Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant used to treat major depression. Nortriptyline hydrochloride, the active metabolite of amitriptyline, is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). This drug is also used off-label and it includes the treatment of chronic pain, myofascial pain, neuralgia, and irritable bowel syndrome. Nortriptyline exerts antidepressant functions by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in the neurons. It is possible by its binding to the sodium-dependent noradrenaline transporter and to the sodium-dependent serotonin transporter. This drug displays a more selective reuptake inhibition for noradrenaline, which may explain increased symptom improvement after nortriptyline therapy. As with other tricyclics, nortriptyline displays an affinity for other receptors including mACh receptors, histamine receptors, and 5-HT receptors, in addition to other receptors. This drug is administered as a tablet or as an oral solution.

Nortriptyline Pathway References