Nortriptyline dosage

Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant used mainly in the treatment of depression; also, the use is most common in endogenous depression. Metabolic and hormonal changes in a person can initiate endogenous depression and this drug stabilizes such secretion balancing the mental health of the patient. Along with Depression, this drug has common prescription for some other medical conditions like premenstrual depression, Attention Deficit and hyperactivity disorder in children, bed-wetting or enuresis in children also in migraine and chronic pain.

Although there are well prescribed doses for the administration of the drug in to patient’s body often physician has to think about lot of factors before planning the dosage of Nortriptyline in patients. Most often different points that have to be considered before planning the dosage includes the age of patient, existing medical condition, medical history of patient, other medications patient is using and evaluating their interactions. Therefore, letting the physician decide the ideal dose for you becomes more important and, the dosage always starts with lower quantity and eventually are increased to higher amounts. Hence, if you want to find out the actual dosages that can be prescribed in various conditions and for various genre are described below.

Nortriptyline Adult Dosage for Depression

• In adults the recommended dose is about 25-150 mg per day orally in divided dose otherwise the total daily dosage can be given once in a day.

Nortriptyline Elderly Dosage for Depression

• Not to exceed more than 10-75 mg per day in divided doses or can be consumed once in a day.

Nortriptyline Pediatric Dosage for Depression

• As the drug is not considered safe for the children and kids below 13 years of age use of Nortriptyline in them is not advised by many physicians and doctors. However, for the children above 13 years and below 18 years of age the prescribed dose is 30-50 mg daily in divided dosage or once in day and should not exceed more than 150 mg per day.

Nortriptyline Pediatric Dosage for Nocturnal Enuresis

• As the drug is used in the treatment of enuresis, the prescribed dose varies with different age groups. For children in the age group of 6 years to 13 years having weight less than 25 kg should take 10 mg per day 30 minutes before bedtime.
• Children within the weight group of 25 kg to 35 kg should take10-20 mg per day 30 minutes before bedtime
• Children above weight group of 35 kg should take 25-30 mg per day 30 minutes before bed

Precautions to be maintained with Nortriptyline Dosage

• Continue taking the dose at same time on each day
• Yu can take them with or without food depending on your metabolic activities.
• Due to drowsiness and dizziness, you can consult your doctor about taking the dose once at bedtime.
• Often you have to wait for longer periods and continue the drugs for longer duration for the releieving symptoms to appear hence do not get discouraged.
•  For better results, you have to continue taking, the dose s prescribed by the physician the potency of the drug is reduced if not followed the pattern of prescribed dose.
•  Often stopping Nortriptyline abruptly without medical attention and without discussing it with your doctor can be harmful as it increases risk of withdrawal symptoms