Dysthymia
Question: I am an adult male diagnosed with dysthemia and periodic episodes of major depression. I am currently beginning therapy with nortriptyline. However, I have found that even at 50 mg per day at bedtime I experience daytime drowsiness, blurred vision, dry mouth, dizziness when rising, and a metallic taste. I have been at this dose for 2 weeks and have not noticed any improvement in side effects. I am scheduled to see my psychiatrist soon for evaluation. Are these side effects likely to remit during treatment? I was previously on Paxil and discontinued after a fainting episode with no evidence of irregular EEG. The dose was 20 mg per day. The paxil was beginning to have a therapeutic effect after only 10 days. Would this indicate that an ssri would be likely to be effective?
Answer: These side effects will persist as long as you take the medication-- the dizziness might improve some. You might try Serzone, Wellbutrin, etc. different classes of medications that work on the serotonin system.
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Last modified August 12, 1997