Nortriptyline and Headaches: What Users Say

• Pai...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 9, 2014

For Pain "When I was 47, I was diagnosed with arthritis in my neck, which was triggering migraines and shoulder pain. Even 800 mg of Motrin didn't help. Nortriptyline was a miracle, and I am migraine-free. I tried going off of it about 4 times, and every time, I had headaches and shoulder pain the next day. I am so thankful for Nortriptyline because I can go to work and think clearly without a headache clouding my thoughts."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 30, 2012

Nortriptyline for Migraine Prevention "This is month 3 and the headaches I lived with for many years have vanished with a 30 mg dose every night. I sleep well. Dry mouth is tolerable and treated with an oral rinse. I never thought I could feel this good!"

• Nig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2016

For Pain "I took the first dose at night because my doctor said it may cause sleepiness. I woke up in the middle of the night with a terrible headache and insomnia. I decided to try a second night. This time, no headache, but still insomnia. Last night I took my tenth dose, and I am awake two hours after falling asleep, then having a horrible, horrible nightmare about sexual situations, being part of murders, and my son being kidnapped by a killer clown. I know that sounds dumb, but it was extremely realistic, and now I can't go back to sleep. I will call my doctor in a few hours to discuss tapering off and quitting this medication altogether. My pain has not been relieved at all (even if it had, I could continue with the insomnia and graphic nightmares)."

• Lar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I commented when I first started taking the medicine for migraines. 25 mg at night, most side effects are gone, and so are the migraines. If I get a headache, it is mild and goes away quickly with a coffee and a couple of ibuprofen. My heart rate is still a bit higher than before, but not too bad. I feel more confident, I can go on business trips and not worry about migraines. I’ve even had a beer and a glass of wine without problems. Try it if you’re getting lots of headaches, minor side effects are worth it. My doctor says that most people do very well on it."

• Sun...
• February 23, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I've been on this for 3 weeks now, and it helps so much. I used to have migraines that would last up to 3-4 days at a time, nonstop. Lately, I have only had 1 mild headache a week. Wish I was put on this years ago."

• 2dr...
• July 8, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I have a love/hate relationship with this drug. When I take it, I am headache-free, but if I forget to take it just one time, I have the worst headache imaginable the next day. Like a hangover headache with nausea and dizziness. It is worse than the headaches I had before I started taking the medication. I've also noticed my energy levels are way lower, and I am super constipated every day. The doctor did advise me about the constipation but not the lack of interest in doing things. I am super slow and have literally no energy to do anything. So I am not sure if it is related. I want to try to get off the medicine, but the doctor advises against this. I am not sure what to do."

• Pen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2019

For Pain "I was prescribed nortriptyline for chronic back pain after an injury. Unlike most here, I was given 5 mg at night, meant to go up to 10 mg after 5 days. I’m on day 5 and I’m stopping. Immediately I’ve experienced excessive sweating, dry mouth, slight weight gain, nausea, sadness, headaches, and the worst is the insomnia! I am not sleeping at all. I can see this going downhill and am getting married in a few weeks, so don’t need to be all messed up. Do your research, I wouldn’t recommend though."

• Ron...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "The first few months being on this drug, it did not work at all. Before taking the drug, I would get approximately a headache every other day and a migraine once a week. This continued a couple of months after starting the drug at 10 mg. Now, after being on it for 6 months, it is working wonders. I have only gotten 10 headaches in the past 90 days and 1 migraine."

• Mav...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 4, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I was put on one 10 mg Nortriptyline to see if it would help with severe bowel pain, it did seem to help a bit in that the pain stopped lasting the whole day. After a few weeks, it was increased to 15 grams and then to two 10 mg tablets, making it 20 mg. Unfortunately, it made me very constipated, and I had the worst headaches I've ever had in my life, including migraines that I suffered from for a couple of years. I have only been taking this drug for about 8 months, and I was really hoping it would help the severe bowel pain that I have daily. I have stopped taking the 20 mg and have gone back to trying just one tablet of 10 mg, which I really hope will help. Another thing the drug causes is the most horrible taste in my mouth when I wake up in the morning that is there every morning and is difficult to get rid of. I had big hopes for this drug. I do intend to try taking just 1 tablet of 10 mg to see if I get any relief taking that dose."

