General Information Protriptyline belongs to a class of drugs known as tricyclic antidepressants. It is thought to work by increasing the concentrations of neurotransmitters called serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. Tricyclic antidepressants are usually taken over long periods. It takes weeks for steady levels of protriptyline to build up in the blood, and it may take up to a month for the drug to have an effect on depression.
Protriptyline is available as tablets for oral administration.
To prevent side effects, the dosage of the drug should initially be low and increased as necessary until improvement, as long as there are no serious side effects. The recommended initial dosage for treatment of depression in adults is 15 to 40 mg a day, divided into three or four doses. When satisfactory improvement has been reached, the dosage should be reduced to the smallest amount that will maintain relief of the symptoms. Cautions and Warnings Protriptyline should not be used by anyone with a known allergy to it. It should also not be used by people recovering from heart attacks.