogens), Prozac (fluoxetine),
lithium, Ritalin (methylphenidate), oral contraceptives,
Quinaglute (quinidine), Zantac (ranitidine), and Zoloft
(sertraline) – these drugs can increase the effects
of Vivactil
- alcohol
– Vivactil may enhance the sedative effects of alcohol
Sources
http://www.health-center.com/db/PageReq?SessionID=12387&
TopicID=376&PageID=1547&Action=view
http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/
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