Nortriptyline (generic for Pamelor®)
FDA Approved
Nortriptyline (generic for Pamelor®)
- Nortriptyline Hydrochloride ()
Generic For Pamelor®
How does Cabinet care for you?
Seamless transfer process. Our pharmacist will coordinate with your current pharmacy or provider to transfer your prescription.
Better for the planet. Our pharmacy will send your prescription refills in plastic-free, compostable pouches.
Stress-free refills. Our care team will help manage your refills and prescription renewals, so you don't have to worry about running out of pills.
Satisfaction guarantee. If your care needs aren't being met, our care team is here and eager to help! If you're not satisfied, we can transfer your prescription back to your old pharmacy at any time.

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Meet the only sustainable
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Magnetic label with drug information, lot #, expiration date and QR code to scan for refills. Fully recyclable and made from galvanized steel.
Color coded and child resistant cap with medicine category label.
Frosted, shatter-tested glass medicine bottle, made from 100% recyclable materials.
100% industrial compostable refill pouches keep medicine as fresh and safe as plastic medicine bottles.


Frequently Asked Questions
Nortriptyline is the generic equivalent of Pamelor®.
By law, a generic drug must be the same as its brand name counterpart in terms of active ingredient, dosage, safety, effectiveness, strength, stability, and quality. A generic may, however, differ in its inactive ingredients (i.e. flavoring, fillers, and preservatives).
Nortriptyline (Pamelor®) does come with serious warnings. These include:
Increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in adolescents and young adults*
Serotonin syndrome—a rare, but potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when there’s too much serotonin in the brain
Increased risk of irregular heartbeat or heart attack in people with a history of heart disease
Glaucoma
Manic episodes or hypomania in patients with bipolar disorder
Increased risk of heart rate or rhythm problems in patients with overactive thyroid
If any of the above concern you, speak with your doctor or pharmacist about your perceived risk and other treatment options that exist.
*This warning is a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious type of medication warning assigned by the FDA.
Nortriptyline is FDA approved for the treatment of:
Major depressive disorder (MDD) or depression
Chronic pain (off-label)
Diabetic neuropathy (off-label)
Postherpetic neuralgia (off-label)
Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). It works by blocking the brain’s absorption of norepinephrine and serotonin, “feed good” chemicals in your brain. The end result? An increased level of norepinephrine and serotonin in your brain, which is thought to improve mood.
The most common side effects of nortriptyline include:
Dry mouth
Constipation
Nausea/vomiting
Blurred vision, lightheadedness
Low or high blood pressure
Lack of appetite
Allergic reaction (i.e. skin rash, swelling of the face and tongue, itching, trouble breathing)
Drowsiness
Altered sex drive
Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
Weight gain or loss
Withdrawal symptoms—abrupt discontinuation of treatment can cause nausea, headache, and general discomfort
Side effects may improve over time as your body adjusts to the medicine.
This list doesn’t represent all possible side effects (or serious side effects) of nortriptyline. If you’re experiencing any ongoing, bothersome side effect(s), tell your healthcare provider right away.
If you’d like to learn more, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also has a helpful medication guide for nortriptyline here.
Nortriptyline can interact with some prescription drugs and supplements. It’s always recommended to give both your doctor and pharmacy an updated list of everything you’re taking, so drug interactions can be identified.
Some medicines and supplements nortriptyline can interact with include:
Reserpine
Cimetidine
Opioids: tramadol, fentanyl
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors): citalopram, sertraline, fluoxetine, paroxetine
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): selegiline, phenelzine, linezolid, methylene blue, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid
SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors): desvenlafaxine, venlafaxine, duloxetine, milnacipran
Triptans: sumatriptan, eletriptan, naratriptan
St. John’s Wort
Amitriptyline
This list doesn’t represent all the drugs that may not be safe to take with nortriptyline. If you’re unsure whether a certain drug or supplement can be taken with nortriptyline, seek medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist. The FDA also has a helpful medication guide for nortriptyline here.
If you accidentally miss your dose of nortriptyline, take the dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose (within 2 hours), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Don't take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
Nortriptyline may be taken with or without food. Many people do, however, opt to take this medicine at bedtime to minimize side effects.
During pregnancy: The safety of nortriptyline use during pregnancy hasn’t been established and results from animal reproduction studies remain inconclusive.
While breastfeeding: Nortriptyline passes into breastmilk in very small amounts, with no reports of adverse effects on infants.
It’s important to treat mental health-related conditions when pregnant or nursing, as untreated depression, anxiety, or other mental illnesses can harm both you and baby. Always let your provider know if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, so you can discuss the risks and benefits of starting or continuing nortriptyline.
Avoid use of alcohol when taking nortriptyline. Excessive use of alcohol can increase the risk of suicide or overdose, especially in patients with history of suicidal ideation.
All prescriptions are filled at HealthHavenRx - our partner pharmacy and the only pharmacy that can fill prescriptions in our sustainable pouches! If you need to contact them, please call them at the number below.
HealthHavenRx
Toll-Free: 1-877-289-2839
1 Chestnut Street, Suite 3Y
Nashua, NH 03060
A prescription transfer is what happens when you switch pharmacies. During the transfer process our partner pharmacy will contact your existing pharmacy to move your prescription over.
For now, we partner with a cash-pay only pharmacy. In many situations the prices are less than your copay!
Not yet, but we're working on it! In the meantime, you can place and order and get a receipt from your account portal to send in for reimbursement.
Absolutely! Please email our pharmacy team at pharmacist@cabinethealth.com and we'll get right back to you.
Generally, our partner pharmacy can fill most non-controlled, oral dose prescriptions in Cabinet's compostable refill pouches. They currently do not fill liquid, cream, or compounded medications. We'll contact you directly if the pharmacy has any issue transferring your prescription.

by Joanna Tam, Lead Pharmacist, PharmD
Disclaimer: The information on this page is a summary and is not intended to cover all available information about this medication. It does not cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects and is not a substitute for the expertise and judgment of your healthcare professional. Consult your healthcare provider before starting or discontinuing any course of treatment.