AVENTYL - Nortriptyline

Aventyl Used For

Aventyl is prescribed for relief from symptoms of depression like feelings of sadness, worthlessness, or guilt; loss of interest in daily activities; changes in appetite; tiredness; sleeping too much; insomnia; and thoughts of death or suicide. It acts by affecting chemicals in the brain.

Directions for Aventyl

Recommended dose of Aventyl for depression in adults is 25 milligrams (mg) three to four times a day, which may be increased gradually as per doctor's advice. However, the dose should not exceed than 150 mg a day. For teenagers the recommended dose is 25 to 50 mg a day, to be gradually increased as needed. Children 6 to 12 years of age should be started on 10 to 20 mg a day while older adults may be put on a dose of 30 to 50 mg a day and the dose gradually increased as needed.

How Aventyl works

Aventyl may cause drowsiness or dizziness and it is advisable to use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities while under treatment. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities. Dizziness may also occur if you rise a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall. Alcohol use should not be combined with Aventyl as far as possible as it may increase drowsiness and dizziness. Allegra treatment should not be stopped suddenly since this could cause severe nausea, headache, and malaise.

Side effects of Aventyl

Do not take Allegra within 14 days of having taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine. Patients with liver disease, kidney disease, asthma, thyroid disease, diabetes, stomach or intestinal problems, high blood pressure or heart disease, or those who had a heart attack in the last 6 weeks, have an enlarged prostate or difficulty in urinating, or glaucoma should be put on a special dose of Aventyl or constantly monitored during treatment. It is also necessary to constantly monitor patients on Aventyl for signs of worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts at the start of therapy or when doses are changed. The risk of such thoughts or behavior is higher is patients are 18 years or younger in age. For patients below 18 years, the risk may extend throughout the treatment period. The effects of Aventyl on an unborn or nursing baby are not known and so it is advisable for expecting or lactating mothers before starting on this medication.

Other Aventyl Information

If a dose of Aventyl is missed, it should be taken as soon as remembered. But if the time for the next dose is almost there, the missed dose should be skipped. Under no condition should a double dose of the medication be taken. If it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.