SSRIs are the standard first line of treatment for depression, as they cause fewer side effects and have fewer health risks than other antidepressants. However, sometimes doctors choose older depression medications in cases where a patient has treatment-resistant depression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Norpramin and amitriptyline are two medications a medical provider may suggest when a patient has treatment-resistant depression. In this article, Klarity takes a deeper look into these two antidepressants\u2014we\u2019ll explore how they work, their side effects, how much they cost, and other important details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have depression, medications like Norpramin or Amitriptyline could be right for you. Klarity has already helped thousands of patients find reliable depression treatment online<\/a>. We connect you with a fully-licensed mental health specialist who can provide a diagnosis and prescribe the safest antidepressant for you. Find your provider<\/a>, and in 48 hours you can receive a personalized treatment plan and prescription for your depression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
| <\/th> | Norpramin<\/th> | Amitriptyline<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Drug Class<\/strong><\/td>| Tricyclic antidepressant<\/td> | Tricyclic antidepressant<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Brand \/ Generic Status<\/strong><\/td> | Brand name for desipramine | \n \n<\/td> Generic (Brand name: Elavil)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Form(s) of the Drug<\/strong><\/td> | \u2022 Immediate-release tablets<\/td> | \u2022 Tablets | \n\u2022 Yellow, fruit-flavored liquid suspension \n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Standard Dosage<\/strong><\/td> | Tablets: | \n\u2022 10mg \n\u2022 25mg \n\u2022 50mg \n\u2022 75mg \n\u2022 100mg \n\u2022 150mg<\/td> Tablets: | \n\u2022 10mg \n\u2022 25mg \n\u2022 50mg \n\u2022 75mg \n\u2022 100mg \n\u2022 150mg \n \nLiquid suspension: \n\u2022 10mg per dose \n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Conditions Treated<\/strong><\/td> | FDA-approved uses: | \n\u2022 Major depressive disorder \n \nOff-label uses: \n\u2022 Anxiety \n\u2022 Various mood disorders \n\u2022 Nerve pain \n\u2022 Sleep disorders \n\u2022 Overactive bladder \n\u2022 Bulimia nervosa \n\u2022 ADHD \n\u2022 Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) \n<\/td> FDA-approved uses: | \n\u2022 Major depressive disorder \n\u2022 Anxiety disorder \n\u2022 OCD \n \nOff-label uses: \n\u2022 Chronic fibromyalgia pain \n\u2022 Nerve pain \n\u2022 Sleep disorders \n\u2022 Bladder pain \n\u2022 Irritable bowel syndrome \n \n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Cost<\/strong><\/td> | Generic form (desipramine): | \n\u2022 $7.33 for a 30-day supply \n \nBrand name: \n\u2022 $52 to $61 for a 30-day supply \n<\/td> Generic form (amitriptyline): | \n\u2022 $140 to $300 for a 30-day supply \n\u2022 $4 for a 30-day supply with insurance or coupon card \n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Side-Effects<\/strong><\/td> | Common side effects: | \n\u2022 Nausea and vomiting \n\u2022 Loss of appetite \n\u2022 Headache \n\u2022 Dry mouth \n\u2022 Confusion, delusions, and hallucinations \n\u2022 Restlessness, anxiety, and tremors \n\u2022 Trouble sleeping (insomnia, nightmares) \n\u2022 Sun sensitivity \n\u2022 Weight changes \n\u2022 Breast growth in men \n \nSerious side effects: \n\u2022 Chest pain \n\u2022 Irregular heartbeat \n\u2022 Seizures \n\u2022 Fainting \n\u2022 Weakness on one side of the body \n\u2022 Eye pain, swelling, or redness \n\u2022 Changes in vision \n<\/td> Common side effects: | \n\u2022 Drowsiness, blurred vision \n\u2022 Dry mouth, constipation \n\u2022 Weight gain \n\u2022 Difficulty urinating \n\u2022 Persistent heartburn \n\u2022 Easy bruising or bleeding \n\u2022 Black stools \n\u2022 Vomit that looks like coffee grounds \n\u2022 Muscle spasms, shaking \n\u2022 Severe abdominal pain \n\u2022 Decreased libido \n\u2022 Enlarged or painful breasts \n\u2022 Severe dizziness, fainting, seizures, confusion \n\u2022 Eye pain, redness or swelling, vision changes \n\u2022 Sweating \n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Warnings For Use<\/strong><\/td> | Drug interactions: | \n\u2022 Heart medications \n\u2022 Blood pressure medications \n\u2022 Thyroid supplements \n\u2022 Seizure medications \n\u2022 SSRIs \n\u2022 Blood thinners \n\u2022 MAOIs \n<\/td> Drug interactions: | \n\u2022 Quinidine \n\u2022 Cimetidine \n\u2022 Many other antidepressants: SSRIs \n\u2022 Type 1C antiarrhythmics \n\u2022 MAO inhibitors \n\u2022 Thyroid medication \n\u2022 Alcohol, barbiturates and other CNS depressants \n\u2022 Anticholinergic drugs \n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n Amitriptyline and Norpramin Are the Same Class of Drugs<\/h2>\n\n\n\nAmitriptyline and Norpramin are tricyclics. Coming into the market in 1959, tricyclics are the oldest prescription drugs used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD). They are comparably as effective as other antidepressants for treating depression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Though they come with many more side effects due to their mechanism of action, this characteristic makes tricyclics more effective at treating treatment-resistant depression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What Are Tricyclics? How Do They Work?<\/h3>\n\n\n\nEssentially, tricyclics and other antidepressants help elevate the amount serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. These neurotransmitters act as chemical messengers to allow neurons to communicate. Since people with depression are typically low in serotonin and neuropinephrine, tricyclics can effectively alleviate some symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other disorders in patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Newer antidepressant drugs are more selective, meaning they only affect specific receptors in the body. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are exactly that\u2014selective in the receptors they block. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tricyclics are not selective. Because they block many different types of receptors across the body, tricyclics come with more side effects and have a lower toxicity threshold, meaning it is easier to overdose on them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Though all tricyclics produce similar results in patients, slight differences in the chemical structures between different kinds means that each has a slightly different side effect profile. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Amitriptyline and Norpramin for Depression<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTricyclic antidepressants are most often prescribed to treat major depressive disorders. However, medical providers may prescribe them to treat psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and neuropathic conditions like fibromyalgia or diabetic neuropathy pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What Else Does Amitriptyline Treat?<\/h3>\n\n\n\nIn addition to treating depression, low doses of amitriptyline can help improve sleep and treat anxiety symptoms. Amitriptyline might be suitable for people with treatment-resistant depression and anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Amitriptyline is also prescribed for pain management. At low doses, it can help reduce pain associated with fibromyalgia, arthritis, and even migraines. Additionally, amitriptyline is used to treat peripheral neuropathy in diabetic patients or for individuals experiencing nerve pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What Else Does Norpramin Treat?<\/h3>\n\n\n\nNorpramin and amitriptyline treat similar illnesses because they work in similar ways. Like amitriptyline, Norpramin treats depression and anxiety, along with other mood disorders. It helps improve sleep quality and helps people feel more energized. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, like amitriptyline, it helps patients manage chronic pain resulting from arthritis, fibromyalgia, or nerve pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Doses, Dosage Form, and Side Effects of Norpramin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n |