{"id":7667,"date":"2023-01-13T13:25:33","date_gmt":"2023-01-13T21:25:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cms.helloklarity.com\/?p=7667"},"modified":"2024-02-12T09:40:11","modified_gmt":"2024-02-12T17:40:11","slug":"pamelor-vs-amoxapine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms.helloklarity.com\/post\/pamelor-vs-amoxapine\/","title":{"rendered":"Nortriptyline vs. Amoxapine: Which Should I Take?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Living with depression can be exhausting, especially if you have yet to find relief from your symptoms. It can take time to find the right treatment for you, and with all of the available medication options available, it can be difficult to understand which one will work best for your depression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article looks deeper into two commonly prescribed antidepressant medications, Nortriptyline and Amoxapine. We will discuss what they are used for, their potential side effects, and warnings associated with each so that you can be better informed when discussing treatment options with your healthcare provider. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are experiencing depression symptoms, medications like Nortriptyline or Amoxapine may be able to help. To determine if these drugs or another form of antidepressant is right for you, find a provider<\/a> on Klarity today for online depression treatment<\/a> in as little as 48 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
<\/th>Amoxapine<\/th>Nortriptyline<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Drug Class<\/strong><\/td>Tricyclic antidepressant
\n
\n<\/td>		Tricyclic antidepressant
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand \/ Generic Status<\/strong><\/td>Generic (Brand name: Asendin)
\n
\n<\/td>		Generic (Brand name: Pamelor)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Form(s) of the Drug<\/strong><\/td>Immediate-release color-coded tablets<\/td>\u2022 Immediate-release capsules
\n\u2022 Clear, cherry-flavored liquid suspension<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Standard Dosage<\/strong><\/td>Immediate-release color-coded tablets:
\n\u2022 25mg: white
\n\u2022 50mg: orange
\n\u2022 100mg: blue
\n\u2022 150mg: light orange
\n<\/td>		Immediate-release capsules:
\n\u2022 10mg
\n\u2022 25mg
\n\u2022 50mg
\n\u2022 75mg
\n
\nLiquid suspension:
\n\u2022 10mg per dose<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Conditions Treated<\/strong><\/td>FDA-approved:
\n\u2022 Depression with psychotic features
\n\u2022 Nerve pain
\n
\nOff-label:
\n\u2022 Difficulty sleeping
\n<\/td>		FDA-approved uses:
\n\u2022 Major depressive disorder
\n
\nOff-label uses:
\n\u2022 Diabetic neuropathy
\n\u2022 Migraines
\n\u2022 Postherpetic neuralgia or post-shingles skin pain
\n\u2022 Neurogenic cough
\n\u2022 Chronic pain
\n\u2022 Persistent myofascial pain
\n\u2022Trigeminal neuralgia or painful shock sensations on the face<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cost<\/strong><\/td>Generic (amoxapine):
\n\u2022 $20 to $36 for a 30-day supply
\n
\nBrand name:
\n\u2022 Brand name formula not available for Rx
\n
\n<\/td>		Brand name (Pamelor):
\n\u2022 $1250 for a 30-day supply (no insurance)
\n\u2022 $10 for a 30-day supply (with insurance)
\n
\nGeneric form (nortriptyline):
\n\u2022 $13 for a 30-day supply<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Side-Effects<\/strong><\/td>Common side effects:
\n\u2022 Sedation or drowsiness
\n\u2022 Dry mouth
\n\u2022 Constipation, nausea
\n\u2022 Fatigue or weakness
\n\u2022 Blurred vision
\n\u2022 Anxiety or restlessness
\n\u2022 Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
\n\u2022 Confusion or altered consciousness
\n\u2022 Palpitations or changes in EKG patterns
\n\u2022 Tremors
\n\u2022 Increased appetite causing changes in weight over time
\n
\nSerious side effects
\n\u2022 Signs of Neuroleptic \u2022 Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
\n\u2022 Serotonin syndrome
\n\u2022 Increased suicidal thoughts or self-harm behaviors
\n
\n<\/td>		Common side effects:
\n\u2022 Blurred vision
\n\u2022 Impaired coordination
\n\u2022 Physical weakness
\n\u2022 Constipation
\n\u2022 Nausea and vomiting
\n\u2022 Sensitivity to sunlight
\n\u2022 Xerostomia or dry mouth
\n\u2022 Dizziness
\n\u2022 Excessive sweating
\n\u2022 Breast gland tissue growth
\n\u2022 Insomnia
\n\u2022 Drowsiness
\n\u2022 Increased need to urinate
\n\u2022 Abnormal sensations
\n\u2022 Agitation
\n\u2022 Urinary retention
\n\u2022 Tremoring
\n\u2022 Disorientation
\n\u2022 Anxiety
\n\u2022 Changes in blood sugar levels
\n\u2022 Confusion
\n\u2022 Galactorrhea or nipple discharge
\n\u2022 Skin rash
\n\u2022 Itchy skin
\n\u2022 Restlessness
\n
\nSerious side effects:
\n\u2022 Blurred or tunnel vision
\n\u2022 Eye pain
\n\u2022 Seeing halos around lights
\n\u2022 Seizure
\n\u2022 Chest pain
\n\u2022 Jaundice
\n\u2022 Difficulty urinating
\n\u2022 Fever or sore throat
\n\u2022 Bruising or bleeding
\n\u2022 Numbness or slurred speech
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Warnings For Use<\/strong><\/td>Drug interactions
\n\u2022 Other anticholinergic medications
\n\u2022 Blood pressure medication
\n\u2022 Alcohol and barbiturates
\n\u2022 MAOIs
\n\u2022 SSRIs
\n\u2022 Thyroid supplements
\n<\/td>		Drug interactions:
