Protriptyline

Generic name: protriptyline [ proe-TRIP-ti-leen ]
Brand name: Vivactil
Dosage form: oral tablet (10 mg; 5 mg)
Drug class:Tricyclic antidepressants

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jun 14, 2021. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is protriptyline?

Protriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant that is used to treat symptoms of depression.

Protriptyline may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use protriptyline if you are allergic to it, or if:

• you have recently had a heart attack.

Do not use protriptyline if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and others.

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

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease;

• a heart attack or stroke;

• a seizure;

• bipolar disorder (manic-depression);

• schizophrenia or other mental illness;

• a thyroid disorder;

• narrow-angle glaucoma;

• problems with urination;

• if you are receiving electroshock therapy.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to change...