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Generic Name: Amitriptyline (am-ee-TRIP-tih-leen)
Brand Name: Elavil
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts
or actions in children, teenagers, and young adults. However,
depression and certain other mental problems may also increase
the risk of suicide. Talk with the patient's doctor to be
sure that the benefits of using Amitriptyline outweigh the
risks.
Family and caregivers must closely watch patients who take
Amitriptyline . It is important to keep in close contact with
the patient's doctor. Tell the doctor right away if the patient
has symptoms like worsened depression, suicidal thoughts,
or changes in behavior. Discuss any questions with the patient's
doctor.
Amitriptyline is used for:
Treating depression. It may also be used for other conditions
as determined by your doctor.
Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant. How tricyclic
antidepressants improve depression symptoms is not fully understood.
They are thought to increase the activity of certain chemicals
in the brain (norepinephrine, serotonin), which help improve
mood.
Do NOT use Amitriptyline if:
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you are allergic to any ingredient in Amitriptyline
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you are currently taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase
inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine, selegiline) within the
last 14 days |
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you are taking antihistamines (eg, diphenhydramine),
cisapride, droperidol, a ketolide (eg, telithromycin)
, a macrolide (eg, erythromycin), mibefradil, or pimozide
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you are recovering from a heart attack |
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Contact
your doctor or health care provider right away if any
of these apply to you. |
Before using Amitriptyline:
Some medical conditions may interact with Amitriptyline .
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions,
especially if any of the following apply to you:
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if you are pregnant, planning to become
pregnant, or are breast-feeding |
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if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription
medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement |
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if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other
substances |
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if you have a history of mental illness (eg, bipolar
disorder, mania, manic-depression), or have considered
or attempted suicide |
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if you have alcoholism or regularly consume 3 or more
alcoholic beverages per day |
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if you have glaucoma, an irregular heartbeat, heart
disease, chest pain, liver disease, prostate problems,
thyroid disease, or are unable to urinate (urinary retention)
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if you have a history of seizures, epilepsy, or porphyria
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Some MEDICINES
MAY INTERACT with Amitriptyline . Tell your health care
provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially
any of the following: |
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MAOIs (eg, phenelzine, selegiline) because they can
cause serious, sometimes life-threatening, reactions.
Do NOT take MAO inhibitors with, or within 2 weeks of
taking, Amitriptyline |
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Anticholinergics (eg, scopolamine), bupropion, cimetidine,
fluconazole, phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), SSRIs
(eg, fluoxetine), terbinafine, or valproic acid because
side effects such as blurred vision, difficult urination,
drowsiness or sedation, dry mouth, or lightheadedness
may occur |
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Antihistamines (eg, diphenhydramine), cisapride, droperidol,
ketolides (eg, telithromycin), macrolides (eg, erythromycin),
mibefradil, pimozide, or streptogramins (eg, quinupristin/dalfopristin)
because serious side effects on the heart (eg, racing
heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, life-threatening abnormal
heartbeat leading to unconsciousness, and lack of heartbeat,
may be increased by Amitriptyline |
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Carbamazepine, thyroid medicines (eg, levothyroxine),
or stimulants (eg, albuterol, pseudoephedrine) because
their side effects may be increased by Amitriptyline |
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Warfarin because side effects such as serious bleeding
may be increased by Amitriptyline |
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Clonidine, guanethidine, or guanfacine because the effectiveness
of these medicines may be decreased |
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This may
not be a complete list of all interactions that may
occur. Ask your health care provider if Amitriptyline
may interact with other medicines that you take. Check
with your health care provider before you start, stop,
or change the dose of any medicine. |
How to use Amitriptyline:
Use Amitriptyline as directed by your doctor. Check the label
on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
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Amitriptyline comes with an additional patient
information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully
and reread it each time you get Amitriptyline refilled.
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Amitriptyline may be taken with food or on an empty
stomach. |
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Avoid eating or drinking grapefruit juice while taking
Amitriptyline. |
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Amitriptyline may take up to 30 days to control symptoms
of depression. Continue to use Amitriptyline even if you
feel well. Do not miss any doses. |
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If you miss a dose of Amitriptyline, take it as soon
as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing
schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. |
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Ask your
health care provider any questions you may have about
how to use Amitriptyline. |
Important safety information:
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Amitriptyline may cause dizziness, drowsiness,
or blurred vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or
do anything else that could be dangerous until you know
how you react to Amitriptyline . Using Amitriptyline alone,
with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your
ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous
tasks. |
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Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other medicines that
cause drowsiness (eg, sedatives, tranquilizers) while
taking Amitriptyline . Amitriptyline will add to the effects
of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist
if you have questions about which medicines are depressants.
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Amitriptyline may cause dizziness, lightheadedness,
or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever
may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or
stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down
at the first sign of any of these effects. |
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Involuntary and uncontrollable movements may develop
in patients taking Amitriptyline . Occurrence is highest
among the elderly, especially women. The risk of developing
these involuntary movements and the likelihood they will
become permanent are increased with long-term use and
with high doses. However, it is possible to develop these
symptoms after short-term use at low doses. Contact your
health care provider at once if any of the following occur:
involuntary movements of the tongue, face, mouth, or jaw
(eg, protrusion of tongue, puffing of cheeks, puckering
of mouth, chewing movements), sometimes accompanied by
involuntary movements of the arms and legs. |
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Amitriptyline may cause sensitivity to sunlight. Avoid
prolonged exposure to the sun and other ultraviolet light
(eg, tanning beds). Use sunscreens and wear protective
clothing until tolerance is determined. |
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Do not become overheated in hot weather or during exercise
or other activities since heatstroke may occur. |
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Children, teenagers, and young adults who take Amitriptyline
may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions.
Watch all patients who take Amitriptyline closely. Contact
the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms
such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable
behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood
or behavior occur. Contact the doctor right away if any
signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur. |
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Diabetes patients - Amitriptyline may affect your blood
sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor
before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
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Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency
care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you
are using Amitriptyline. |
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Use caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive
to its effects, especially lightheadedness upon standing;
rapid heartbeat; breathing problems; difficult urination;
and constipation. |
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PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Amitriptyline has been
shown to cause harm to the human fetus. If you plan on
becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits
and risks of using Amitriptyline during pregnancy. Amitriptyline
is excreted in the breast milk. Do not breast-feed while
taking Amitriptyline. |
Possible side effects of Amitriptyline:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have
no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any
of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
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Blurred vision; change in sexual desire
or ability; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness;
dry mouth; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; tiredness;
trouble sleeping; weakness. |
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Seek medical
attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects
occur: |
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Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty
breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth,
face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; confusion; dark urine;
delusions; difficulty speaking or swallowing; fainting;
fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat;
hallucinations; new or worsening agitation, anxiety, panic
attacks, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, irritability,
hostility, exaggerated feeling of well-being, restlessness,
or inability to sit still; numbness or tingling in an
arm or leg; one-sided weakness; seizures; severe or persistent
dizziness or headache; severe or persistent trouble sleeping;
slurred speech; suicidal thoughts or actions; tremor;
trouble urinating; uncontrolled muscle movements (eg,
of face, tongue, arms, legs); unusual bleeding or bruising;
unusual or severe mental or mood changes; vision problems;
yellowing of the skin or eyes. |
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