Amitriptyline

Uses of Amitriptyline

Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant used to treat symptoms of depression, and amitriptyline is used off-label for insomnia, migraine prevention, ADHD, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, anxiety, psychotic disorders, and some types of pain. Amitriptyline may work by increasing chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) serotonin and norepinephrine that communicate between brain cells and help regulate mood.

Precautions and Warnings

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to amitriptyline or any of the inactive ingredients or if you have recently had a heart attack.

Do not use amitriptyline if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

Tell your doctor if you have used an “SSRI” antidepressant in the past 5 weeks, such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, or vilazodone.

To make sure amitriptyline is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• bipolar disorder (manic-depression) or schizophrenia;
• mental illness or psychosis;
• liver disease;
• heart disease;
• a heart attack, stroke, or seizures;
• diabetes (amitriptyline may raise or lower blood sugar);
• glaucoma; or
• problems with urination.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Amitriptyline is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.

Dosage

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage for depression:
• Adults—At first, 75 milligrams (mg) per day given in divided doses, or 50 to 100 mg at bedtime. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 150 mg per day, unless you are in the hospital. Some hospitalized patients may need higher doses.
• Teenagers and Older adults—10 milligrams (mg) three times a day, and 20 mg at bedtime. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
• Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Side Effects

Common side effects:

• constipation
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• feeling sleepy, tired or weak
• difficulty peeing
• headaches