Amitriptyline is a type of drug called a tricyclic antidepressant. This type of drug acts on nerve cells in the brain.
In the brain there are numerous different chemical compounds called neurotransmitters. These act as chemical messengers between the nerve cells. Serotonin and noradrenaline are neurotransmitters and they have various functions that we know of.
When serotonin and noradrenaline are released from nerve cells in the brain they act to lighten mood. When they are reabsorbed into the nerve cells, they no longer have an effect on mood. It is thought that when depression occurs, there may be a decreased amount of serotonin and noradrenaline released from nerve cells in the brain.
Amitriptyline works by preventing serotonin and noradrenaline from being reabsorbed back into the nerve cells in the brain. This helps prolong the mood lightening effect of any released noradrenaline and serotonin. In this way, amitriptyline helps relieve depression.
Amitriptyline can cause side effects such as drowsiness. This means it may be useful in treating depression in people who are also anxious and agitated, or who are suffering from disturbances in sleep.
It may take between two to four weeks for the benefits of this drug to appear, so it is very important that you keep taking it, even if it doesn't seem to make much difference at first. If you feel your depression has got worse, or if you have any distressing thoughts or feelings in these first few weeks, then you should talk to your doctor.
Amitriptyline is also occasionally used for a completely different purpose - for the treatment of bedwetting in children. It works in this situation by blocking receptors called cholinergic or muscarinic receptors that are found on the surface of muscle cells in the wall of the bladder. This prevents a chemical called acetylcholine from acting on these receptors. Acetylcholine acting on these receptors normally causes the muscle in the bladder wall to contract, and the bladder to empty. By reducing this, amitriptyline helps the muscle in the bladder wall to relax. This reduces unstable, involuntary contractions of the bladder, and thereby increases the capacity of the bladder to hold urine. This in turn reduces the need to pass urine. When used for this purpose, amitriptyline should generally only be used for a maximum of three months, unless a full physical examination is given and the child is fully re-assessed.
Why is this drug prescribed?
- preventing migraine.;
- nerve pain;
- depressive illness;
- bedwetting in children aged seven years and over;
Amitriptyline hydrochloride is prescribed for the relief of symptoms of mental depression. It is a member of the group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. Some doctors also prescribe Amitriptyline hydrochloride to treat bulimia, to control chronic pain, to prevent migraine headaches, and to treat a pathological weeping and laughing syndrome associated with multiple sclerosis.
You may need to take Amitriptyline hydrochloride regularly for several weeks before it becomes fully effective. Do not skip doses, even if they seem to make no difference or you feel you don't need them.
Take Amitriptyline hydrochloride exactly as prescribed. You may experience side effects, such as mild drowsiness, early in therapy. However, they usually disappear after a few days. Beneficial effects may take as long as 30 days to appear.
Amitriptyline hydrochloride may cause dry mouth. Sucking a hard candy, chewing gum, or melting bits of ice in your mouth can provide relief.
- water retention;
- vague feeling of bodily discomfort;
- swelling of the testicles;
- stroke;
- seizure;
- restlessness;
- rash;
- problems urinating;
- nausea;
- irritability;
- high body temperature;
- heart attack;
- hair loss;
- dry mouth;
- constipation;
- breast enlargement;
- bowel problems;
- bone marrow depression;
- older adults are especially liable to certain side effects of amitriptyline hydrochloride including rapid heartbeat constipation dry mouth blurred vision sedation and confusion and are in greater danger of sustaining a fall.;
- taste disturbances;
- sweating;
- sexual problems;
- rashes;
- nausea;
- low blood pressure;
- involuntary muscle movements such as tremors or twitching;
- increased appetite and weight gain;
- headache;
- faster than normal heart beat;
- dry mouth;
- drowsiness;
- drop in blood pressure when going from lying or sitting to sitting or standing causing dizziness and lightheadedness;
- disturbances in the normal numbers of blood cells in the blood;
- difficulty in passing urine;
- convulsions;
- constipation;
- confusion or delirium;
- changes in behaviour;
- blurred vision;
- abnormal heart beats;
- headache;
- dream and sleep disturbances;
- blurred vision;
ADULTS
The usual starting dosage is 75 mg per day divided into 2 or more smaller doses. Your doctor may gradually increase this dose to 150 mg per day. The total daily dose is generally never higher than 200 mg.
Alternatively, your doctor may want you to start with 50 mg to 100 mg at bedtime. He or she may increase this bedtime dose by 25 or 50 mg up to a total of 150 mg a day.
For long-term use, the usual dose ranges from 40 to 100 mg taken once daily, usually at bedtime.
CHILDREN
Use of Amitriptyline hydrochloride is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
The usual dose for adolescents 12 years of age and over is 10 mg, 3 times a day, with 20 mg taken at bedtime.
OLDER ADULTS
The usual dose is 10 mg taken 3 times a day, with 20 mg taken at bedtime.
