desipramine vs nortriptyline
PlainMeds reviewed this comparison against our methodology in August 2026. It places FDA and CMS record fields side by side, without recommending either medication.
Side-by-side comparison of desipramine and nortriptyline. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Norpramin
Pamelor
Desipramine is a medicine used to treat depression. It belongs to a class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants.
Nortriptyline (Pamelor) is a medicine used to treat depression. It can help improve your mood.
Desipramine is used to treat depression. Depression can cause feelings of sadness, loss of interest, and trouble functioning in daily life. This medicine can help improve your mood and overall well-being.
Nortriptyline is used to relieve the symptoms of depression. It may work better for some types of depression than others. Talk to your doctor to see if nortriptyline is right for you.
Desipramine works by affecting certain chemicals in the brain. It helps to increase the levels of norepinephrine. This can improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.
Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). It works by increasing the levels of certain natural chemicals in the brain. These chemicals help regulate mood.
- • Drowsiness
- • Dizziness
- • Dry mouth
- • Constipation
- • Blurred vision
- • Dry mouth
- • Blurred vision
- • Constipation
- • Drowsiness
- • Dizziness
- Fatigue 119
- Completed Suicide 116
- Nausea 77
- Headache 70
- Weight Increased 68
- Pain 695
- Headache 679
- Fatigue 593
- Nausea 513
- Hyperhidrosis 485
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teens, and young adults. Watch for worsening depression, unusual behavior, or thoughts of suicide. Desipramine is not approved for use in children.
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teenagers, and young adults. Your doctor will monitor you closely for worsening depression or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should also watch for these changes.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Desipramine may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medicine while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Nortriptyline may not be safe for your baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.
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How to Read This desipramine vs nortriptyline Comparison
desipramine is classified in the Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA) drug class, while nortriptyline sits within the Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory, but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, desipramine has 450 submissions while nortriptyline has 2,965. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for desipramine or nortriptyline.
Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.