What we know about Amitriptyline.

uses of Amitriptyline Amitriptyline is used to treat mental/mood problems such as depression. It may help improve mood and feelings of well-being, relieve anxiety and tension, help we sleep better, and increase your energy level. Amitriptyline belongs to a class of medications called tricyclic antidepressants. It works by affecting balance of certain natural chemicals ( neurotransmitters ) in brain.

how to use of Amitriptyline Read the Medication Guide available from your pharmacist. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Take Amitriptyline by mouth, usually 1 to 3 times daily or as directed by your doctor. If we take it only once a day, take it at bedtime to help reduce daytime sleepiness. The dosage is based on your age, medical condition and response to therapy. Your doctor may start you at a low dose and gradually increase your dose over several weeks. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.

Amitriptyline does not work right away. It may take up to 2 to 3 weeks before we experience the full benefits.

Use Amitriptyline regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at same times each day.

It's important to continue taking Amitriptyline even if we feel well. Do not suddenly stop taking Amitriptyline without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when drug is abruptly stopped. Muscle aches, headaches and worsening anxiety may also occur. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens ( e. g. , your feelings of sadness get worse, or we have thoughts of suicide ) .

other used of Amitriptyline This section contains uses of Amitriptyline that are not listed in approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use Amitriptyline for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

Amitriptyline may also be used to treat other mental/mood problems ( e. g. , anxiety, bipolar disorder ) , certain types of pain ( e. g. , peripheral neuropathy, neuropathic pain ) , eating disorders ( e. g. , bulimia ) , and trouble sleeping, or to prevent migraine headache.

side effects of Amitriptyline See also Warning section.

Drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, fast heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, changes in taste, weight gain, tiredness, or trouble urinating may occur while use Amitriptyline. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

To relieve dry mouth, suck on ( sugarless ) hard candy or ice chips, chew ( sugarless ) gum, drink water, or use a saliva substitute.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed Amitriptyline because he or she has judged that benefit to you is greater than risk of side effects. Many people using Amitriptyline don't have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur:

A very serious allergic reaction to Amitriptyline is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include:

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

precautions of Amitriptyline See also Warning section.

Before taking Amitriptyline, tell your doctor or pharmacist if we are allergic to it, or to other tricyclic antidepressants ( e. g. , nortriptyline ) , or if we have any other allergies.

Amitriptyline shouldn't be used if we have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if we have:

Before using Amitriptyline, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

Amitriptyline may make we drowsy or dizzy or cause blurred vision; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness or clear vision such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages.

To minimize dizziness and risk of fainting, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that we are taking Amitriptyline.

Amitriptyline may make you more sensitive to sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps. Wear sunblock ( SPF 30 or greater ) and a hat when outdoors.

If we have diabetes, Amitriptyline may increase your blood sugar levels. Check your blood sugar levels regularly as directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor immediately if we have symptoms such as increased thirst/urination, shakiness, unusual sweating, or hunger. Your anti-diabetic medication or diet may need to be adjusted.

Depression can lead to thoughts/attempts of suicide. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any suicidal thoughts, worsening depression, or any other mental/mood changes ( including new or worsening anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, hostile/angry feelings, impulsive actions, severe restlessness, rapid speech ) . Keep all medical appointments so your doctor can monitor your progress closely and adjust your medication if needed.

Caution is advised when using Amitriptyline in elderly because they may be more sensitive to its side effects, especially dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty urinating.

Caution is advised when using Amitriptyline in children. ( See also Warning section. )

Amitriptyline should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

Amitriptyline passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breast-feeding while using Amitriptyline is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

interactions of Amitriptyline Your healthcare professionals ( e. g. , doctor or pharmacist ) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring we for it. Don't start, stop or change dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Amitriptyline shouldn't be used with the following medications because very serious ( possibly fatal ) interactions may occur:

Avoid taking MAO inhibitors within 2 weeks before and after treatment with Amitriptyline. In some cases a serious, possibly fatal drug interaction may occur while use Amitriptyline.

If you're currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Amitriptyline.

Other drugs besides Amitriptyline that may affect heart rhythm ( QT prolongation in EKG ) include pimozide, cisapride, halofantrine, disopyramide, grepafloxacin and sparfloxacin, among others. Before using Amitriptyline, report all medications we are currently using to your doctor or pharmacist. QT prolongation can infrequently result in serious ( rarely fatal ) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms ( e. g. , severe dizziness, fainting ) that require immediate medical attention. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details and for instructions on how we may reduce risk of this effect.

Before using Amitriptyline, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of:

If you have been taking fluoxetine, wait at least 5 weeks before starting Amitriptyline.

Cigarette smoking decreases blood levels of this medication. Tell your doctor if we smoke or if we have recently stopped smoking.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if we also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as:

Check labels on all your medicines ( e. g. , cough-and-cold products ) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients. Ask your pharmacist about safe use of those products.

Also report use of drugs which might increase seizure risk ( decrease seizure threshold ) when combined with Amitriptyline ( e. g. , bupropion, isoniazid ( INH ) , theophylline, tramadol, among others ) .

Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.

