Amitriptyline

Drug Name

Amitriptyline

Drug Uses

Amitriptyline is used for treating depression. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

How Taken

Use Amitriptyline as directed by your doctor.

• Amitriptyline may be taken with food or on an empty stomach.
• Avoid eating or drinking grapefruit juice while taking Amitriptyline.
• Amitriptyline may take up to 30 days to control symptoms of depression. Continue to use Amitriptyline even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant. How tricyclic antidepressants improve depression symptoms is not fully understood. They are thought to increase the activity of certain chemicals in the brain (norepinephrine, serotonin), which help improve mood.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Amitriptyline and are using it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Storage

Store Amitriptyline between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Amitriptyline out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Warnings/Precautions

Do not use Amitriptyline if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Amitriptyline;
• you are currently taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (e.g., phenelzine, selegiline) within the last 14 days;
• you are taking antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), cisapride, droperidol, a ketolide (e.g., telithromycin) , a macrolide (e.g., erythromycin), mibefradil, or pimozide;
• you are recovering from a heart attack.

• Amitriptyline may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Amitriptyline . Using Amitriptyline alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other medicines that cause drowsiness (e.g., sedatives, tranquilizers) while taking Amitriptyline. Amitriptyline will add to the effects of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants.
• Amitriptyline may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Involuntary and uncontrollable movements may develop in patients taking Amitriptyline . Occurrence is highest among the elderly, especially women. The risk of developing these involuntary movements and the likelihood they will become permanent are increased with long-term use and with high doses. However, it is possible to develop these symptoms after short-term use at low doses. Contact your health care provider at once if any of the following occur: involuntary movements of the tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (e.g., protrusion of tongue, puffing of cheeks, puckering of mouth, chewing movements), sometimes accompanied by involuntary movements of the arms and legs.
• Do not become overheated in hot weather or during exercise or other activities since heatstroke may occur.
• Children, teenagers, and young adults who take Amitriptyline may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions. Watch all patients who take Amitriptyline closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Amitriptyline has been shown to cause harm to the human fetus. If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Amitriptyline during pregnancy. Amitriptyline is excreted in the breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Amitriptyline.

Possible Side Effects

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

• blurred vision; change in sexual desire or ability; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; tiredness; trouble sleeping; weakness.

• severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; confusion; dark urine; delusions; difficulty speaking or swallowing; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; hallucinations; new or worsening agitation, anxiety, panic attacks, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, irritability, hostility, exaggerated feeling of well-being, restlessness, or inability to sit still; numbness or tingling in an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness or headache; severe or persistent trouble sleeping; slurred speech; suicidal thoughts or actions; tremor; trouble urinating; uncontrolled muscle movements (e.g., of face, tongue, arms, legs); unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual or severe mental or mood changes; vision problems; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

More Information

If you have any questions about Amitriptyline, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Amitriptyline is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.