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Amitriptyline

Amitriptyline

No More Panic forum posts about this medication can be found here: Amitriptyline

Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant drug used to treat spontaneous endogenous depression and is sedating.

This drug may also be helpful in the treatment of agitation, anorexia, adjunctive treatment of neurogenic pain, bulimia associated with depression, chronic hiccups, insomnia, major depression, or in a patient with chronic pain.

Benefits Seen

  • From a few days to a few weeks. If you are going to suffer any side effects, then they should appear right away and most will pass within a few days.

Missed Dose

  • Only take one usual dose within a 24 hour period. Never Take a Double Dose!

If Stop Taking

  • Do not stop without consulting your doctor and never abruptly. It should be weaned or tapered off.

Overdose symptoms include

  • Change in body temperature
  • Convulsions
  • Coma
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Cardiac arrhythmia
  • Vomiting
  • Overdose can be fatal!

Warning signs

  • Agitation
  • High body temperature
  • Excessive movement
  • Flushing
  • Stiff muscles.

Warnings

  • This drug is non addictive
  • Do not take this drug if you are pregnant
  • Do not take this drug if planning to become pregnant
  • Do not take if you are breast-feeding
  • Should not be given to anyone under the age of twelve. If over sixty only use drug in small doses and with close monitoring of its side effects (e.g. Blood pressure lowering, confusion)
  • If you have a history of cardiac disease
  • If you have a history of liver impairment

Inform your Doctor if:

  • You had negative reactions to any drug or any drug of this type in the past
  • If you have epilepsy
  • If you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription drug
  • If you plan to be under anesthesia or having any surgery in the next few months, also if you will be undergoing any medical tests.
  • If you have a history of cardiac disease
  • If you have a history of liver impairment
  • if you have a history of thyroid disorder

Symptoms or Side Effects

Common

  • Blurred vision
  • Constipation
  • Dry mouth
  • Increased sensitivity to sun
  • Low blood pressure
  • Increase in sweating
  • Sleepiness
  • Weight gain

Rare

  • Confusion
  • Increased appetite
  • Insomnia
  • Racing heartbeat
  • Palpitations
  • Seizures
  • Sexual problems
  • Skin rashes / Allergies

See doctor always

  • Low blood pressure
  • Confusion
  • Seizures
  • Sexual problems
  • Skin rashes/ Allergies
  • Being excessively thirsty

See doctor if severe

  • Blurred vision
  • Constipation
  • Drowsiness
  • Dry mouth
  • Racing heartbeat
  • Palpitations
  • Insomnia
  • Increased sensitivity to sun
  • Increase in sweating
  • Sleepiness
  • Weight gain
  • Increased appetite
  • Confusion
  • Skin rashes/allergies

See doctor now

  • Seizures