This document doesn't contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using Amitriptyline, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all products we use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

overdose of Amitriptyline If overdose of Amitriptyline is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe dizziness, hallucinations, fast/irregular heartbeat, fainting, widened pupils, muscle stiffness, seizures.

notes of Amitriptyline Don't share Amitriptyline with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests ( e. g. , kidney function, Amitriptyline blood level ) may be performed from time to time to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Keep all medical appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.

missed dose of Amitriptyline If we miss a dose Amitriptyline, take it as soon as we remember. If it's near time of next dose, skip missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Don't double dose of Amitriptyline to catch up.

storage of Amitriptyline Store Amitriptyline at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F ( 15-30 degrees C ) away from light and moisture. Don't store Amitriptyline in bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Properly discard Amitriptyline when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

warning of Amitriptyline Antidepressant medications are used to treat a variety of conditions, including depression and other mental/mood disorders. These medications can help prevent suicidal thoughts/attempts and provide other important benefits. However, studies have shown that a small number of people ( especially children/teenagers ) who take antidepressants for any condition may experience worsening depression, other mental/mood symptoms, or suicidal thoughts/attempts. Therefore, it's very important to talk with doctor about risks and benefits of antidepressant medication ( especially for children/teenagers ) , even if treatment isn't for a mental/mood condition. Tell doctor immediately if we notice worsening depression/other psychiatric conditions, unusual behavior changes ( including possible suicidal thoughts/attempts ) , or other mental/mood changes ( including new/worsening anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, hostile/angry feelings, impulsive actions, severe restlessness, very rapid speech ) . Be especially watchful for these symptoms when a new antidepressant is started or when dose is changed.

Delivery options for Amitriptyline

Needing Drug Detox Is Not The Only Downside of Prescription Drug Addiction

Looking over current news about opioid painkiller OxyContin, we can see there is not much change today from any other day in last year or so. This is a drug that, despite its usefulness for helping serious chronic pain sufferers, has created a dark side of prescription drug addiction and crime, and led thousands of people to need drug detox, if not an undertaker.

If anyone doubts that we've a problem in America with crime connected to narcotic prescription drug addiction, just take a look at today's top headlines about OxyContin, as reported by Google news. The name of the drug mayn't appear in every headline, but stories are all about OxyContin:

Alleged OxyContin thief arrested

Mesa man tricked into arrest; aspirin switched for OxyContin

Wheelchair-bound man robbed by gunman seeking painkillers

OxyContin Drug Bust in Owen Sound

Sevierville pharmacy robbed of OxyContin

Police seeking suspect in Sevierville OxyContin robbery

Former court worker held in OxyContin sale

Police seize contraband cigarettes, OxyContin and firearms

A closely related painkiller called oxycodone is experiencing a similar notoriety, sending thousands into drug detox and rehab, hospitals and prisons. Here are today's headlines about oxycodone. As above with OxyContin, word " oxycodone " may not appear in headlines but the stories concern it:

San Diego Area Pharmacies Involved in Prescription Drugs Improprieties

Noblesville doctor faces federal charges

Durham police arrest 63 in drug sting

North Wildwood doctor pleads not guilty to drug and insurance fraud

Local Doctor Loses Appeal

E. Idaho woman faces prescription drug theft charges

Mother & daughter attacked outside N. Memphis home

Swampscott cop was on duty during probe

Alleged pill thief nabbed by police after entering pharmacy

Also in headlines: A man in Arkansas was in court yesterday on manslaughter charges for crossing center line and crashing into and killing an innocent 86-year-old woman - a cousin of former president Bill Clinton. The man was high on Lortab, an opioid painkiller similar to Vicodin, and Xanax, an anti-anxiety drug popular with drug abusers these days. Xanax, for example, can create serious dependence, and victims generally require drug detox to get off it safely. Another story tells how a mother and daughter were assaulted outside their home by a drug-seeking criminal who followed them home from the drug store.

The point we are making here is that not only are opioid painkillers like OxyContin and oxycodone causing prescription drug addiction and sending people to drug detox, there's also a vast and growing underworld of crime surrounding many prescription drugs - narcotic painkillers, tranquilizers, antidepressants, antipsychotics - list goes on. And there are increasing incidents of accidents like car crashes, falls, accidental overdoses, and far too many serious injuries and deaths connected to abuse and misuse of prescription drugs - either to drug user or to innocent bystanders. And remember that dangerous prescription drugs are routinely stolen from other family members and friends, far more often than at gunpoint in pharmacies.

Prescription drugs have their uses, but they have their dangers and abuses. To avoid accidents, dependencies, addictions, the need for drug detox, or becoming victim of a crime, take a few moments and make sure that we fully understand the dosages, side effects and potential risks of your prescriptions, and that your prescription drugs are safely locked up or hidden from prying eyes. And if we or someone we know has any kind of problem at all with a prescription drug, consult a drug detox counselor right away - because a drug detox program may be right, and only, solution to prevent disaster.

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Radiology and Children: Extra Care Required. Image Gently, a campaign launched this year, aims to raise awareness about opportunities to lower the radiation dose during the medical imaging of children.

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FDA Approves Drug-Eluting Heart Stent. FDA has approved The Endeavor Zotarolimus-Eluting Coronary Stent, manufactured by Medtronic, Inc., of Minneapolis. It's the first drug-eluting stent that FDA has approved since 2004

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Doctors extract cancer cells from blood sample. An experimental process that snags lung cancer cells from a blood sample could give doctors real-time feedback on the most effective therapy, researchers reported on Wednesday.

German upper house wants changes to assisted suicide laws. The German upper house passed a motion on Friday calling for laws on assisted suicide to be tightened after a former politician caused outrage by helping an elderly woman to die.

Experts eye cheap fertility treatment for poor. A new fertility treatment costing less than $200 could help many infertile women in the developing world escape the physical abuse and social stigma of not being able to have children, experts said on Monday.

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More sex means less chance of ED for older men. There's new advice for older men who want to preserve their sexual function: have sex, and have it often, researchers say.