Amitriptyline

pronounced as (a mee trip' ti leen)

Brand Name(s): Amitid®, Amitril®, Elavil®, Endep®, Duo-Vil®(as a combination product containing Amitriptyline, Perphenazine) ¶, Etrafon®(as a combination product containing Amitriptyline, Perphenazine) ¶, Limbitrol®(as a combination product containing Amitriptyline, Chlordiazepoxide) ¶, Triavil®(as a combination product containing Amitriptyline, Perphenazine) ¶, also available generically

Why is this medicine prescribed?

Amitriptyline is used to treat symptoms of depression. Amitriptyline is in a class of medications called tricyclic antidepressants. It works by increasing the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain that are needed to maintain mental balance.

Are there other uses for this medicine?

Amitriptyline is also used to treat eating disorders, post-herpetic neuralgia (the burning, stabbing pains, or aches that may last for months or years after a shingles infection), and to prevent migraine headaches. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medicine be used?

Amitriptyline comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken one to four times a day. Take amitriptyline at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take amitriptyline exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of amitriptyline and gradually increase your dose.

It may take a few weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of amitriptyline. Continue to take amitriptyline even if you feel well. Do not stop taking amitriptyline without talking to your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking amitriptyline, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, headache, and lack of energy. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking amitriptyline,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to amitriptyline or any other medications.
  • Some medications should not be taken with amitriptyline. Other medications may cause dosing changes or extra monitoring when taken with amitriptyline. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before starting amitriptyline with your doctor and pharmacist. Before starting, stopping, or changing any medications while taking amitriptyline, please get the advice of your doctor or pharmacist..
  • Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the following medications or have stopped taking them within the past two weeks: monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).
  • The following nonprescription products may interact with amitriptyline: allergy medications (diphenhydramine, loratadine, fexofenadine, chlorpheniramine or cetirizine); cimetidine (Tagamet). Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start taking amitriptyline. Do not start any of these medications while taking amitriptyline without discussing with your healthcare provider..
  • tell your doctor if you have recently had a heart attack. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take amitriptyline.
  • tell your doctor if you drink large amounts of alcohol and if you have or have ever had glaucoma (an eye condition); an enlarged prostate (a male reproductive gland); difficulty urinating; seizures; an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism); diabetes; schizophrenia (a mental illness that causes disturbed or unusual thinking, loss of interest in life, and strong or inappropriate emotions); or liver, kidney, or heart disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking amitriptyline, call your doctor. Do not breast-feed while you are taking amitriptyline.
  • you should know that amitriptyline may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
  • talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medication if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not usually take amitriptyline because it is not as safe or effective as other medication(s) that can be used to treat the same condition.
  • if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking amitriptyline.
  • remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do if I forget to take a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What should I do in case of overdose?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help . If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

  • irregular heartbeat
  • seizures
  • coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time)
  • confusion
  • problems concentrating
  • hallucinating (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
  • agitation
  • drowsiness
  • rigid muscles
  • vomiting
  • fever
  • cold body temperature

What side effects can this medicine cause?

Amitriptyline may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • drowsiness
  • weakness or tiredness
  • nightmares
  • headaches
  • dry mouth
  • constipation
  • difficulty urinating
  • blurred vision
  • pain, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
  • changes in sex drive or ability
  • excessive sweating
  • changes in appetite or weight
  • confusion
  • unsteadiness

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

  • slow or difficult speech
  • dizziness or faintness
  • weakness or numbness of an arm or a leg
  • crushing chest pain
  • rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
  • severe skin rash or hives
  • swelling of the face and tongue
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes
  • jaw, neck, and back muscle spasms
  • uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
  • fainting
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • seizures
  • hallucinating (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)

Amitriptyline may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online ( http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch ) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website ( http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p ) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to amitriptyline.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

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