Prescription medication · Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA)
protriptyline
Also sold as Vivactil. Protriptyline is used to treat symptoms of mental depression.
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 96
- FDA reportsRarely reported
- 1
- InteractionFew interactions
- $2.44
- Generic price (NADAC)
What the data shows
protriptyline (Vivactil) is a prescription Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA), among the least-reported drugs the FDA tracks (96 FDA reports), with 1 documented drug interaction.
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
protriptyline (Vivactil) is a prescription Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA). Protriptyline is used to treat symptoms of mental depression.
Protriptyline (Vivactil) is a medicine used to treat depression. It can help improve mood and energy levels in adults under close medical supervision.
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$2.44/unit
Generic Available
Yes (2 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Protriptyline is used to treat symptoms of mental depression.
Common side effects
No common side effects listed.
Key warnings
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teenagers, and young adults.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from protriptyline's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
Protriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant. It works by affecting certain natural chemicals in the brain. These chemicals help regulate mood.
How to Take It
Take protriptyline exactly as your doctor tells you. The usual adult dose is 15 to 40 mg per day, divided into 3 or 4 doses. Your doctor may increase the dose to 60 mg per day if needed. It is best to take any increased doses in the morning.
This is a plain-language summary of protriptyline's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. It is not known if protriptyline will harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
This is a plain-language summary of protriptyline's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
This is a plain-language summary of protriptyline's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.
Storage
Store protriptyline at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F in a tightly closed container.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 96 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for protriptyline, by number of reports
- Falling
Falling
12 reports
- Stopped taking the product
Stopped taking the product
8 reports
- Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea
8 reports
- Anxiety
Anxiety
7 reports
- Depression
Depression
6 reports
- Dizziness
Dizziness
6 reports
- Increased blood pressure
Increased blood pressure
5 reports
- COVID-19
COVID-19
5 reports
- High blood pressure
High blood pressure
5 reports
- Illness
Illness
5 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for protriptyline each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where protriptyline sits
protriptyline has more FDA adverse-event reports than 1% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is protriptyline; the line is the median (50th percentile).
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 96 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2012–2025.
Total Reports
96
Hospitalization Reports
24
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FALL | 12 |
| 3 | PRODUCT ADMINISTRATION INTERRUPTED | 8 |
| 4 | SLEEP APNOEA SYNDROME | 8 |
| 5 | ANXIETY | 7 |
| 7 | DEPRESSION | 6 |
| 8 | DIZZINESS | 6 |
| 9 | BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED | 5 |
| 10 | COVID-19 | 5 |
| 11 | HYPERTENSION | 5 |
| 12 | ILLNESS | 5 |
| 13 | WEIGHT INCREASED | 5 |
| 14 | ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT | 4 |
| 15 | DYSPNOEA | 4 |
| 16 | FATIGUE | 4 |
| 17 | GAIT DISTURBANCE | 4 |
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teenagers, and young adults. Your doctor will closely monitor you for worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should also watch for these changes. Protriptyline is not approved for use in children.
Known Drug Interactions
7.2 Tricyclic Antidepressants Co-administration of norepinephrine bitartrate with tricyclic antidepressants (including amitriptyline, nortriptyline, protriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, imipramine) can cause severe, prolonged hypertension.
Mechanism: Protriptyline increases the blood-pressure-raising effects of norepinephrine, making them more intense and harder to control.
What to do: Monitor blood pressure constantly if these two drugs must be used at the same time.
This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.
Common Questions
Can I stop taking protriptyline suddenly?
How long does it take for protriptyline to work?
Can I drink alcohol while taking protriptyline?
What should I tell my doctor before starting protriptyline?
Can protriptyline cause dry mouth?
Will protriptyline make me sleepy?
Can protriptyline affect my heart?
What if I think I'm experiencing a serious side effect?
Is it safe to take protriptyline with other medications?
How will I know if the medication is working?
Does protriptyline interact with other medications?
What drug class is protriptyline?
Is protriptyline safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA)
Other drugs grouped near protriptyline - same-class peers and common alternatives.
acamprosate
Campral
Acamprosate is a medicine that can help you stay away from alcohol if you are alcohol-dependent and have already stopped drinking.
Compare with protriptyline →
alprazolam
Xanax
Alprazolam (Xanax) is a medication that can help you with anxiety and panic disorders.
Compare with protriptyline →
amitriptyline
Elavil
Amitriptyline is a medicine used to treat depression.
Compare with protriptyline →
amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
Adderall, Adderall XR
Adderall XR is a stimulant medicine.
Compare with protriptyline →
aripiprazole
Abilify
Aripiprazole (Abilify) is a medicine used to treat certain mental disorders and mood problems.
Compare with protriptyline →
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for protriptyline
The FDA label for protriptyline (sold under brand names such as Vivactil) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA) class. Protriptyline is used to treat symptoms of mental depression. Labeling covers dosing, contraindications, and monitoring requirements derived from clinical trials.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 96 voluntary reports. The database also lists 1 documented drug interaction derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $2.44.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: January 10, 2023
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages