Pamelor

Pamelor is a tricyclic antidepressant that treats symptoms of depression.

Pamelor may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Measure liquid medicine with the supplied syringe or a dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Tell your doctor if you have a planned surgery.

You may have withdrawal symptoms if you stop using Pamelor suddenly. Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine.

Your symptoms may not improve for a few weeks.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Some young people may have thoughts about suicide when they first start taking an antidepressant. Pay attention to any changes in your mood or symptoms. Tell your doctor about any new or worsening symptoms.

You should not use Pamelor if:

• you are allergic to Pamelor or similar medicines (amitriptyline, amoxapine, clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, protriptyline, trimipramine);
• you are allergic to certain seizure medications (carbamazepine, eslicarbazepine, oxcarbazepine, rufinamide); or
• you recently had a heart attack.

Do not use Pamelor if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could happen. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and others.

Tell your doctor if you have taken an "SSRI" antidepressant in the last 5 weeks, such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, or vilazodone.

Tell your doctor if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or to prevent nausea and vomiting. An interaction with Pamelor could lead to a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• unexplained fainting spells;
• a genetic heart condition called Brugada syndrome;
• a family history of unexplained death before the age of 45;
• heart disease;
• a heart attack or stroke;
• a seizure;
• bipolar disorder (manic-depression);
• schizophrenia or other mental illness;
• a thyroid disorder;
• problems with urination;
• narrow-angle glaucoma; or
• if you are receiving electroshock treatment.

Some young people may think about suicide when they first start taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should monitor your progress during regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also watch for changes in your mood or symptoms.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: changes in mood or behavior, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Pamelor may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;
• feeling light-headed, like you might pass out;
• seizure (convulsions);
• new or worsening chest pain, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
• sudden numbness or weakness, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
• fever, sore throat, easy bruising, unusual bleeding;
• painful or difficult urination; or
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Common side effects of Pamelor may include:

• increased blood pressure;
• numbness or tingling in your hands or feet;
• dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
• blurred vision;
• rash, itching; or
• breast swelling (in men or women).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the medicine as soon as you remember, but skip the missed dose if it's nearly time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at once.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include irregular heartbeats, severe drowsiness, vision problems, confusion, hallucinations, agitation, stiff muscles, overactive reflexes, vomiting, feeling hot or cold, feeling like you might pass out, seizures, or coma.

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how Pamelor will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Pamelor could make you sunburn more easily. Avoid sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Using Pamelor with other medications that cause drowsiness can make this effect stronger. Ask your doctor before taking opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your other medications, especially:

• medicine to treat depression, anxiety, mood disorders, or mental illness;
• cold or allergy medicine (like Benadryl, Sudafed, and others);
• a stimulant medicine, such as diet pills or ADHD medicine;
• medicine to treat Parkinson's disease;
• medicine to treat stomach problems, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome;
• medicine to treat overactive bladder; or
• bronchodilator asthma medication.

This list is not complete. Other medications may affect Pamelor, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

• What are some common side effects of antidepressants?