Nortriptyline is
in the class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants.
Nortriptyline treats depression by raising the level
of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine.
In addition to treating depression, nortriptyline can
be used to treat neuropathic pain which is caused by
prostate cancer chemotherapy. Prostate cancer patients
who must undergo chemotherapy may experience side effects
of the nervous system that result in neuropathic pain.
Neuropathic pain is difficult to treat; even the most
powerful pain killers are usually ineffective. Researchers
are not yet sure why tricyclic antidepressants have
shown effectiveness in decreasing neuropathic pain;
however, drugs like nortriptyline have been effective
for neurological side effects of prostate cancer chemotherapy.
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