Amitriptyline Side Effects

Serious Side Effects of Amitriptyline

• An increase in thoughts of suicide or depression
• Difficulty sleeping, increased anger or agitation, feeling like you can't sit still, feeling restless mentally, abnormal changes in mood or behavior, and unexplained anxiety or panic attacks
• Constant acid reflex
• Easy bruising, abnormal bleeding, or small spots under the skin
• Chest pain and tightness, pain in the arm/shoulder, feeling uneasy, sweating and nauseousness
• Changes in vision, slurred speech or rapid speech, confusion, migraine and inability to balance
• Seizures (convulsions)
• Extreme numbness of one side of the body
• Allergic reaction: Hives, inflammation of the mouth, tongue throat or face, rash, fever, or trouble breathing
• Hallucinating
• Faintness or passing out
• Uncontrollable movements, jittering or twitching in your jaw, neck, eyes or mouth
• Abnormal heartbeat or rapid heartbeat
• Strong pain in abdomen

Common side effects of Amitriptyline

• Constipation or difficulty urinating
• Rapid weight gain
• Fatigue
• Inability to focus
• Dryness of the mouth or strange taste
• Dizziness
• Bad dreams
• Enlargment of the breasts in both men and women
• Blurry vision or ringing in ears
• Decreased libido (desire to have sex), or inability to have sex

Warnings & Recalls for Amitriptyline

Black Box Warning

In some studies, children, teenagers and young adults who have taken antidepressants have shown an increase in suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients should be carefully monitored for any changes in mood or behavior while taking this medication, particularly in the initial stages of treatment. Amitriptyline may cause a rare but serious condition know as  serotonin syndrome, which is the potentially lethal buildup of serotonin in the brain. Call your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms:

• Confusion
• Rapid heart beat
• Feeling angry or agitated
• Headache
• Increased sweating
• Shaking
• Diarrhea

Amitriptyline is a pregnancy Category C medication. The FDA states that it is unknown if Amitriptyline may cause harm to a fetus. Do not take Amitriptyline if you are breast-feeding. Amitriptyline should not be given to anyone under the age of 12 without consent from a doctor. Do not drink alcohol while taking Amitriptyline. Avoid sunlight while taking Amitriptyline as you may become sensitive to light. Before taking Amitriptyline, let your doctor know if  you:

• are allergic to any other antidepressants
• are pregnant, breast-feeding or may become pregnant
• have heart disease or any heart disorders
• have other mental/mood disorders
• have diabetes
• ever had a heart attack or stroke
• have a history of seizures
• have trouble urinating
• have glaucoma
• have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) causing agitation, increased sweating, frequent bowel movements, anxiousness or rapid weight loss
• are taking any other medications

Notify your doctor or surgeon if you are taking Amitriptyline and are planning on having surgery.

Amitriptyline Treatment and Use

Amitriptyline | Endep, Elavil is a generic tricylic antidepressant used to treat the harmful effects of depression and other mental or mood disorders. Amitriptyline has been shown to benefit patients in the following areas:

• Improving the ability to sleep
• Increasing feelings of happiness or general sense of well-being
• Decreasing anxiousness or nervousness
• Making patients more active

Off-label uses may be prescribed to you by your doctor. Do not take Amitriptyline for any of the following unless your doctor has told you to do so:

• Treating bulimia
• Reducing nerve pain
• Decreasing or preventing pain from migraines
• Treating mental or mood illnesses other than depression

How Does Amitriptyline Work?

Amitriptyline treats depression by altering and raising the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, and preventing them from being reabsorbed by the body. Amitriptyline increases the amount of these chemicals and other nerve cells- which have been shown to improve mood- which decreases the symptoms of depression.

Amitriptyline Dosage Information

During the beginning stages of Amitriptyline treatment, it could take up to 4 weeks for symptoms of depression to decrease. Do not take more than recommended by your doctor or for a longer period of time than instructed. Do not suddenly stop taking Amitriptyline, as it may cause a withdrawal.

 

Other Names for Amitriptyline

Brand name:

• Tryptomer


• Elavil


• Tryptizol


• Laroxyl


• Sarotex


• Lentizol


• Endep

Generic name:

• Amitriptyline

Lawsuits & Legal Information for Amitriptyline