What is the difference between Nortriptyline Hydrochloride and Trimipramine Maleate?

Nortriptyline Hydrochloride and Trimipramine Maleate are both Tricyclic Antidepressants, so they work through the same broad mechanism. They differ in dosing, half-life, side-effect frequency, and how individual patients tolerate them. See the head-to-head sections below for the specifics.

Can Nortriptyline Hydrochloride and Trimipramine Maleate be used for the same conditions?

Both medications are prescribed for overlapping indications including See full prescribing information. Always verify with your prescriber and the current FDA label before switching.

Is Nortriptyline Hydrochloride the same as Trimipramine Maleate?

No. Nortriptyline Hydrochloride (Nortriptyline Hydrochloride) and Trimipramine Maleate (Trimipramine Maleate) are distinct medications. They are sometimes confused because of similar branding or because they treat overlapping conditions, but they have different active ingredients and different safety profiles.

Which has fewer side effects, Nortriptyline Hydrochloride or Trimipramine Maleate?

Side-effect frequency varies by individual. The side-effect comparison section on this page shows FAERS-reported events for each drug side by side. FAERS is voluntary reporting, so it reflects what patients and clinicians chose to report, not absolute population risk.

Can I switch from Nortriptyline Hydrochloride to Trimipramine Maleate?

Switching medications should always be done under prescriber supervision. The "patient stories" section on this page includes accounts from people who have made the switch and what their transition felt like, but those are individual experiences, not protocols.

Nortriptyline Hydrochloride vs Trimipramine Maleate

Compare Nortriptyline Hydrochloride (Nortriptyline Hydrochloride) and Trimipramine Maleate (Trimipramine Maleate), clinical data, side effects, and patient experiences.

Nortriptyline Hydrochloride

Nortriptyline Hydrochloride · Tricyclic Antidepressant

How it works

Other agent

Approved for

See full prescribing information

OralTablet

Trimipramine Maleate

Trimipramine Maleate · Tricyclic Antidepressant

How it works

Other agent

Approved for

trimipramine and imipramine were equally effective in relieving depression.

OralTablet

Quick Comparison

Nortriptyline HydrochlorideTrimipramine Maleate

Drug Class

Tricyclic Antidepressant

Route

Oral

Half-Life

N/A

FDA Approved

N/A

Side Effect Frequency Comparison

Estimated frequency (%) based on clinical trial data

Side Effects

Nortriptyline Hydrochloride

Drug Not Working

>10%

Headache

1-10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Nausea

1-10%

Excessive Sweating

1-10%

High Blood Pressure

1-10%

Constipation

1-10%

Back Pain

0.1-1%

Trimipramine Maleate

Fatigue

1-10%

Depression

1-10%

Falls

1-10%

Nausea

1-10%

Vomiting

1-10%

Dizziness

1-10%

Diarrhea

0.1-1%

Shortness of Breath

0.1-1%

FDA Warnings

Nortriptyline Hydrochloride

Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders
Anyone considering the use of nortriptyline hydrochloride capsules or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need
Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older
Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide

Trimipramine Maleate

Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders
Anyone considering the use of trimipramine maleate or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need
Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older
Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide

Clinical Trial Data

No head-to-head clinical studies found for Nortriptyline Hydrochloride vs Trimipramine Maleate.

Nortriptyline Hydrochloride vs Trimipramine Maleate: What You Should Know

Key Differences

Both Nortriptyline Hydrochloride and Trimipramine Maleate belong to the Tricyclic Antidepressant class. While they share a similar mechanism of action, differences in pharmacokinetics, dosing, and side effect profiles may make one more suitable than the other for individual patients.

Safety Considerations

Nortriptyline Hydrochloride carries 4 FDA warnings. Trimipramine Maleate carries 4 FDA warnings. Patients should discuss all warnings and contraindications with their healthcare provider before starting or switching medications..

This comparison is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Related Comparisons

Doxepin vs Nortriptyline Hydrochloride→Amitriptyline Hydrochloride vs Nortriptyline Hydrochloride→Doxepin Hydrochloride vs Nortriptyline Hydrochloride→Imipramine Hydrochloride vs Nortriptyline Hydrochloride→Clomipramine Hydrochloride vs Nortriptyline Hydrochloride→Doxepin Hcl vs Nortriptyline Hydrochloride→

Primary sources

Every figure on this comparison links back to its primary source. See data sources and methodology for the full provenance trail.

Nortriptyline Hydrochloride: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov
Trimipramine Maleate: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov

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Nortriptyline Hydrochloride vs Trimipramine Maleate

Compare Nortriptyline Hydrochloride (Nortriptyline Hydrochloride) and Trimipramine Maleate (Trimipramine Maleate), clinical data, side effects, and patient experiences.

Nortriptyline Hydrochloride

Nortriptyline Hydrochloride · Tricyclic Antidepressant

How it works

Other agent

Approved for

See full prescribing information

OralTablet

Trimipramine Maleate

Trimipramine Maleate · Tricyclic Antidepressant

How it works

Other agent

Approved for

trimipramine and imipramine were equally effective in relieving depression.

OralTablet

Quick Comparison

Nortriptyline HydrochlorideTrimipramine Maleate

Drug Class

Tricyclic Antidepressant

Route

Oral

Half-Life

N/A

FDA Approved

N/A

Side Effect Frequency Comparison

Estimated frequency (%) based on clinical trial data

Side Effects

Nortriptyline Hydrochloride

Drug Not Working

>10%

Headache

1-10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Nausea

1-10%

Excessive Sweating

1-10%

High Blood Pressure

1-10%

Constipation

1-10%

Back Pain

0.1-1%

Trimipramine Maleate

Fatigue

1-10%

Depression

1-10%

Falls

1-10%

Nausea

1-10%

Vomiting

1-10%

Dizziness

1-10%

Diarrhea

0.1-1%

Shortness of Breath

0.1-1%

FDA Warnings

Nortriptyline Hydrochloride

Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders
Anyone considering the use of nortriptyline hydrochloride capsules or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need
Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older
Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide

Trimipramine Maleate

Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders
Anyone considering the use of trimipramine maleate or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need
Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older
Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide

Clinical Trial Data

No head-to-head clinical studies found for Nortriptyline Hydrochloride vs Trimipramine Maleate.

Nortriptyline Hydrochloride vs Trimipramine Maleate: What You Should Know

Key Differences

Safety Considerations

This comparison is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Primary sources

Every figure on this comparison links back to its primary source. See data sources and methodology for the full provenance trail.

Nortriptyline Hydrochloride: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov
Trimipramine Maleate: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov