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.
Amlodipine besylate is prescribed for angina, a condition characterized by episodes of crushing chest pain that usually results from a lack of oxygen in the heart muscle due to clogged arteries. Amlodipine besylate is also prescribed for high blood pressure. It is a type of medication called a calcium channel blocker. These drugs dilate blood vessels and slow the heart to reduce blood pressure and the pain of angina.
If you have high blood pressure, you must take Amlodipine besylate regularly for it to be effective. Since blood pressure declines gradually, it may be several weeks before you get the full benefit of Amlodipine besylate; and you must continue taking it even if you are feeling well. Amlodipine besylate does not cure high blood pressure; it merely keeps it under control.
Amlodipine besylate may be taken with or without food. A once-a-day medication, Amlodipine besylate may be used alone or in combination with other drugs for high blood pressure or angina.
You should take Amlodipine besylate exactly as prescribed, even if your symptoms have disappeared. You will begin to see a drop in your blood pressure 24 hours after you start the medication.
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.
- water retention;
- vague feeling of bodily discomfort;
- swelling of the testicles;
- stroke;
- seizure;
- restlessness;
- problems urinating rash;
- palpitations;
- nausea;
- irritability;
- high body temperature;
- heart attack;
- headache;
- hair loss;
- flushing;
- fluid retention and swelling;
- fatigue;
- dry mouth;
- constipation;
- breast enlargement;
- bowel problems;
- bone marrow depression;
- headache;
- dream and sleep disturbances;
- dizziness;
- 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.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Adults
The usual starting dose is 5 mg taken once a day. The most you should take in a day is 10 mg. If your doctor is adding Amlodipine besylate to other high blood pressure medications, the dose is 2.5 mg once daily. The lower 2.5-mg starting dose also applies if you have liver disease.
Children 6 to 17 Years
The usual dose is 2.5 to 5 mg once a day. Doses exceeding 5 mg have not been studied in children.
Older Adults
You will be prescribed a lower starting dose of 2.5 mg.
ANGINA
Adults
The usual starting dose is 5 to 10 mg once daily. If you have liver disease, the lower 5-mg dose will be used at the start.
Older Adults
The usual starting dose is 5 mg. Your doctor may adjust the dose based on your response to the drug.
