Protriptyline: Difference between revisions

Protriptyline
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Latest revision as of 11:37, 15 February 2025

Overview of the antidepressant medication Protriptyline

Protriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) used primarily in the treatment of depression. It is known for its stimulating effects and is often prescribed when patients experience lethargy or fatigue as part of their depressive symptoms.

Pharmacology[edit]

Protriptyline works by inhibiting the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin, two neurotransmitters that are believed to play a key role in mood regulation. By preventing the reabsorption of these neurotransmitters, protriptyline increases their availability in the synaptic cleft, thereby enhancing neurotransmission and improving mood.

Medical uses[edit]

Protriptyline is primarily indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder. It is particularly useful in patients who exhibit symptoms of fatigue and low energy, as it has a more stimulating effect compared to other TCAs. Additionally, protriptyline has been used off-label for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.

Side effects[edit]

Common side effects of protriptyline include dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision, and increased heart rate. These effects are due to its anticholinergic properties. Patients may also experience dizziness, insomnia, and weight loss. Serious side effects can include cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, and orthostatic hypotension.

Contraindications[edit]

Protriptyline is contraindicated in patients with a history of myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, or severe liver disease. It should not be used in conjunction with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) due to the risk of serotonin syndrome.

Mechanism of action[edit]

Protriptyline acts primarily as a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, with secondary effects on serotonin reuptake. Its mechanism of action is similar to other tricyclic antidepressants, but it is distinguished by its relatively low sedative properties, making it suitable for patients who require an energizing antidepressant.

Dosage and administration[edit]

Protriptyline is typically administered orally in tablet form. The dosage varies depending on the patient's age, weight, and severity of symptoms. It is usually started at a low dose and gradually increased to minimize side effects. Regular monitoring of blood levels may be necessary to ensure therapeutic efficacy and safety.

History[edit]

Protriptyline was first introduced in the 1960s and has been used in clinical practice for several decades. It is one of the less commonly prescribed TCAs due to the availability of newer antidepressants with more favorable side effect profiles.

Related pages[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{intro}}
+{{Short description|Overview of the antidepressant medication Protriptyline}}
-Protriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant that was previously widely used in the therapy of major [[depression]]. Most of the tricyclic antidepressants have been shown to cause a low rate of mild and transient serum enzyme elevations and rare cases of clinically apparent acute cholestatic liver injury. The potential hepatotoxicity specifically of protriptyline, however, has not been well defined.
+{{Drugbox
+| verifiedfields = changed
+| verifiedrevid = 477002123
+| image = Protriptyline.svg
+| image_size = 200px
+| image_alt = Chemical structure of Protriptyline
+}}
-{{moa}}
+'''Protriptyline''' is a [[tricyclic antidepressant]] (TCA) used primarily in the treatment of [[depression]]. It is known for its stimulating effects and is often prescribed when patients experience lethargy or fatigue as part of their depressive symptoms.
-Protriptyline (proe trip' ti leen) is a tricyclic antidepressant which acts by inhibition of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake within synaptic clefts in the central nervous system, thus increasing brain levels of these neurotransmitters.
-{{fda}]
+==Pharmacology==
-Protriptyline is indicated for therapy of major [[depression]] and was approved for this indication in the United States in 1967, but is no longer widely used, having been replaced by the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other better tolerated and more easily administered agents. Protriptyline, unlike other tricyclic antidepressants, tends to be energizing rather than sedating and is used off label for narcolepsy, sleep apnea and attention deficit disorder.
+Protriptyline works by inhibiting the reuptake of [[norepinephrine]] and [[serotonin]], two neurotransmitters that are believed to play a key role in mood regulation. By preventing the reabsorption of these neurotransmitters, protriptyline increases their availability in the [[synaptic cleft]], thereby enhancing neurotransmission and improving mood.
-{{dose}}
+==Medical uses==
-Protriptyline is available in generic forms and under the brand name of Vivactil in 5 and 10 mg tablets. The typical recommended dose for [[depression]] in adults is 15 to 40 mg daily in 3 to 4 divided doses.
+Protriptyline is primarily indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder. It is particularly useful in patients who exhibit symptoms of fatigue and low energy, as it has a more stimulating effect compared to other TCAs. Additionally, protriptyline has been used off-label for the treatment of [[attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]] (ADHD) and [[narcolepsy]].
-{{se}}
+==Side effects==
-Common side effects include [[dizziness]], [[headache]], [[drowsiness]], restlessness, confusion, tachycardia, gastrointestinal upset, [[increased appetite]], [[weight gain]], blurred vision, [[dry mouth]] and urinary retention.
+Common side effects of protriptyline include dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision, and increased heart rate. These effects are due to its anticholinergic properties. Patients may also experience dizziness, insomnia, and weight loss. Serious side effects can include [[cardiac arrhythmias]], [[seizures]], and [[orthostatic hypotension]].
-{{antidepressants}}
+==Contraindications==
+Protriptyline is contraindicated in patients with a history of [[myocardial infarction]], [[arrhythmias]], or severe [[liver disease]]. It should not be used in conjunction with [[monoamine oxidase inhibitors]] (MAOIs) due to the risk of [[serotonin syndrome]].
-{{coststubd}}
+==Mechanism of action==
+[[File:Protriptyline.svg|thumb|left|Chemical structure of Protriptyline]]
+Protriptyline acts primarily as a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, with secondary effects on serotonin reuptake. Its mechanism of action is similar to other tricyclic antidepressants, but it is distinguished by its relatively low sedative properties, making it suitable for patients who require an energizing antidepressant.
+==Dosage and administration==
+Protriptyline is typically administered orally in tablet form. The dosage varies depending on the patient's age, weight, and severity of symptoms. It is usually started at a low dose and gradually increased to minimize side effects. Regular monitoring of blood levels may be necessary to ensure therapeutic efficacy and safety.
+==History==
+Protriptyline was first introduced in the 1960s and has been used in clinical practice for several decades. It is one of the less commonly prescribed TCAs due to the availability of newer antidepressants with more favorable side effect profiles.
+==Related pages==
+* [[Tricyclic antidepressant]]
+* [[Norepinephrine]]
+* [[Serotonin]]
+* [[Depression (mood disorder)]]
+[[Category:Tricyclic antidepressants]]
+[[Category:Antidepressants]]
+[[Category:Drugs acting on the nervous system]]