Depression is a mental illness that lasts for at least 14 days and is characterized by poor mood and disinterest in everyday activities. Lethargy, depression, self-neglect, and alterations in food and sleeping habits are other symptoms. Suicidal thoughts can occur under severe situations.

Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2015 to 2020 indicate that 10% of American↗ people experience the condition each year. Thankfully, depression may be properly treated and managed. The course of treatment consists of either medicine, therapy, or a mix of the two. This article will look at how Vivactil can be used to treat this condition.

Vivactil: What is it?

Protriptyline is its generic name, while Vivactil is its commercial name. The medication is still accessible in generic form, although the brand name Vivactil has been discontinued. It belongs to the family of medications known as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). The medication prevents the brain from reabsorbing serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmitters. It prevents the neurotransmitters that control mood and emotions, such as dopamine and serotonin, from being reabsorbed.

Vivactil is excreted from the body through urine after a half-life of around 54 to 92 hours. Protriptyline is an FDA-approved drug, although it is not advised as a first-line therapy for depression. To learn more about the potentially serious side effects, one should speak with a doctor before taking it.

Various Uses of Vivactil

Vivactil is used to treat mental health conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression. Because it doesn’t have the sedative effects of most TACs, the drug is also used to treat narcolepsy, headaches, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Protriptyline is sometimes used to treat eating problems and enuresis.

Dosage of Vivactil

Oral pills containing 5 mg and 10 mg of protriptyline are available. Ten milligrams is the minimal dosage that was initially prescribed. The dosage is administered in three to four split dosages each day, increasing progressively from 15 mg to 40 mg. The recommended daily dosage of protriptyline is no more than 60 mg.

It takes around four weeks for the drug to start working as intended. To prevent serious side effects, a patient should follow their doctor’s instructions.

Side Effects of Vivactil

Only when all other antidepressants have failed is Vivactil recommended due to its serious negative effects. Among the adverse consequences are:

• Effects on the heart. Like the majority of TCAs, Vivactil may raise your risk of cardiac problems like:
  • Arrhythmias.
  • Heart block
  • Hypotension in orthostatic conditions
  • reflex palpitations and tachycardia
  • stroke
• impacts on the central nervous system and sexuality, including:
  • fatigue, lightheadedness, or blurred vision
  • headache
  • Fatigue
  • tingling sensations or numbness
  • Inadequate coordination
  • Tremors or seizures
  • overall weakening of the body
  • Reduced libido
  • Having trouble orgasming
  • Impotence
• Discomforts in the stomach like:
  • cramping in the abdomen
  • The eating disorder known as anorexia
  • A tongue that is black
  • Distress in the epigastrium
  • Feeling queasy
  • Throwing up
  • Gaining or losing weight
• Hypersensitive reactions, like:
  • Fever from drugs
  • Edema of the face, tongue, or general
  • Itching, rash, or hives
  • Photosensitization
• impacts on the mind.  The following mental disorders can result from using protriptyline:
  • Delusions
  • Hypomania
  • Agitation
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Sleep issues include nightmares or insomnia
  • Suicidal ideation

A patient should get medical help right away if they encounter any serious side effects. The doctor could recommend a different medication or change the dose of the therapy.

Precautions and Contraindications for Vivactil Medication

Patients should not use protriptyline if they have certain contraindications. Before using Vivactil, a person with any of the following conditions should consult a professional:

• Any blood abnormalities, such as anemia
• Bipolar disorder
• Irregularities or seizures
• Conditions of the heart
• Hepatitis
• Hyperthyroidism
• Schizophrenia
• Metabolic disorders

Symptoms of Vivactil Withdrawal

Protriptyline produces withdrawal symptoms, much like any other medicine. Among them are:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Feeling sleepy
• Weariness
• Overall malaise
• Inadequate coordination
• Issues with sleep, such insomnia
• Feeling queasy
• Throwing up

A patient should wean off of the medication according to the clinician’s directions for safety. Only with a doctor’s consent should the dose be changed or stopped. Abruptly stopping medication might result in severe withdrawal symptoms that call for expert assistance. For this reason, to acquire a safe withdrawal plan and prevent severe withdrawal symptoms, one may think about seeing a doctor.

In conclusion

The FDA-approved tricyclic antidepressant Vivactil is an effective therapy for depression. However, because Vivactil has serious adverse effects, doctors only prescribe it for depression after other antidepressants have failed. Patients should adhere to their doctor’s advice to avoid serious responses.

Because of its delayed effectiveness, Vivactil can be overused and, in the event that it is misused, can result in an overdose. A patient should only change their dosage with their doctor’s permission to prevent overdosing. The patient needs prompt professional assistance if they experience extreme unfavorable side effects or withdrawal symptoms.