Protriptyline
Risk Factor: C
Class: CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DRUGS
/ Antidepressants
Contents of this page:
Fetal Risk Summary
Breast Feeding Summary
References
Questions and Answers
Fetal Risk Summary
Protriptyline, a dibenzocycloheptene derivative, is a tricyclic antidepressant. Other antidepressants in this class are amitriptyline and its metabolite, nortriptyline.
Reproduction studies in mice, rats, and rabbits at doses about 10 times greater than the recommended human dose had no apparent adverse effects on reproduction (1).
No reports on the use of protriptyline during human pregnancy have been located. See also Amitriptyline and Nortriptyline.
Breast Feeding Summary
No reports describing the use of protriptyline during lactation have been located. The molecular weight (about 300 for the hydrochloride salt) is low enough, however, that excretion into breast milk should be expected. The effects on a nursing infant from exposure to the drug in breast milk are unknown. The American Academy of Pediatrics classifies amitriptyline, a similar antidepressant, as a drug whose effect on the nursing infant is unknown but may be of concern (see Amitriptyline).
References
-
Product information. Vivactil. Merck, 2000.
Questions and Answers
I have been precribed the tricyclic antidepressant Protriptyline by my doctor. The problem is that I have been, to four pharmacies (two local, and Duane Reade and CVS) and no one can get this medication for me. Duane Reade suggested that I contact Merck (the maker of the drug), but they offer no way to email them. My doctor insists that he has patients on this medication, and I called & asked to tell me which pharmacy on what planet has it, but he hasn't answered me, yet (probably is on vacation). Does anyone have any suggestions?
Have you tried Wal-greens? You can't find your doctor will have to switch your meds or help you find it. It may be new for so many pharmacies to not have it.