\n\u2022 Arbutamine
\n\u2022 Blood thinning medications like \u2022 Warfarin
\n\u2022 Disulfiram
\n\u2022 Thyroid Supplements
\n\u2022 Anticholinergic drugs
\n\u2022 Clonidine
\n\u2022 Guanabenz
\n\u2022 MAOIs
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n

Amoxapine and Nortriptyline Are the Same Class of Drugs (Tricyclics)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Amoxapine and Nortriptyline are two commonly prescribed medications that belong to the same class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). Although they share many characteristics, they are two different medications with unique properties, which we will discuss below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are Tricyclics?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tricyclics were among the first antidepressant medications to be developed. While they are no longer considered to be first-line agents for the treatment of depression, they are still used in certain cases, such as those who cannot tolerate other antidepressants or for those who have treatment-resistant depression and cannot find relief from their symptoms with other methods.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tricyclics act by increasing two important neurotransmitters, norepinephrine and serotonin. These chemical messengers are important in many bodily functions, such as mood regulation, sleep, appetite, and sex drive. Decreased levels of these neurotransmitters are responsible for the symptoms of depression, and tricyclic antidepressants work to correct this imbalance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tricyclics are not selective in the neurotransmitters that they target unlike SSRIs and SNRIs. For this reason, TCAs can affect other parts of the brain unrelated to mood, which can cause an increased risk of negative side effects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amoxapine and Nortriptyline Are Both Used To Treat Major Depressive Disorder<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Major depressive disorder is one of the most common psychiatric disorders, characterized by a loss of interest in pleasurable activities and feelings of sadness. Depression presents differently from person to person, but some shared symptoms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Changes in appetite<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Changes in sleep<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Feelings of guilt<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • A sense of worthlessness, helplessness, or hopelessness<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    What Else Does Amoxapine Treat?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Amoxapine is a unique tricyclic medication because it affects dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Dopamine plays a role in hallucinations and delusional thought processes, which makes this medication useful in treating depression with psychotic features. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In addition to treating anxiety and depression, Amoxapine is commonly prescribed to treat nerve pain. Because of its sedating effects, it may be a better choice for patients who have agitation associated with their depression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Off-label Uses for Amoxapine <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Like most TCAs, Amoxapine has sedative effects and, therefore, can be potentially useful in treating insomnia.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What Else Does Nortriptyline Treat?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Nortriptyline is only FDA-approved to treat depression. However, it has several off-label uses, which is a term used to describe any indication that has not been approved by the FDA. This does not mean that the medication is not effective for the given condition but that the drug manufacturer has not gone through the extensive FDA research process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Off-label Uses for Nortriptyline   <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    The most common off-label uses for Nortriptyline include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Migraines <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Diabetic neuropathy or nerve pain caused by uncontrolled diabetes <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Postherpetic neuralgia or nerve pain caused by the virus that causes shingles<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Neurogenic cough <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Chronic pain <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Trigeminal neuralgia or nerve pain involving the 5th cranial nerve in the face <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Smoking cessation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      What is Nortriptyline?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Nortriptyline, also known by its brand name, Pamelor, is a tricyclic antidepressant that is used to treat depression. It is used off-label to treat a number of other conditions as well, including headaches, anxiety, and various forms of nerve pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\t\t

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