• Sum...
• July 29, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "I was going to the emergency room 3 times a week. They would give me a shot of Compazine and send me home. I would fall asleep, but when I woke up, the headache would come back. These were the worst headaches I've ever had, and nothing, even Imitrex, wouldn't help. After I was on Nortriptyline for 3 days, my headaches became manageable with Excedrin. I now rarely have headaches. My doctor has increased my dosage once."

• Spi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2019

For Depression "Felt horrible on nortriptyline during the 5 weeks I took it and never took more than 25 mg. Had depression, anxiety, fatigue, dizziness, and it sent my BP up. I tapered off, and I am day 16 off of it. My headaches are horrible. Does anything help with these side effects? I’ve been to the doctor twice this week, and he says it’s out of my system."

• min...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "Switched from amitriptyline to nortriptyline because I was told the side effects were less severe. My vision was already altered because of amitriptyline, so I am unsure if nortriptyline contributes. The side effects of hostility and aggression have lessened. However, the sweating is still constant. Sleeping is okay, just have a hard time falling asleep. The overall experience outweighs the headaches. I am thankful my migraines and daily headaches have lessened."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2021

For Neuralgia "40-year-old female, had head trauma after an incident with my ceiling fan one evening making the upper bunk of my daughter's bed. Felt like being hit with a concrete block. Over a year later, I’ve had pain in my left shoulder, neck, and arm. Neuropathy in my fingers. Headaches on the back of my head. Saw a neurologist and he started me on 10 mg. It's been only a week and most of the pain is gone. Sleep not so good, but no pain."

• Atc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2025

For Panic Disorder "This drug pulled me out of a two-year anxiety cycle. It’s great! I tried at least six other drugs to stop the panic and a bunch of natural ways, and nothing helped. This is the only drug that worked for me other than a benzo. At first, I didn’t have much faith in taking it. But then I noticed starting at 10 mg that I was having to take my panic benzo less and less and thought, hey, we might be on to something. My doctor gradually increased the nortriptyline to my current 50 mg dose. The side effects I have are dry mouth in the morning and some grogginess as well. Nothing compared to the panic attacks and anxiety dread every day for two years. Not only did it help my anxiety, it has helped with motivation. I just feel more motivated and happy to do things. I’m so glad that I’m feeling better, my life was hell. Oh, I also suffered from bad headaches daily, and the nortriptyline has gotten rid of them as well. 10/10 great medicine!!"

• Sva...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I was only able to try this drug for 3 days because I couldn’t handle the side effects. The dry mouth I could handle, but not the hot flash - I'd feel pressure and tightness around my body, then start sweating from my hands and feet. I also had insomnia from this! Could not sleep at all. Felt so awake throughout the night. The only reason why I'd end up falling asleep is because I’m so, so tired. But would still wake up in the middle of the night and feel awake. On one of the days, I woke up with a headache from this med. I wish it would’ve worked for me for my headaches, because I tried so many drugs already, but they never worked for me! (Tizanidine, baclofen, cyclobenzaprine). My doctor wants me to try venlafaxine next, but from reading the reviews I’m discouraged. This drug also wasn’t too pricy."

• bwi...
• January 2, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I've had a really bad headache for over 6 weeks now. On my right side. I say a because it is almost constant, day and night every day. Seldom have I had headaches my entire life. I'm now 60. After 4 visits to a doctor, the first one prescribed antibiotics saying I had a sinus infection - no help whatsoever, the second guy Midrin, same thing. I was prescribed nortriptyline at 25 mg once a day by my last visit with a new doctor. It has been 3 days, so not much change yet. I can put up with any or all the side effects mentioned if I get relief. I will repost in a week or 2, when hopefully it has kicked in. Scheduled for a CAT scan in 2 days... we'll see. Reading these posts has given me some hope."

