Amitriptyline vs Nortriptyline Dry Mouth
 

I've been on Amitriptyline on and off for over 15 years. But suddenly for the last 4 months I've had horrible dry mouth. It is causing chronic mouth infections for me. I'm considering switching to Nortriptyline to see if the dry mouth effects aren't as severe.

Does anyone have experience with taking both of these meds and was the Nortriptyline less severe as far as side effects?

I love my Amitriptyline but this dry mouth has to go.

Xerostomia (dry mouth) is a common side effect of both medications. It seems odd that you would suddenly develop this side effect after taking it for so long; has something else changed (dosage, starting/stopping another med or supplement, change in diet or routine -- anything?) that might explain it?

Doc

As we age, we may become intolerant to anticholinergic drugs.

We become more sensitive to their effects. Both drugs have this side effect.
With dry eyes/mouth issues, this tends to come with age too.
So when you add them together... it becomes a new "side effect".
Nortriptyline is the active metabolite of amitriptyline...so I would expect some of the same effects. I'd discuss with the doctor, and see if a dose reduction may work still. Also this side effect would be additive with Benadryl and other OTC first generation antihistamines, like Chlortimeton and Unisom. Other OTC drugs like Imodium may be additive too.

It is also possible you are developing Sjogren's syndrome which is an autoimmune disease affecting moisture producing cells in the eye and mouth.