Amitriptyline

Use Amitriptyline as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Amitriptyline comes with an additional patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully and reread it each time you get Amitriptyline refilled.
• Amitriptyline may be taken with food or on an empty stomach.
• Avoid eating or drinking grapefruit juice while taking Amitriptyline .
• 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.
• 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.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Amitriptyline .

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Do not become overheated in hot weather or during exercise or other activities since heatstroke may occur.
• 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.
• 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.
• Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Amitriptyline .
• 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.
• 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 .

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:

Blurred vision; change in sexual desire or ability; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; tiredness; trouble sleeping; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

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.

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include flushing, fast or irregular heartbeat, dry mouth, drowsiness, confusion, agitation, enlarged pupils, seizures, loss of consciousness, hallucinations, stupor, mydriasis, hyperpyrexia, paralytic ileus, urinary retention, decreased GI motility, cardiovascular toxicity, rhabdomyolysis, renal failure, respiratory depression, cyanosis, shock, diaphoresis, aspiration, ARDS, hyperthermia, hypothermia, polyradiculoneuropathy, muscle rigidity, disorders of ocular motility, vomiting.

Proper storage of Amitriptyline :
Store Amitriptyline at room temperature, below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Amitriptyline out of the reach of children and away from pets.

• If you have any questions about Amitriptyline , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Amitriptyline is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• Do not use Amitriptyline for other health conditions.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
• If your symptoms do not improve after taking Amitriptyline for 4 weeks, inform your doctor.
• If using Amitriptyline for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Amitriptyline . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.