Vivactil (protriptyline hydrochloride) Side Effects, Uses Dosages
Side Effects for Vivactil (protriptyline hydrochloride)
Underused, extremely effective
Constipation, insomnia, drowsiness
None whatsoever. Occasional constipation but tolerable
Being a professional nurse, I knew the side effects and mechanism of action of many anti-depressants. I have tried many antidepressants to treat my depression. This has been the only medication that has actually worked for me. Increased energy, alertness, and overall positive mood. Before this medication I had zero energy, slim to no appetite, and no desire to get out of the bed each day. It took about 2-4 weeks to tell a difference after starting the medication. Not sure why TCAs aren't prescribed more often. Only downside to this medication is that since it is an older generation TCA, not many pharmacies carry it. But well worth it, changed my life for the better.
Dry mouth, anxiety, dizziness.
Caused anxiousness in the morning when it kicked in @15MG. Had to use xanax to counteract. No noticeable effects for headaches, as prescribed.
Major Depression with anhedonia
I had tachycardia and almost died trying to exercise with a pulse of over 200bpm!
It did nothing for my anhedonia or depression
none -- I had sexual side effects (low desire, no orgasm) but they went away.
I've tried every antidepressent, and every SSRI causes sexual dysfunction that never gets better no matter how long I stay on the drug. Vivactil caused anorgasmia in the beginning, but after several weeks, it wore off! Never had that happen. It helps but does not fix my depression.
insomnia, anorgasmia, constipation, dry mouth
Vivactil works far better for me than anything else I've tried -- Prozac, Wellbutrin, Paxil, a slew of supposedly cleaner and better drugs. It both calms me down and energizes me -- hard to describe. I'm more focused on others, less on myself. It has me on the thin side because it does take away the appetite a bit, but no complaints there. The worst of it is the sexual side effect -- low libido, no orgasm, little feeling. I don't know if I'll be able to tolerate this in the long run, but for now it's helping me navigate this awful time of perimenopause/PMDD. The constipation is not terrible, the insomnia's getting better and the dry mouth can be managed with lots of fluids and gum.
-Difficult urinating-Difficult Ejaculating-Woke up 2-3 times a night to urinate
I am winding down taking Vivactil. Since lowering my dosaged my headaches have decreased. This was presribed to prevent migraines but I think it triggering daily headaches.
No negative side effects thus far, However an increased libido and sensitivity is apparent..A side effect I don't mind one bit..No dry mouth as of yet, And it hasn't effected my sleep or anything.
Been on this medication for about a week now to treat depression, And can safely say it's already had a positive effect. And look forward to the coming week's of use..Surely worth a try for anyone who suffers from depression..
None! Unless you consider sexual activation to be a side effect - libido, arousal and sensation are all increased. Although protriptyline is supposed to be somewhat anticholinergic, I have no significant problem with dry mouth, less than with desipramine.
I’d give this more than a 5 rating if I could. As one of the earlier posters said, it is a mystery why protriptyline is not prescribed more. Partly this must be because it is in the older TCA class (although I am very supportive of new drug development, expiration of patent protection means that an older drug will not be promoted, no matter how effective it is).I am a neuroscience professor and have tried many different options, including Wellbutrin, Celexa, Effexor, Pristiq, Cymbalta, and Desipramine. Although effexor worked well for depression, the sexual side effects were worse than I was willing to put up with. Protriptyline has made me feel actually cheerful for the first time since I came down with depression about a year and a half ago. According to my wife, I am better than for the last 30 years...I find a fairly low dose works best for me (for this medication and the others), less than the usual recommended amount. I don’t know if this would be true for other people. I gradually increase the dose of any new med until it starts working less well and then go back down to the amount that worked best.
I have treatment resistant depression and am very sensitive to side effects. This is the only antideppressant that has EVER worked for me. It is amazing, and I'm perplexed as to why doctors don't prescribe it more. Lifts your energy, too. No weight gain. I had absolutely no side effects. Downside: it wears off quickly, have to take at least two a day. Also, the generic did not work for me.
Dry mouth, constipation, both very manageable; not bad at all.
I was put on this drug for Migraines.I was previously taking Remeron for the migraines, which worked wonderfully, but had the unpleasant side effect of 35 lb weight gain and fatigue.Thankfully my Dr. had me try this Vivactil on a daily basis, which has helped me immensely without the weight gain problem. Actually the Vivactil has curbed my appetite somewhat.This drug has also helped me with panic/depression.I highly recommend trying this drug for migraines. The side effects are minimal & tolerable. Vivactil has given me much relief from migraines and the depression that go along with migraine headaches.
Side Effects forvivactil (protriptyline hydrochloride) - User Comments
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Sleeplessness when meds weren't taken,withdrawl/addictions.Symptoms include anxiety,anxiousness,panic attacks,restlesness,headache,drowsiness......etc.
Severe constipation, restlessness, and severe itching. At times I would not have the urge to go for days and have to use an enema to induce bowel movement. The itching is the worst. It happens on my thighs, belly, and under arms the most. I itch many bruises into my skin because it is so bad and I cant stop.
My doctor gave me a starter pack of effexor. After taking four doses of the 35.5 mg, I had dry eyes, which grew into eye tics, as well as lose of musle control in my bottom jaw. I have diffuculty talking, eating, and drinking. I am unable to drive because of vision difficulties. I stopped taking it three days ago and have not had any relief from the above side effects.
Major bloating, horrible cramps, horrible mood, irritable
This drug should be taken off the market, never in my life have I felt so uncomfortable that it is hard to concentrate while doing anything, due to the discomfort in my feet and stomach. I also get a flushed and warm feeling in my stomach and chest. I never realized that my hair loss was caused by this medication, the top of my hair is very thin that you are able to see my scalp. I got a mamogram last week just to ease my mind. The thing that worry me most is the fact that I am having all these horrible symptoms and not able to quiet my mind, wondering is something terrible is wrong with me. I did not wait for the doctor to tell me, over a week ago I stop taking it and still have the symptons, with just a little relief. I cannot wait for it to go away completely. I am going for blood work in a few days. This is a warning to go on a stricter diet so I would not have to consume these lethal medications.
Love it. Have no side effects as long as dont take on empty stomache.I have an energy boost and can live with the pain now.
acne, birth control, gain weight
In higher doses, be close to a couch or bed. Sleep is almost immediate. Complete relaxation of all muscles is quickly attained. Relieves tension of muscles which tense during migraine pain.
If it hadn't been for the herbals I took I don't know where I'd be.
although it did help my daughter's allergy symptoms, it was not worth the emotional side effects she seemed to experience -- sadness, irritability, fatigue, depressed. I took her off Zyrtec, and she is back to her happy, normal self.