Amitriptyline hydrochloride
Trade Name:
Elavil
Type of Drug:
Amitriptyline hydrochloride is used to reduce anxiety or depression. It belongs to a general class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants.
How Drug Works:
Amitriptyline hydrochloride increases the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, so that the feeling of depression is prevented or relieved. By a separate mechanism, amitriptyline hydrochloride also may reduce peripheral nerve pain.
How Drug Is Given:
Amitriptyline hydrochloride is a pill taken by mouth, with food if the medicine upsets your stomach. The dose is low when the drug is started and gradually increased, as directed by your doctor. Amitriptyline hydrochloride can also be given by a shot into a muscle if needed. Keep the medicine in a tightly closed container and out of the reach of children and pets.
How Should I Take This Drug?
Take this drug exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand the instructions, ask your doctor or nurse to explain them to you.
Read the following information. If you do not understand it or if any of it causes you special concern, check with your doctor.
Before taking this drug, tell your doctor if you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs, including vitamins and herbals.

Should I avoid any other medicines, foods, alcohol, and/or activities?
Your prescription and nonprescription medicines may interact with other drugs, causing harm. Certain foods or alcohol can also interact with drug products. Never begin taking a new medicine—prescription or nonprescription—without asking your doctor or nurse if it will interact with alcohol, food, or other medicines. Some drug products can cause drowsiness and affect activities such as driving.
Precautions:
Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs as they may have serious interactions with amitriptyline hydrochloride: Coumadin, monamine oxidase inhibitors or other antidepressant drugs, or amphetamines.
Tell your doctor if you have had a heart attack (myocardial infarction), have a seizure disorder, or have benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) as you should not take amitriptyline hydrochloride.
Tell your doctor if you have urine retention, narrow-angle glaucoma, hyperthyroidism, liver problems, or thoughts of suicide. This drug should be used very cautiously if you have any of these conditions.
Once you start taking amitriptyline hydrochloride, it may take 2 weeks or longer for the antidepressant effect to work. This medicine can be used to help you get to sleep at night, and this effect starts right away. Pain relief usually starts right away as well.
Try to take your dose of the medicine at bedtime so it will help you sleep better. Abruptly stopping the drug can cause anxiety, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and tiredness. The drug should be gradually discontinued.
Since amitriptyline hydrochloride affects the central nervous system (CNS), do not take other drugs or substances that are known CNS depressants, such as alcohol, sedatives, and hypnotics.
Tell all the doctors, dentists, and pharmacists you visit that you are taking this drug.
  • Most of the following side effects probably will not occur.
  • Your doctor or nurse will want to discuss specific care instructions with you.
  • Your doctor or nurse will want to discuss specific care instructions with you.
  • They can help you understand these side effects and help you deal with them.
Side Effects:
More Common Side Effects
  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness
  • Feeling sleepy or drowsy
  • Tiredness (fatigue)
  • Dry mouth
Less Common Side Effects
  • Confusion (especially in the elderly)
  • Disorientation
  • Hallucinations
  • Decreased blood pressure when changing positions
  • Increased heart rate
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Urinary retention
Rare Side Effects
  • Fine tremors
  • Rigidity
  • Difficulty speaking
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Numbness and tingling in the hands and/or feet related to nerve irritation
  • Blurred vision
  • Electrical changes in the heart
  • Abdominal cramping
  • Increase in liver function blood levels
  • Rash
  • Hives
  • Redness of the skin
  • Increased sensitivity to sunlight
Side Effects / Symptoms of the Drug
The drowsiness and/or dizziness usually goes away within 1 to 2 weeks. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel drowsy or dizzy.

Take care in walking around or changing position if you are drowsy. Stop the drug and call your doctor or nurse if the drowsiness does not go away, or if you have trouble walking or moving because of it.

Tell your doctor or nurse if you get fine tremors, feel like your body is rigid, or have difficulty speaking or swallowing. You can be given another medicine to take away these problems.
Other side effects not listed above can also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop any problems.
FDA Approval: Yes