Amitriptyline
About Amitriptyline
Amitriptyline is used to treat depression, neuropathic pain, chronic tension-type headaches, and migraine in adults. Additionally, Amitriptyline is also used to treat bedwetting at night in children aged 6 years and above. Depression is a mood disorder that affects a person's daily life, characterised by feelings of sadness, loss, or anger.
Amitriptyline is contained in Amitriptyline, which works by affecting certain chemical messengers (serotonin and norepinephrine) in the brain, which communicate between brain cells, thereby helping to regulate mood and prevent depression. Besides this, Amitriptyline also affects the transmission of pain signals, thereby providing relief from neuropathic pain.
You are advised to take Amitriptyline for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition and response to the treatment. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects such as sleepiness, drowsiness, headache, irregular heartbeat, dry mouth, constipation, nausea, weight gain, slurred or slow speech, and a congested nose. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Amitriptyline for as long as your doctor has prescribed. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Amitriptyline may cause drowsiness, sleepiness and dizziness; do not drive unless you are alert. Amitriptyline can be given to children over 6 years old if prescribed by the doctor for bedwetting. Amitriptyline should not be given to children for treating depression or neuropathic pain. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Amitriptyline as it could lead to increased drowsiness and dizziness. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines to rule out any side effects.
Uses of Amitriptyline
• Depression Treatment: Amitriptyline is used to treat major depressive disorder by balancing neurotransmitters in the brain, which helps improve mood and relieve depression symptoms.
• Chronic Pain Management: Amitriptyline is used to manage chronic pain, particularly neuropathic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia and diabetic neuropathy, by changing how the brain processes pain signals.
• Migraine Prophylaxis: Amitriptyline is prescribed as a preventive treatment for migraines, helping to stabilise mood and reduce headache frequency, making it easier to manage migraine symptoms.
Medicinal Benefits
Amitriptyline belongs to a group of medicines called tricyclic antidepressants. Amitriptyline is used to treat depression, neuropathic pain, chronic tension-type headaches, and migraine in adults. Amitriptyline is also used to treat bedwetting at night in children aged 6 years and above. Amitriptyline works by affecting certain chemical messengers (serotonin and/or norepinephrine) in the brain, which communicate between brain cells, thereby helping in regulating mood and treating depression. Amitriptyline prevents the transmission of pain signals, thereby providing relief from neuropathic pain.
Directions for Use
- Amitriptyline can be taken with or without food as advised by your doctor.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safe and effective use.
- Swallow Amitriptyline as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not break, crush or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Amitriptyline
- Sleepiness
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Irregular heartbeat
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Weight gain
- Slurred or slow speech
- Congested nose
Drug Warnings
Do not take Amitriptyline if you are allergic to any of its components, if you recently had a heart attack, or heart problems, are taking other antidepressants like isocarboxazid, phenelzine, selegiline, tranylcypromine or have taken them in the last 14 days, have severe liver disease or if you have taken moclobemide (used to treat depression and social anxiety). Inform your doctor before taking Amitriptyline if you have heart rhythm problems or hypotension. Consult your doctor immediately if you have suicidal thoughts, such as killing or harming yourself. Do not take Amitriptyline if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless prescribed. Amitriptyline causes drowsiness and dizziness; do not drive unless you are alert. Amitriptyline can be given to children above 6 years if prescribed by the doctor for treating bedwetting. Amitriptyline should not be given to children for treating depression or neuropathic pain. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Amitriptyline as it could lead to increased drowsiness and dizziness. Rise slowly from a sitting or lying position, as Amitriptyline may experience orthostatic hypotension (a sudden drop in blood pressure that can lead to dizziness upon standing).
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Amitriptyline may have interaction with pain killers (tramadol, trazodone, hydrocodone, oxycodone, acetaminophen), an antidepressant (bupropion, duloxetine, fluoxetine, sertraline), antihistamine (diphenhydramine, cetirizine), sedatives (zolpidem), muscle relaxant (cyclobenzaprine), anti-convulsant (gabapentin, lamotrigine, escitalopram, pregabalin, topiramate), anti-thyroid (levothyroxine), and anti-anxiety (alprazolam).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid consuming alcohol along with Amitriptyline as it may increase the sedative effects.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Amitriptyline may have interactions with disease conditions such as heart problems, anticholinergic effects, depression, seizure disorders, bone marrow suppression, diabetes, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, acute alcohol intoxication, glaucoma, thyroid problems, pheochromocytoma, neutropenia, kidney and liver problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Amitriptyline as it may cause an increased sedative effect.
Pregnancy
cautionAvoid taking Amitriptyline if you are pregnant unless prescribed by a doctor. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionConsult your doctor before taking Amitriptyline; your doctor will decide whether breastfeeding mothers can take Amitriptyline or not.
Driving
unsafeAmitriptyline causes sleepiness, dizziness and drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience these symptoms.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
cautionAmitriptyline can be given to children above 6 years if prescribed by the doctor for treating bedwetting. Amitriptyline should not be given to children for treating depression or neuropathic pain.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly helps improve overall health and boosts self-esteem.
