Patient/caregiver was instructed upon nortriptyline and mechanism of action as follows:
- Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that are synthesized in the brain and spinal cord. These chemicals are released at nerve endings, into the junction between two nerve cells and help the nerve cells to communicate with each other.
- These chemicals can have multiple roles and functions in the body. Serotonin is one such chemical considered to reduce anxiety and promote happiness and well-being. Noradrenaline is another chemical in the brain considered to increase alertness, promote vigilance, enhance memory and attention.
- Nortriptyline is an antidepressant medication used to treat mood disorders, such as, major depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.
- It is believed that nortriptyline works by increasing the serotonin and noradrenaline concentrations and enhancing their actions at the junction between nerve cells.
- Promotion of actions of serotonin and noradrenaline in the nervous system helps with contributing to increased alertness, enhanced memory & attention, and promotion of feelings of well-being, contentment, and happiness. This leads to relief from anxiety and control of depression symptoms.
