Anyone that has switched from Amitriptyline to Nortriptyline

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1

I am considering switching from Amitriptyline to Nortriptyline. Amitriptyline has worked pretty well for me so far...but far from perfect. I still get flare ups, sometimes for a week or two at a time but overall things are manageable.

I have had side effects with Amitriptyline. Dry mouth, weight gain, fatigue, short term memory and concentration problems. I met with a Neurologist that wants me to switch from 60mgs Amitriptyline to 50mgs Nortriptyline, in one step.

I'm nervous about this. I don't want the pain to come back. These meds take quite awhile to build up and I don't want to end up in a worse situation.

Has anyone made this transition? Or used both of these meds at one point?

Thanks :)

2

It should be ok. Amitriptyline is converted in the body to nortriptyline, so the effects should be nearly the same. Nortriptyline is supposed to have slightly fewer side-effects, but I would imagine this would vary from person to person.

3

That's interesting. I didn't know that. Amitriptyline has been pretty good to me but I want to try Nortriptyline because of the fewer side effects. Thanks lenny

lenny said:

It should be ok. Amitriptyline is converted in the body to nortriptyline, so the effects should be nearly the same. Nortriptyline is supposed to have slightly fewer side-effects, but I would imagine this would vary from person to person.