Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, asthma, thyroid disease, diabetes, stomach or intestinal problems, high blood pressure or heart disease, had a heart attack in the last 6 weeks, an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating, or glaucoma. You may not be able to take protriptyline, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during therapy if you have any of the conditions listed above.

While you are taking protriptyline you may need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and/or suicidal thoughts at the start of therapy or when doses are changed. This concern about the increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors may be greater if you are younger than 18 years of age and are taking protriptyline. For patients in this age group, the period of risk may extend beyond start of therapy or when doses are changed. Your doctor may want you to monitor for the following symptoms: anxiety, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, impulsivity, severe restlessness, and mania (mental and/or physical hyperactivity). These symptoms may be associated with the development of worsening symptoms of depression and/or suicidal thoughts or actions. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop any new or worsening mental health symptoms during treatment with protriptyline.

On the other hand, do not stop taking this medicine suddenly. This could cause symptoms such as nausea, headache, and malaise.

Do not take protriptyline if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan®), phenelzine (Nardil®), or tranylcypromine (Parnate®) within the last 14 days.

Furthermore, this medicine may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including other antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines without first talking to your doctor.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with protriptyline. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Additionally, it is not known whether protriptyline will harm an unborn baby. Do not take protriptyline without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

Moreover, it is not known whether protriptyline passes into breast milk. Do not take protriptyline without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, unsteadiness, feeling uncoordinated, and low blood pressure. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.

Use cautiously when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. This medicine may cause drowsiness or dizziness, so try to avoid these activities.

Dizziness is likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall.

Also, alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking this medicine.

 

FDA Information

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Other uses for this medicine

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In case of an emergency/overdose