Amitriptyline

Information About Amitriptyline

Uses of Amitriptyline

Amitriptyline is commonly used in the treatment of depression, bed wetting, insomnia, anxiety disorder, nerve pain, obsessive-compulsive disorder (ocd) and preventive treatment of migraine.

How Amitriptyline Works

Amitriptyline increases the concentration of serotonin or norepinephrine in the central nervous system by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin in the neurons

Side Effects of Amitriptyline

Hypotension, Nightmares, Difficulty sleeping (insomnia), Restlessness, Confusion, Hallucinations, Dysarthria, Palpitation, Tremors, Dry mouth

Authorship

Written By

Dr Mohd Ramzdhan Bin Mohd Masdar

MD (Crimea State Medical University)

Reviewed By

Dr Nur Syuhada binti Zulkifli

MD, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

Amitriptyline Related Warnings

Alcohol Not Advisable

It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Amitriptyline as it will aggravate the effect of confusion and drowsiness

Pregnancy Not Safe

Amitriptyline tablets may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus. However, there is a lack of human studies

Lactation Limited Data

In most cases, there were no adverse effects seen in breastfed infants. However, there are rare cases of amitriptyline cause sedation in the breastfed baby.

Driving Not advisable

Do not drive unless you are feeling well. Amitriptyline may cause side effects such as sedation which could affect the ability to concentrate and drive.

Kidney Use With Care

Amitriptyline is one of the nephrogenic drugs. It may cause rhabdomyolysis and it is contraindicated in Chronic Renal Failure

Liver Use With Care

Metabolism of Amitriptyline takes place in the liver. There are few cases of liver abnormalities reported such as acute hepatitis, prolonged jaundice, and cholestatic hepatitis