Protriptyline

Protriptyline is an antidepressant medication. This medication changes the brain chemistry of depressed people to help lift their moods and eliminate negative feelings such as anger, guilt and sadness that contribute to depression.

Side Effects/Warnings

Some patients become severely depressed on this medication. Patients may become suicidal and engage in self-harming behavior. This side effect is most likely to occur in patients who are under the age of 24, but may occur in patients of any age. All patients should be monitored for potentially self-harming behavior while on this medication.

This medication causes physical changes in the brain; it is not safe to suddenly stop taking it. Withdrawal from this medication can cause seizures, heart attacks and extremely high blood pressure as well as psychiatric symptoms such as mood swings and suicidal depression. Patients who want to stop taking this medication should gradually taper off it while under a doctor’s supervision.