• Goo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2022

For Neuralgia "I was in a car accident and ended up with 'occipital neuralgia,' painful headaches behind the eye. 10 mg nortriptyline helped me, and I am sensitive to meds, so I told the doctor to start me off at a low dose. I have been on this drug, 10 mg, for about 4 months, and it has helped my headaches, enhanced my healing, and I have been able to sleep. I give it a thumbs up. It worked for the short time I needed it."

• Oli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "I began Nortriptyline about one month ago and few side effects so far! I am thrilled to read several people's experiences have been mostly positive. I still have headaches, but nothing I need to run to urgent care for injection. I've taken Imitrex as needed for a couple of years, and it stopped working. I noticed lots of posts from people who work in healthcare, as I do, very stressful at times. I pray over time I will not have migraines. The anxiety of them popping up at work is awful. But these posts stating it works have me much more hopeful! Thanks all-"

• Sil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2016

Nortriptyline for Depression "Nortriptyline isn't a very good medication for chronic headaches. My neurologist put me on 25 mg, 2 tabs at bedtime. It's supposed to make you sleepy, however, it's quite the opposite. It keeps you awake and makes you very irritable, and you still have a headache and causes weight gain. Medication, especially."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "My doctor started me on nortriptyline at 10 mg, 1 x day to take at night, to prevent migraines and help with insomnia. He said I can increase by 10 mg each week until a max of 50 mg daily. The first 2 weeks, my insomnia was worse. I slept 2 hrs a night. I took the pill earlier in the day. By week 4, I was taking it at 5 pm and finally got 6-7 hrs of sleep. The first month, I noticed that even though I was sleep deprived, I woke up with energy as if I slept 8 hrs. My mood was more consistent, I felt happier, and things that usually got a rise out of me didn't. I loved these changes. But I am weaning off of it after 3 months. I suffered from mild headaches almost daily and migraines every 2 months, but after starting this, I now have migraines bi-weekly, daily moderate headaches with blurry vision lasting hrs, and constipation is horrible! Side effects are worse than the positives."

• tay...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 24, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I've had very intense migraines since I was 7 years old. Finally went to a neurologist last year and was given 10 mg. This medication changed my life. I missed school at least once a week because of my migraines, and now I get at most 2 a month. I try not to miss any because it's caused me to have a headache the following day. When I do get the occasional migraine, Excedrin also works wonders."

• ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Lots of drowsiness, feeling sick after taking the medicine, headaches didn't stop, for a lot of people here with migraines, head pressure, neck pain, nausea, weakness. Please check with your doctor to see if you have TMJ disorder, occipital neuralgia that can be the cause of all your problems. It's awful, I feel sick constantly because of the TMJ and occipital neuralgia. Hope this helps."

• ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Lots of drowsiness, feeling sick after taking the medicine, headaches didn't stop, for a lot of people here with migraines, head pressure, neck pain, nausea, weakness. Please check with your doctor to see if you have TMJ disorder, occipital neuralgia that can be the cause of all your problems. It's awful, I feel sick constantly because of the TMJ and occipital neuralgia. Hope this helps."

• Sta...
• February 17, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I had a horrible experience from this drug. The doc prescribed it for headaches, pain, and sleep. I am a college student on the Dean's list; high GPA... not now; I couldn't think, my headaches went from a 5 to a 12. I couldn't think or concentrate, I bombed exams (which I never have). The only upside was I slept well, but I took myself off (5 days now), and the withdrawal symptoms are awful, and I still am having memory problems. I'm just hoping this is not something permanent because it messed with my livelihood."

• Har...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 26, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "Hell to the nooo. Hell to the no, no, no! Took it for two nights, besides the other common side effects-fatigue, brain fog, etc. I had a level 10 migraine the day after my second dose, one of the worst ones I have ever had. Wasn’t informed that headaches are a side effect. Don’t even bother trying unless you want to spend your weekend in bed. The pharmacist said I could discontinue after being on it for a few days and wondered why I am trying all these old drugs with huge side effect profiles. I regret taking this, the half-life is extremely long, and I hope it is out of my system sooner than later."