How it works

Amitriptyline affects and restores the balance of certain chemicals in the brain that have a direct effect on the person’s mood.

Guidelines for usage

Follow the dosage instructions provided by your doctor or as mentioned in the instruction booklet/product label.

Always use only as prescribed. Never exceed the dosage.

Amitriptyline may be used with or without food.

Avoid taking grapefruit or its juice when you use Amitriptyline.

Doctors recommend that you swallow the whole tablet/capsules with a glass of water unless it is specified that it can be broken or chewed.

NOTE: Use only if prescribed to you and intended for your use. Do not share with others.

Missed Dose

It is common for people to forget their dosage times and miss doses.

Do not panic if you have missed a dose.

Instead, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not double up or take more than what the doctor has prescribed.

How & where do I store Amitriptyline?

The medicine label contains detailed instructions regarding safe storage of the medication. Most medicines are best stored at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Some medications may require to be refrigerated. Please check the product label.

Keep it away from the reach of children. Ensure that it is not exposed to direct sunlight or moisture.

Ask your pharmacist about safely disposing off medication that is past expiry date.

Overdose Related Information

If you accidentally consume more medication than what was prescribed, then contact an emergency healthcare center immediately.

Safety Information/ Warning Precautions

Discuss your medical history with your healthcare provider before you start using any new medication.

Ensure that you mention the following:

Any prior serious ailment, lifestyle disease or surgery
All the prescription drugs, OTC health supplements, herbal supplements that you are using currently
Your alcohol intake and whether you smoke or not
Any history of a known allergic reaction to prescription drugs or food
If you have a history of mental illness (eg, bipolar disorder, mania, manic-depression), or have considered or attempted suicide
If you have alcoholism or regularly consume 3 or more alcoholic beverages per day, if you have glaucoma, an irregular heartbeat, heart disease, chest pain, liver disease, prostate problems, thyroid disease, or are unable to urinate (urinary retention)
If you have a history of seizures, epilepsy, or porphyria.

This will allow your healthcare provider to prescribe the apt dosage of the medication for you.

To be avoided

You must avoid using Amitriptyline if it you are allergic to any ingredient in it or if:

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.

Using Alcohol

Amitriptyline is known to cause drowsiness or dizziness. Your vision may be blurred and your judgement affected if you consume alcohol with this medication. So, avoid using alcohol while using Amitriptyline.

These effects may also get aggravated due to hot weather or fever or severe exercise. So, be cautious when you stand up after a long time from a sitting or lying position. If you feel giddy then lie down immediately and seek medical help.

Possible Drug & Food Interactions

Certain prescription drugs or health supplements or even food items are known to interact with the effects of medications. Amitriptyline is known to have possible interactions with the following medications.

MAOIs (eg, phenelzine, selegiline), Anticholinergics (eg, scopolamine), bupropion, cimetidine, fluconazole, phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), SSRIs (eg, fluoxetine), terbinafine, or valproic acid, Antihistamines (eg, diphenhydramine), cisapride, droperidol, ketolides (eg, telithromycin), macrolides (eg, erythromycin), mibefradil, pimozide, or streptogramins (eg, quinupristin/dalfopristin), Carbamazepine, thyroid medicines (eg, levothyroxine), or stimulants (eg, albuterol, pseudoephedrine), Warfarin, Clonidine, guanethidine, or guanfacine

Additional Information

It is not clear whether Amitriptyline is safe for use by children below 18 years of age. So, if the patient is under this age, then speak to your doctor regarding the possible risks.

Important Information for Pregnant Women

Amitriptyline is categorized under FDA category C which indicates that it may pose a risk to the unborn fetus.

Discuss the potential risks with your healthcare provider before using the medication.

Certain medications may be found in breast milk so speak to your child’s doctor to rule out any possibilities of risk.

Side Effects

Report the following side effects to your doctor only if they become bothersome or do not stop on their own:

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

The following side effects require immediate medical attention. So report these to your doctor immediately.

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.