Nortriptyline

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Dec 19, 2022

Side Effects


Nortriptyline Side Effects

Possible side effects of nortriptyline are listed below. Call your doctor if these side effects are severe or persistent after a few days.

  • Nausea
  • Tiredness
  • Drowsiness
  • Dry mouth
  • Excessive sweating
  • Excitement or anxiety
  • Nightmares
  • Constipation
  • Frequent urination or urinary retention (difficulty with urination)
  • Changes in sex drive

Some of the adverse effects of nortriptyline can be more serious. Call your doctor right away or seek emergency medical help if you experience any of the following symptoms:

  • Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
  • Trouble breathing or swallowing
  • Skin rash or other signs of allergic reactions
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes
  • Fever
  • Difficulty walking or a shuffling walk
  • Slow or difficult speech
  • Uncontrolled shaking
  • Neck,  jaw or back spasms

The above list may not include all the potential side effects of nortriptyline. Talk to your doctor about the risk of side effects. Tell your doctor if the side effects are unusual or severe or they do not get better over time. You can also report unusual side effects to the Food and Drug Administration at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Nortriptyline Overdose: In case of an overdose of nortriptyline, call your doctor immediately. You can also call the local poison control center or national poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Signs and symptoms of a nortriptyline overdose may include irregular heartbeat, high or low body temperature, drowsiness, widened pupils, vomiting, stiff muscles, confusion, agitation, seizures, hallucinations, and coma.

Source: FDA