Vivactil (Protriptyline Hydrochloride Tablet) Patient Information: Side Effects and Drug Images at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Vivactil

Prescription Anxiety Medications »

What are anxiety medications and how do they work?

Anxiety is both a normal and useful response to potentially stressful or dangerous situations. It helps by increasing our awareness of what's going on around us and in other ways. For most people, the anxiety is short lived and normally goes away once the situation has passed. But that is not the case for an estimated 40 million adults in the United States who have some type of anxiety disorder and experience ongoing and unwarranted psychological distress. That distress may also manifest itself in physical symptoms such as muscle tension, headaches, or chest pain.

Anxiety medications include multiple types of drugs that are used to treat the symptoms of anxiety disorders. The three most commonly prescribed types of anxiety medication are antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications -- also known as anxiolytics -- and beta-blockers. The first two types of anxiety medications work primarily by affecting the ba...

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Vivactil

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Vivactil Patient Information Including Side Effects

Brand Names: Vivactil

Generic Name: protriptyline (Pronunciation: proe TRIP ti leen)

What is protriptyline (Vivactil)?

Protriptyline is in a group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. Protriptyline affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced.

Protriptyline is used to treat symptoms of depression.

Protriptyline may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of protriptyline (Vivactil)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

fast, pounding, or uneven heart rate;
chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
confusion, hallucinations, or seizure (convulsions);
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;
urinating less than usual or not at all;
extreme thirst with headache, nausea, vomiting, and weakness; or
feeling light-headed or fainting.

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite;
constipation or diarrhea;
dry mouth, unpleasant taste;
weakness, lack of coordination;
feeling anxious, restless, dizzy, drowsy, or tired;
sleep problems (insomnia), nightmares;
blurred vision, headache, ringing in your ears;
breast swelling (in men or women); or
decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about protriptyline (Vivactil)?

Do not use protriptyline if you have recently had a heart attack, or if you have taken cisapride (Propulsid) or used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

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