Amitriptyline is an antidepressant drug that doctors prescribe to treat depression. It also has off-label uses for other mental and physical health conditions.
Amitriptyline is a drug in the tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) family.
TCAs were introduced in the late
Doctors prescribe amitriptyline to people with depression who have not responded to other antidepressants. There are additional uses for amitriptyline that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have not approved.
Read on to learn more about the uses, side effects, warnings, and potential interactions of amitriptyline.
Amitriptyline is a TCA. Antidepressants in this family
The structure of amitriptyline allows it to attach to receptors in the brain called alpha-adrenergic, histaminic, and muscarinic receptors. This means that amitriptyline can cause more side effects than some other TCAs.
Some examples of other drugs in the TCA class include:
There are six dosages of amitriptyline: 10 milligrams (mg), 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, and 150 mg.
Amitriptyline was once manufactured under the brand Elavil, but only generic forms of the drug are currently available.
Doctors prescribe amitriptyline to treat depression in adults.
Amitriptyline may also cause blurred vision, urinary retention, a rapid heartbeat, and acute-angle glaucoma when it binds to muscarinic receptors in the body.
When amitriptyline attaches to histaminic receptors, it may cause sedation, confusion, and delirium.
People who have seizures should use amitriptyline with caution because it can lower the seizure threshold.
Serious cardiac side effects can occur when amitriptyline binds to alpha-adrenergic receptors in the heart. Low blood pressure upon standing and heart rate fluctuations and irregularities are some of these effects.
When treating depression with amitriptyline, doctors
Depending on a person’s response to the medication, the doctor may increase the dosage by 25 mg every 3–7 days. The effective dosage of amitriptyline is one that controls symptoms without causing too many side effects.
The maximum daily dosage of amitriptyline is 150–300 mg per day.
When the dosage is correct, people should notice their symptoms improving within 2–4 weeks. The doctor will recommend maintaining an effective dosage for at least 3 months to prevent symptoms from returning.
If a person wants to stop taking amitriptyline, it is important to develop a tapering schedule with a doctor to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Stopping amitriptyline abruptly can cause side effects.
It is important to gradually reduce the dosage of amitriptyline to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms can include:
- general discomfort
A doctor will recommend a tapering schedule. An individual approach is key because each person may have a different reaction to stopping the drug.
Keeping track of any symptoms and informing the doctor can help them judge whether to speed up or slow down the tapering.
Short-term studies have shown that antidepressants can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults. Research has not shown that people older than 24 years experience these or similar effects.
Before prescribing amitriptyline to a child, adolescent, or young adult, the doctor should weigh the benefits and risks carefully. During treatment, doctors and caregivers need to monitor people taking amitriptyline for worsening symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, and unusual behaviors.
Anyone who has experienced an
Anyone over 50 and anyone with a history of heart trouble will undergo an electrocardiogram before beginning amitriptyline treatment. They will repeat this test during treatment so a doctor can check for new or worsening heart conditions.
Amitriptyline can worsen existing angle-closure glaucoma, urinary retention, and seizures. It is important to discuss any symptoms with a doctor, who can rule out these issues, before beginning treatment.
Doctors should prescribe lower doses of amitriptyline to people with liver or kidney failure.
When a person takes amitriptyline and certain other drugs,
MAOIs are another class of antidepressant. A person should not take amitriptyline and an MAOI at the same time. A period of
MAOIs work by blocking the effect of the enzyme monoamine oxidase. This enzyme is responsible for breaking down monoamines in the body.
Monoamines include epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, and tyramine. When levels of these chemicals rise in the body, a person may
- increased heart rate
- increased body temperature
- muscle twitching
- high blood pressure
MAOI drugs include :
The QT interval on an electrocardiogram is an important measure of the electrical conduction of the heart. When this interval lengthens, a person
Some examples of other drugs that can prolong the QT interval include:
Serotonin syndrome occurs when there is too much serotonin in the body. This can cause symptoms that can range in severity from
Serotonin syndrome symptoms include:
- dilated pupils
- flushed skin
- dry mucous membranes
- increased bowel sounds
- excessive sweating
- increased body temperature
- a rapid heartbeat
- muscle rigidity
- muscle twitching
- abnormal reflexes agitation
- an altered mental status
Amitriptyline increases the amount of serotonin in the brain. When a person also takes other drugs that have this effect, it puts them at risk of developing serotonin syndrome.
The manufacturer has discontinued the Elavil brand of amitriptyline, so only generic forms are available.
The following list shows the prices for 30 tablets of amitriptyline by dosage.
- Amitriptyline 10 mg: $4.00
- Amitriptyline 25 mg: $4.00
- Amitriptyline 50 mg: $4.00
- Amitriptyline 75 mg: $4.00
- Amitriptyline 100 mg: $16.82
- Amitriptyline 150 mg: $23.50
Doctors usually prescribe amitriptyline to treat depression. In addition, some off-label uses include treating anxiety, IBS, and chronic pain.
People taking amitriptyline may experience drowsiness, headaches, and dizziness, among other side effects, some of which are more severe.
Anyone taking any antidepressant should remain watchful for worsening of symptoms. Some people have experienced suicidal thoughts and behaviors while taking amitriptyline, and this requires immediate medical attention.
Also, some drugs can interact with amitriptyline. It is crucial that doctors and pharmacists carefully weigh the benefits and risks of adding amitriptyline to a person’s care plan.