Lupus Site - a guide for lupus patients and their families

Brand names - Vivactil.

Medication type - Tricyclic antidepressant.

Common side effects - Drowsiness or dizziness, headache, dry mouth or unpleasant taste, fatigue, heightened sensitivity to light, weight gain, increased appetite, nausea, excitability.

Rare side effects - Heartburn or indigestion, sleeping difficulty, diarrhoea, increased sweating, vomiting.

Serious side effects - Confusion, heartbeat irregularities, hallucinations, seizures, extreme fatigue or drowsiness, blurred or altered vision, breathing difficulty, constipation, staring and absence of facial expression, impaired concentration, difficult urination, fever, extreme and persistent restlessness, loss of coordination and balance, difficulty swallowing or speaking, dilated pupils, eye pain, fainting. Also trembling, shaking, weakness, and stiffness in the extremities; shuffling gait. Call your doctor immediately.

Uses - To relieve the symptoms of major depression.

Other notes - Can take 1-6 weeks to start working. To lessen stomach upset, take with food, unless your doctor instructs otherwise. Increase intake of fiber and fluids. Avoid alcohol. Adequate human studies have not been done. Consult your doctor for specific advice. Protriptyline passes into breast milk; do not use it while nursing. This is a potentially dangerous drug, especially if taken in excess. Tricyclic antidepressants should not be within easy reach of suicidal patients. If dry mouth occurs, use candy or sugarless gum for relief.