Amitriptyline
Also sold as: Tryptanol, Elavil
Usual adult dose
For depression: usually 25 mg to 75 mg at bedtime, raised slowly by the doctor. For nerve pain or to prevent headaches: 10 mg to 25 mg at bedtime. An overdose is very dangerous — keep it away from children.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- drowsiness
- dry mouth
- constipation
- blurred vision
- weight gain
- dizziness on standing up
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- fainting
- difficulty passing urine
- confusion
- seizures
- thoughts of suicide
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Recent heart attack or heart rhythm problems
- Taking an MAO inhibitor antidepressant
- Narrow-angle glaucoma
- Enlarged prostate or difficulty passing urine (use with caution)
- Epilepsy (use with caution)
- Older people (use with caution — falls and confusion)
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious2 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Amiodarone
Both affect heart rhythm; the combination can cause dangerous arrhythmias.
- Tramadol
Together they raise the risk of seizures and serotonin syndrome.
Moderate12 medicinesTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Adrenaline
Amitriptyline can increase the effect of adrenaline on blood pressure and heart rhythm.
- Clonidine
Tricyclic antidepressants reduce the blood pressure effect of clonidine.
- Diazepam
Both cause drowsiness; together they increase sedation and falls.
- Dicycloverine
Both have anticholinergic effects; more dry mouth, constipation, confusion and urine retention.