I recently started Nortriptyline just 2 days ago. I was wondering how long it takes to start working. I took it about a month ago however the doctor stopped as he thought I was hypomanic (bipolar) - any ways I had 2 cups of Starbuchs before I saw him and was a bit wired. It seemed like the last time I took it it almost started immediately. Just wondering what everyone else has experienced and how long it too before it took effect
Nortriptyline - How long does it take to start working for panic / anxiety?
Question posted by Donovan#1 on 5 March 2012
Last updated on 28 May 2023
8 Answers
Lsk1971
2 Aug 2016
Hi Donovan. Was looking for an update from you and see how you're doing!
tplmc1964
23 June 2012
Hi Donovan#1. This may no longer be useful since I see your original post is from March, but perhaps the answer will help someone else. I started Pamelor (Nortriptyline) in the early 90's. I also have / had panic attack which lead to generalized anxiety and a debilitating life for years. I am 6'2 and at the time weighed about 185lbs. I don't know if this is a factor to consider or not. I felt no relief from this drug after 6 weeks with two of those weeks at 75mg. Dr. upped it to 100mg and it began to work but slowely. Others noticed before I did. At 8 weeks with 2 of them being at 100mg. I would rate my level of anxiety now a 4 on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the worst. The Dr. upped it again to 125 and for me? It was too much. My reaction time slowed, I had a "zombie" like feeling. I hated feeling like that even though I virtually had no anxiety or panic attacks at all.
Long story short, for me, the effective dose was 100mg once a day and I used 1mg of Kolonapin (sp?) split in half once a day, so .5 mg in the morning, same in early evening. So for me? It was close to 10 weeks for Pamelor to work. After years of this same routine, I began to build up a tolerence to K-Pin. I was now taking 2 mg's a day. I told my Dr. and I am being slowely brought off of it. Xanax is not the best idea because it has a shorter life and stops abruptly. K-pins are much longer lasting but I will caution anyone doing this routine, don't stay on either of those for very long. You will build up a tolerence it's medical fact. Then you're taking more and more and end up like me, now coming off of it which sucks. It is fine for the short term until Pamelor begins working and yes it can take even longer than 8 weeks. Keep in mind the lowest theraputic dose is 75mg. The highest is 150mg. Watch alcohol while on this, it intensifies and is dangerous to your respitory system. Do not ever take more than 150mg of Pamelor per day it can and will bring on cardiac poisoning. It is a lethal drug above 150mg's. I hope you're doing better now, Panic and GAD are horrible. If you've never experienced either or both? People have no clue how horrible it is and worse, to go on with your life like that. This may be an old school med, but personally speaking? They know it, they know how it works over time because of its history on the market. New meds may work faster? But if they're new? No one knows the long term side effects yet. I think this is a good drug of choice. My best long winded... but hopefully helpful.
Lynn 351
12 Sep 2018
I have been on 75 for almost a month and now on 100 for 5 days is there a chance it could still kick in
lenadriver
10 March 2012
Hi Donovan,
I took my second tablet of Nortriptyline last night and am wondering the same thing. I can be very sensitive to meds but is it possible that it started working from my very first pill? Yesterday was a pretty darn good day. It's been a while since I felt like that. I even voluntarily socialised and chose to make some social phone calls. Again, it's been a while since I have done that.
This morning I have woken up without my usual pain and stiffness and emotionally feeling super! I don't get major highs and lows; I have standard chronic depression, PTSD and an undiagnosed disorder that causes terrible bone pain, including constant headache, essential tremor & dystonia, so I feel very safe in saying this is not a 'swing' in my moods. I have been having suicidal thoughts for at least 2 months, so this is pretty huge for me. (Don't worry, I'm in hospital).
I'm kind of excited but also worrying that maybe it's just the initial intro to the medication. Still, if you can have a negative reaction to a new medication immediately, why can't we have positive ones too?
Good Luck!!!
BlueSky4u
28 May 2023
How are you doing now? Do you still think that the nortriptyline worked immediately? I have been on 50mg for five days. I am hoping it kicks in soon. Your post was encouraging to me.
granny50
7 March 2012
I tried it for about a week once year's ago. It started pretty fast. I hated the way it made my heart beat fast and hard. It freaked me out. If you have anxiety, leave the caffeine alone. It makes it worse.
sjzoey
7 March 2012
this is an older anti depression med use for alot of problems it takes only 4 weeks for thre drug to work in your system..Talk to your doc and tell doc everything... I take seroquel and prozac for almost 5 years ..I am bi polar after alot of med change the doc found the right meds and doses,talk to doc and be a part of the solution it takes time
madnickq
6 March 2012
Hi Donovan. I can personally say that this was drug # 9 for me in the past 10 months. I could not take anything else because of side effects. I have been on this drug since December 27, 2011 ... so about 2 and 1/2 months. I started out at 10mg and currently am on 30mg now. So far; so good. Before the medication; I was taking Ativan 0.5mg twice a day because of the panic attacks. I am down to half a tablet once a day. So I'm pretty much off of the Ativan which makes me very happy because I didn't want to become dependant on it. It is very very true that it takes time to build up in your system. I still have some panic attacks; but very minor. I can control them so much better now thanks to Nortriptyline. Nortriptyline has been a godsend for me and I hope it helps you. Give it time. It needs time to build up and has to be increased slowly. I have NO side effects from the medication except increased hunger. I will take that over the panic attacks any day !!! Good luck and God Bless you. Tiffany
subzero58
5 March 2012
hi donovon#1, when i took it,i dont anymore. my dr had to up my dose till it started to work.it took about 4-5 days..some people say they didn't like the way it made them feel.but our doc said give it time to build up in your system. you will know better hen anyone if its workin for ya.most of these kinds of meds take time.its not so much if you feel it working,its more if you feel like your working. you know what i mean.p.s. try to cut back on that high octain coffee :)
DzooBaby
5 March 2012
Some people can begin feeling the effects of these drugs right away but the full effect isnt felt until you have taken them for at least 4-6 weeks.
Related topics
bipolar disorder, anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, nortriptyline, doctor
Further information
- Nortriptyline uses and safety info
- Nortriptyline prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Nortriptyline (detailed)
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