NeuroTalk Support Groups - Is nortryptiline less sedating than Amitryptiline ?

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- - Is nortryptiline less sedating than Amitryptiline ? (https://www.neurotalk.org/peripheral-neuropathy/211571-nortryptiline-sedating-amitryptiline.html)

Is nortryptiline less sedating than Amitryptiline ?

Does anyone have experience of these two medicine for alleviating neuropathic pain ? I have tried Amitryptiline but found that even 10mg made me very woozy. Is nortryptiline less likely to fog your brain ?

I am curious to know your experience .
All the best,
S xx

You have got to stick with it. The wooziness will fade after a few weeks and of course with it the effectiveness...

They are related chemically. Nortriptyline is the active metabolite of amitriptyline. "Nor" is just faster acting in the body by a couple of hours.

If you have a liver metabolic enzyme deficiency:

Quote:

Metabolism

Nortriptyline is metabolized in the liver by the hepatic enzyme CYP2D6. Approximately 7-10% of caucasians are poor metabolizers and might experience more adverse effects, so a lower dosage is often necessary in these individuals.[6] Blood levels of nortriptyline should be obtained during long term treatment to avoid toxicity and optimize response.

but....

Quote:

However, the incidence of side effects with nortriptyline is lower than with the first-generation tricyclics (e.g., imipramine (Tofranil), amitriptyline (Elavil)). For this reason it is often used in elder patients instead of other TCAs to reduce side effects and improving patient's compliance.

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nortriptyline