PROTRIPTYLINE
Drug Treatments for Facial Neuralgias

Disclaimer.

Formal information

Known trade names include Triptyl  

A tricyclic antidepressant.

Although this medication is used successfully to treat depression, it is also used to treat neuropathic pain and oftentimes, the dosage for this medication is much lower than that used for depression.

Dosage
Dosage can start as low as 10 mg/day in divided doses.  It is increased gradually until there is no decrease in pain levels.  The minimal dosage that has the best effect on the pain level is  then continued.  

Side-effects

Some of the following side-effects are not serious. However, tell your doctor if these bother you or do not go away:

drowsiness or dizziness; dry mouth and eyes; constipation; mild tremor; sweating; mild agitation, weakness, or headache; ringing in the ears; nausea; or loss of weight or appetite

Call your doctor immediately or seek emergency treatment if you experience any of the following serious side-effects:

an allergic reaction (swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; difficulty breathing); seizures; a fast or irregular heartbeat;a heart attack; high blood pressure (blurred vision, severe headache); difficulty urinating; or fever with increased sweating, muscle stiffness, or severe muscle weakness.

Also tell your doctor if you have any other side-effects or if your have side effects after you stop taking this medicine.

For a more official medical description see

  IMH Monograph:  Protriptyline