Amitriptyline prescribing information |
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Amitriptyline
Amitriptyline (Teperin, Elavil, Endep) is the most commonly used antidepressants in a class of drugs called tricylic antidepressants. It causes a rebalancing of the chemical composition in the brain as a treatment for depression. Amitriptyline can be used to treat the symptoms of depression such as changes in appetite, feeling of worthlessness, guilt or sadness, excessive sleep and suicidal thoughts. Other than the treatment of depression Amitriptyline can sometimes be used to relieve some forms of pain: tension headaches, symptoms of schizophrenia, migraines and anxiety attacks.
About the Drug
The neurotransmitters in the brain serotonin and noradrenalin are responsible for the mood of an individual. When the level of these neurotransmitters in the brain is low, it is thought that this leads to depression. Amitriptyline acts on the brains nerve cells; it prevents the re-absorption of serotonin and noradrenalin into the nerve cells in the brain. In doing so, Amitriptyline allows the brain to make optimum use of the mood-lifting effect of these substances thereby treating depression. Since one of the side effects of Amitriptyline includes drowsiness, this makes it applicable in the treatment of depression in people who suffer from anxiety, agitation or disturbed sleep.
How to take
It should be noted that this drug does not give an instant effect therefore a period of up to four weeks may be required before the benefits manifest. For this reason the drug should be taking for a sufficiently long period without withdrawing even when initially there seems to be no improvement in mood. However should you notice further drop in mood or have suicidal thoughts while on the medication, inform your doctor of this. Amitriptyline can also be used with caution in children to solve bed wetting problems. In this application it can help relax the muscles of the bladder thereby preventing involuntary muscle contractions that lead to urinating while sleeping. However for this purpose it should not be used for longer than a 3 month period.
Possible side effects
As well as the benefits attributable to Amitriptyline, it may also come with some side effects which may vary from person to person. The side effects which may occur while taking Amitriptyline includes: rashes, sexual problems, alteration in taste, sweating, behavioural changes, involuntary muscle movements, nausea, mouth dryness, blurred vision, difficulty urinating, constipation, confusion, headache, increased appetite, weight gain, changes in blood cell count, abnormal heartbeats, convulsion and hypotension.
Special warning
Abrupt withdrawal from this medicine should be avoided as this could result in a return to depression and withdrawal syndrome. In addition to this, it should be noted that the antidepressant effect of the d Amitriptyline might not manifest until about 4 weeks of taking the drug; do not simply discontinue medication as a result of not feeling an improvement. Individuals tend to feel drowsy while on this medication therefore may affect ability to drive or perform certain tasks. A feeling of dizziness when getting up may be experienced in the earlier stage of taking this medication; this can be managed by getting up slowly and remain in a sitting or lying down position until this subsides. Children may develop behavioural changes while taking this medication; this should be addressed by a doctor.
Drug interactions
Do not take alcohol while on Amitriptyline as this may further increase drowsiness. Your doctor should be informed of any prescribed or un-prescribed drugs you are already taking and do not take any other drugs while taking Amitriptyline without seeking your doctor’s advice. Taking other drugs while taking Amitriptyline could result in an increased risk of developing side effect and may also make these side effects more severe.
Pregnant and Nursing Mothers
There are insufficient data on the safety of this drug in pregnant women therefore it is not recommended for this group except where it is deemed essential by the doctor. Amitriptyline can pass into the breast milk and then get taken up by the child posing risk to the child, therefore except where it is absolutely required it should not be used by nursing mothers,
Storage
Store the drug at room temperature protecting away from intense light and heat.
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 Amitriptyline prescribing information
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