- Regularly attend therapy sessions.
- Perform meditation and yoga. This helps in relieving stress and provides relaxation.
- Follow a regular sleep pattern to improve the amount and quality of sleep you get.
- Include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, nuts, fresh fruits, vegetables, and olive oil.
- Neurotransmitters are made up of amino acids. Amino acid-rich foods such as meat, dairy products, and certain fruits and vegetables help in the proper maintenance of neurotransmitters.
- Complex carbohydrates help in stimulating serotonin (a feel-good neurotransmitter). These include whole grains, legumes, spinach, broccoli, oranges and pears.
- Exercising helps in the production of the body’s natural antidepressants. It also helps relieve stress, improve mood, boost self-esteem, and promote restful sleep.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Learn about your condition, understand the risk factors and follow the doctor’s treatment plan.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Depression: It is a mood disorder characterised by the feeling of sadness, unhappiness, anger, hopelessness or loss that interferes with a person’s daily activities. Depression can also influence some chronic health conditions and relationships. The exact cause of depression is unknown, but it may be associated with mental problems, trauma, family history, drug use, and medical conditions.
FAQs
Amitriptyline is used to treat depression, neuropathic pain, chronic tension-type headaches, and migraine in adults. Additionally, it is also used to treat bedwetting in children aged 6 years and above at night.
Amitriptyline works by affecting certain chemical messengers (serotonin and/or norepinephrine) in the brain, which communicate between brain cells, thereby helping regulate mood and treating depression.
Amitriptyline prevents the transmission of pain signals, thereby providing relief from neuropathic pain.
Amitriptyline causes sleepiness, drowsiness, and dizziness. Do not drive or operate machinery if you are experiencing these symptoms.
Amitriptyline causes weight gain due to increased appetite. Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight.
Do not discontinue Amitriptyline without consulting your doctor, as it could lead to recurring symptoms. To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Amitriptyline for as long as prescribed. Do not hesitate to consult your doctor if you experience any difficulties while taking Amitriptyline.
Amitriptyline may cause decreased sex drive, problems with erection and orgasm. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Dry mouth may be a side effect of Amitriptyline. Limiting caffeine intake, avoiding smoking and mouthwashes containing alcohol, drinking water regularly, and chewing sugar-free gum or candy may help stimulate saliva and thereby prevent mouth dryness.
Yes, orthostatic hypotension could be a side-effect of Amitriptyline. Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden drop in blood pressure that occurs when standing, leading to dizziness. If you experience this, do not try to stand up suddenly or start walking; instead, lie down and get up slowly only when you feel better. People taking Amitriptyline are advised to regularly monitor their blood pressure levels to avoid such unpleasant events.
You might notice improvement within a few weeks. Still, it typically takes 4 to 6 weeks for the full effects of amitriptyline to be experienced. Avoid stopping the medication after 1 or 2 weeks, even if you don't feel immediate benefits. Allow at least 6 weeks for the medication to take full effect.
Amitriptyline is used to treat bedwetting at night in children aged 6 years and above. It should be given to children only if prescribed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it's almost time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Before using this medication, inform your doctor about your medical history, including any ongoing medications, to avoid potential interactions and minimise side effects.
Amitriptyline is one of many medications used to treat depression. Incorporating lifestyle changes can maximise its benefits and speed up recovery. Maintaining an active lifestyle and adhering to a healthy diet can significantly impact the rate of recovery from depression.
Always follow your doctor's advice on how to take your medication. Be aware of potential side effects and avoid taking more than the prescribed dosage. Never stop taking medication without consulting your doctor. Always inform your doctor about all other medications you're taking, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.
It's necessary to understand that suicidal thoughts can be a side effect of a few antidepressants, including amitriptyline, especially when starting the medicine. However, it is equally crucial to understand that depression can lead to suicidal thoughts. If you are considering self-harm, please seek treatment right now.
Yes, Amitriptyline may cause difficulty peeing in certain cases. If it happens, try to relax when you pee. Do not try to force the flow of urine. If you still cannot go, try again later. Talk to your doctor urgently if you cannot pee at all.
Taking more than the recommended dosage does not provide additional pain relief and can increase the risk of adverse effects.
Taking Amitriptyline in pregnancy would not usually require extra monitoring of your baby. Your doctor can explain how taking Amitriptyline can help you and how it might affect you. They will also help you choose the best treatment for you and your baby.
You might notice improvement within a few weeks. Still, it typically takes 4 to 6 weeks for the full effects of amitriptyline to be experienced. Allow at least 6 weeks for the medication to take full effect.
You might notice improvement within a few weeks. Still, it typically takes 4 to 6 weeks to experience the full effects of amitriptyline. Allow at least 6 weeks for the medication to work fully.
Amitriptyline is occasionally used to help individuals sleep better. It can make you feel very sleepy, especially when you first start taking it. For the first few days of therapy, it is advised to avoid driving, cycling, and using machinery or tools until you understand how this medicine affects you.
