Amitrip
Generic Name: Amitriptyline Hydrochloride
Use
Amitriptyline is a tricyclic medicine that was once widely used as an antidepressant
before being replaced by newer antidepressant medications with better side effect
profiles. Other uses of amitriptyline include the treatment of insomnia, enuresis
and chronic pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia.
Dosage
Patients are usually started on a low dose of 5-10mg daily, taken at night to
minimise side effects. This is gradually increased to a maximum daily dose of
50-150 mg, depending on the response and tolerability of side effects by the
patient.
Side effects
The side effects of amitriptyline include sedation, drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred
vision, constipation, difficultly urinating, dizziness, weight gain, heart rhythm
disturbances. These effects may occur in up to 50% of patients and elderly patients
are at greater risk. Intolerance of these effects often leads to discontinuation
of the drug.
Precautions
It may be dangerous to take amitriptyline with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor
(MAOI) antidepressant medication or within 14 days of discontinuing a MAOI.
Amitriptyline may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions.
Tell your doctor if you have had any of the following health problems: Heart
disease, Seizures/epilepsy, Glaucoma, Urinary retention, Overactive thyroid
gland, Drug-related hyperpyrexia. Amitriptyline is dangerous in overdose.
