Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: NORTRIPTYLINE HYDROCHLORIDE versus SURMONTIL.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: NORTRIPTYLINE HYDROCHLORIDE versus SURMONTIL.
NORTRIPTYLINE HYDROCHLORIDE vs SURMONTIL
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant that inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin at the presynaptic neuronal membrane, increasing their concentrations in the synaptic cleft. It also has anticholinergic, antihistaminic, and alpha-adrenergic blocking properties.
Tricyclic antidepressant that inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin, with anticholinergic, antihistaminergic, and alpha-adrenergic blocking properties.
25 mg orally three times daily or 75 mg orally once daily at bedtime; initial dose 25 mg at bedtime, titrate up to 75-150 mg/day.
50-75 mg/day orally in divided doses, increase gradually to 150-300 mg/day. Maximum 300 mg/day. Single bedtime dose may be used for maintenance (50-150 mg).
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life 18-56 hours (mean 28 hours); steady-state reached in 5-7 days.
11-27 hours (mean approximately 20 hours) for the parent drug; the active metabolite desmethyltrimipramine has a half-life of 15-30 hours. Steady-state is achieved within 5-7 days.
Primarily renal (70% as metabolites, <5% unchanged) and fecal (30% via biliary elimination).
Renal excretion of metabolites accounts for approximately 70-80% of elimination, with about 20-30% excreted in feces via biliary elimination. Unchanged drug in urine is less than 5%.
Category C
Category C
Tricyclic Antidepressant
Tricyclic Antidepressant