Vivactil Side Effects

Generic name: protriptyline

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 12, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Vivactil Side Effects associated with protriptyline. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Vivactil.

Applies to protriptyline: oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to allow for changes in your dose and to check for any unwanted effects.

Do not take protriptyline (the active ingredient contained in Vivactil) with a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, isocarboxazid [Marplan®], phenelzine [Nardil®], selegiline [Eldepryl®], or tranylcypromine [Parnate®]) in the past 2 weeks. Do not start taking a MAO inhibitor within 5 days of stopping protriptyline. If you do, you may develop confusion, agitation, restlessness, stomach or intestinal symptoms, sudden high body temperature, extremely high blood pressure, or severe convulsions.

Do not take this medicine together with cisapride (Propulsid®). Using these medicines together may increase the chance of having serious side effects.

For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine can increase thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor right away if you start to feel more depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourself. Report any unusual thoughts or behaviors that trouble you, especially if they are new or get worse quickly. Make sure the doctor knows if you have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, or start to act reckless. Also tell the doctor if you have sudden or strong feelings, such as feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared. Let the doctor know if you or anyone in your family has bipolar disorder (manic-depressive) or has tried to commit suicide. i

Do not Stop taking protriptyline without checking first with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping completely. This may help prevent a possible worsening of your condition and reduce the possibility of withdrawal symptoms such as headache, nausea, or a general feeling of discomfort or illness.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system, possibly causing drowsiness). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine, prescription pain medicine or narcotics, medicine for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. This effect may last for a few days after you Stop taking protriptyline. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are using this medicine.

Before having any kind of surgery, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are using this medicine. Taking protriptyline together with medicines used during surgery may increase the risk of side effects.

This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests or if you have any questions, check with your doctor.

This medicine may cause some people to become drowsy. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use medicines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are drowsy or not alert.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of Vivactil

Along with its needed effects, protriptyline may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking protriptyline:

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking protriptyline:

Symptoms of overdose

• change in consciousness
• clumsiness
• disorientation
• disturbed concentration
• drowsiness to profound coma
• enlarged pupils
• increased or excessive unconscious or jerking movements
• low body temperature
• muscle aches or tightness
• muscle weakness
• severe sleepiness
• shivering
• trouble breathing
• weak or feeble pulse

Other side effects of Vivactil

Some side effects of protriptyline may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to protriptyline: oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported side effects were dry mouth, constipation, and blurred vision.^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Frequency not reported: Alteration in EEG patterns, ataxia, dizziness, drowsiness, extrapyramidal symptoms, extremity numbness, extremity paresthesia, extremity tingling, headache, incoordination, mydriasis, peripheral neuropathy, taste, seizures, stroke, tremors^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Agitation, anxiety, confusional states (particularly in the elderly) with hallucinations, delusions, disorientation, exacerbation of psychosis, hypomania, increased or decreased libido, insomnia, nightmares, panic, restlessness, suicidal behaviors, withdrawal symptoms^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Frequency not reported: Abdominal cramps, black tongue, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, epigastric distress, nausea, paralytic ileus, parotid swelling, tongue edema, stomatitis, sublingual adenitis, vomiting^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Frequency not reported: Arrhythmias, edema, flushing, general edema, myocardial infarction, heart block, hypertension, hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, palpitation, tachycardia^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Frequency not reported: Breast enlargement, delayed micturition, dilatation of the urinary tract, galactorrhea, impotence, nocturia, testicular swelling, urinary frequency, urinary retention^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Alopecia, face edema, itching, perspiration, petechia, photosensitization, skin rash, urticaria^[Ref]

Other

• Frequency not reported: Drug fever, fatigue, hyperpyrexia, malaise, tinnitus, weakness^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Frequency not reported: Agranulocytosis, bone marrow depression, eosinophilia, leukopenia, purpura, thrombocytopenia^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Anorexia, elevation or depression of blood sugar levels, weight gain or loss^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Frequency not reported: Altered liver function, jaundice (simulating obstructive)^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Blurred vision, disturbance of accommodation^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Frequency not reported: Gynecomastia, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Vivactil side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer