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I have a question about meds. My husband has been taking Nortriptyline for years, Monday he went to doctor and got refills on his drugs, I notice instead of Nortriptyline he had put down Elavil instead. My question is are they the same? just different name brands or close to it. when I picked up the meds and got home I notice they had filled both of them. The Nortriptyline from a refill on a old one. I'm almost sure he shouldn't take both.
Nortriptyline is the generic form of Pamelor; Amitriptyline is the generic form of Elavil. Both are tricyclic antidepressants. You're right; he probably shouldn't take both. Make sure he calls the doctor ASAP tomorrow morning. I'm surprised the pharmacist filled both and didn't say anything.
JasmineRain2008-06-08 17:01:50Thanks Jasmine, That what I was thinking, We started at a new drug store in Jan. because the old one kept messin up. They know all of our meds. they have all been filled there. I'm not going to give him both. they do the auto refills sometimes and I've told them it don't work for us. but they did it again. Between us we take 23 drugs and I have to keep track of all of them because husband is not able. By the time I fight with Doctors, drug stores and hospital....I am sick REAL SICK OF IT ALL. what I wouldn't give for just one week of trouble free, no worrys..... like thats going to happen. thanks again have a great day.
It is possible that he might be taking both for some reason. Amitryptaline is rather sedating and might be used at night while Nortryptaline is more suitable to being used during the day. Only the doctor can answer to that. He probably shouldn't be abruptly switching either--usually you taper off the old anti-depressant and than taper up to a new dose of a different one to see how it is tolerated.
mab522008-06-08 17:35:21Tricyclic polypharmacy is almost never done these days. My money is on a mix-up.
Is amitryptaline also for anxiety? I saw a bottle of this in my daughter's room today when she asked mt to look in on her hamster because she has been gone since Thursday. Apparently without her prescrip she is supposed to be taking nightly too. She has anxiety problems but doctors always put her on antidepressants.Yikes. I would not take that combo. I think the doctor made a mistake.
[QUOTE=wanttobeRAfree]Is amitryptaline also for anxiety? I saw a bottle of this in my daughter's room today when she asked mt to look in on her hamster because she has been gone since Thursday. Apparently without her prescrip she is supposed to be taking nightly too. She has anxiety problems but doctors always put her on antidepressants.[/QUOTE]
tricyclic antidepressants are sometimes used for anxiety and panic disorders. They are not addicting like the benzodiazepines (xanax, valium, etc).
[QUOTE=JasmineRain]Tricyclic polypharmacy is almost never done these days. My money is on a mix-up.
[/QUOTE]
I agree, but given that a pharmacist filled it leads me to believe that there is a reason. I had multiple amitryptaline refills only a couple of weeks ago and I was asked about it even though the doses were small. A pharmacist would be calling the doctor's office to verify this if for no other reason than to prevent serotonin syndrome. We don't know the dosage so it's up to the doctor to take the hot seat for now.
Hi you all thanks for help....Here's what I'm thinking, I went in to pick up the Nortriptyline that is 10mg. one at bedtime. and they told me that they were waiting on the doctor to call back and I said he has a appointment tomorrow I'll just get a new presripition, they said ok. next day the doctor went over everything with us and wrote a the presripition for the Elavil (amitriptyline) and I took it by drug store to get it filled they told me they were still waiting on the doctor to refill nortriptyline and I ask about the two drugs being for the same thing and she went back and asked the phamsicist and come back and said yes. I went and picked it up next day and both was filled. So nurse must have looked at chart and ok it.
It kind of upsets me because I know there are a lot of old people out there who cannot take care of their meds and just takes what they are given. I know my husband just does what they tell him, he never thinks to ask. He no longer reads or understands. I can get pretty mad at them because once you get over 65 they treat you like you don't know what your talking about, they just don't care. I know he's been throwing up and in and out of hospital over last 2 years and they couldn't find out a cause besides ulcers) well after last time and him, haveing to get 3 units of blood, then he got sick 5 weeks later and back for more blood, I told them he couldn't keep going like this that something had to be done. they said they didn't know what they could do that they had run every test. them I seen an ad on TV for celebex. I went to the doctor and said can it be the celebrex and it was like a light went off, he said yes. they have took him off of it and treating the ulcers. he hasn't throw up since, he's got a long ways to go, but a lot better.....but I ask, why 6 doctors couldn't come up with the celebrex that he had been on since the recall of the meds he was on. I'm just tired of fighting with them. it was just in Jan. that I was fighting with the insurance to get celebrex covered...LOL Celebrex has cause bleeding ulcers all the way down his esphagus and his stomach, going to be a long time healing....sorry this is so long just needed to vent...
rusty2008-06-08 20:58:22Oh my - I'm so sorry you have to deal with all that, and RA to boot. That really sucks. Definitely talk to his doc about the two tricyclics; especially in elderly people, tricyclics can be bad news.
I am sorry, rusty. I hope your husbands healing is a qiuck one.
Much hugs to you.
You really have to have someone look out for you today...good thing your husband has you!
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