Nortriptyline Alternatives

Although most people tolerate nortriptyline well, the medication may cause bothersome side effects or it may not work as well as intended. In these situations, there are several alternatives to nortriptyline, such as therapy, other depression medications, or alternative therapies. Some of the medications that can be used as nortriptyline alternatives include SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, and tricyclic antidepressants. In situations where therapy and medications do not work, people may also consider electroconvulsive therapy.

Nortriptyline HCl Drug Information

Nortriptyline Alternatives: An Overview

Nortriptyline hydrochloride (Pamelor^®) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of depression (also known as major depression or clinical depression). Nortriptyline is part of a group of antidepressant medications called tricyclic antidepressants.

For many people, nortriptyline is effective in treating their symptoms and most people tolerate it well. However, as with all medicines, side effects can occur or the medicine may not adequately control a patient's symptoms. Fortunately, there are several alternatives to nortriptyline for depression treatment, including:

Therapy
Other depression medications (also known as antidepressants)
Electroconvulsive therapy
Alternative (natural) therapies.

Therapy as a Nortriptyline Alternative

Many forms of psychotherapy, including some short-term therapies (10 to 20 weeks), can help people with depression.

"Talk" therapies help patients gain insight into and resolve their problems through verbal exchange with the therapist, sometimes combined with "homework" assignments between sessions. Behavioral therapists help patients learn how to obtain more satisfaction through their own actions and how to unlearn the behavioral patterns that contribute to or result from their depression.

(Click Psychotherapy for Depression to learn more about this depression treatment option.)

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