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AMITRIPTYLINE (a mee TRIP ti leen) treats depression. It increases the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, substances that help regulate mood. It belongs to a group of medications called tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
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Take this medication by mouth with a drink of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take the tablets with or without food. Take your medication at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed. Do not stop taking this medication suddenly except upon the advice of your care team. Stopping this medication too quickly may cause serious side effects or your condition may worsen.
A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.
Talk to your care team regarding the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
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Do not take this medication with any of the following:
-Arsenic trioxide
-Certain medications used to regulate abnormal heartbeat or to treat other heart conditions
-Cisapride
-Droperidol
-Halofantrine
-Linezolid
-MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
-Methylene blue
-Other medications for mental depression
-Phenothiazines like perphenazine, thioridazine and chlorpromazine
-Pimozide
-Probucol
-Procarbazine
-Sparfloxacin
-St. John's Wort
This medication may also interact with the following:
-Atropine and related medications like hyoscyamine, scopolamine, tolterodine and others
-Barbiturate medications for inducing sleep or treating seizures, like phenobarbital
-Cimetidine
-Disulfiram
-Ethchlorvynol
-Thyroid hormones such as levothyroxine
-Ziprasidone
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
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Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. It may take several weeks to see the full effects of this medication, and it is important to continue your treatment as prescribed by your care team. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not get better or if they get worse.
Patients and their families should watch out for new or worsening thoughts of suicide or depression. Also watch out for sudden changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose, call your care team.
This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects.
Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, or allergies while you are taking this medication without asking your care team for advice. Some ingredients can increase possible side effects.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your care team if the problem does not go away or is severe.
This medication may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses, you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating eye drops may help. See your care team if the problem does not go away or is severe.
This medication can cause constipation. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days, call your care team.
This medication can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps, tanning beds, or tanning booths.
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If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
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Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
-Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
-Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing
-Irritability, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat, muscle stiffness, twitching muscles, sweating, high fever, seizure, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, which may be signs of serotonin syndrome
-Sudden eye pain or change in vision such as blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss
-Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
-Change in sex drive or performance
-Constipation
-Dizziness
-Drowsiness
-Dry mouth
-Tremors or shaking
-Weight gain
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date.
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
DISCLAIMER: This drug information content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients should always consult their physician with any questions regarding a medical condition and to obtain medical advice and treatment. Drug information is sourced from GSDD (Gold Standard Drug Database ) provided by Elsevier.
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