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Amitid (Generic Amitriptyline)

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WARNING

During clinical investigations, a tiny number of kids, teenagers, and young adults (up to 24 years old) who took antidepressants (also known as “mood lifters”) like amitriptyline experienced suicide thoughts (thinking about harming or killing oneself or planning or trying to do so). Children, teenagers, and young adults who take antidepressants to treat depression or other mental diseases may have a higher risk of committing suicide than those who do not take these medications. However, experts disagree on how significant this risk is and how much it has to be taken into account when determining whether or not a kid or adolescent should take an antidepressant. Amitriptyline is often not recommended for use in children under the age of 18, although in some circumstances, a doctor may determine that it is the best treatment option for a child’s illness.

Even if you are an adult above the age of 24, you should be aware that taking amitriptyline or other antidepressants may cause your mental health to shift in unforeseen ways. Suicidal thoughts may come to mind, especially at the start of treatment and whenever your dose is changed. Any of the following symptoms should prompt you, your family, or your carer to call your doctor immediately away: Depression that is either new or getting worse, thoughts of self-harm or suicide, plans or attempts to do so, excessive worry, agitation, panic attacks, trouble falling or staying asleep, aggressive behaviour, irritability, acting without thinking, extreme restlessness, and frenzied abnormal excitement. When you are unable to seek treatment on your own, make sure your family or carer knows which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor.

While you are taking amitriptyline, your doctor will want to see you frequently, especially at the start of your treatment. Be sure to show up for all of your doctor’s appointment times.

When you start your amitriptyline therapy, your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer’s patient information leaflet (Medication Guide). If you have any questions, carefully read the material and contact your doctor or pharmacist. The FDA website also offers the Medication Guide.

No of your age, you, your parent, or your carer should discuss the advantages and disadvantages of treating your disease with an antidepressant or with alternative treatments with your doctor before starting an antidepressant. The dangers and advantages of not treating your ailment should also be discussed. You should be aware that your chance of committing suicide is significantly increased if you suffer from depression or any mental disorder. This risk is increased if you or a family member currently has, or previously had, bipolar disorder (depression followed by periods of extreme excitement) or mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood), or if you have ever considered or tried suicide. Discuss your ailment, symptoms, and personal and family medical history with your doctor. What kind of treatment is best for you will be decided by both you and your doctor.

Why is this medication prescribed?

Amitriptyline is a drug that is used to treat depressive symptoms. Amitriptyline is a member of the tricyclic antidepressant class of medications. It works by increasing the brain’s concentration of specific organic substances that are necessary for preserving mental stability.

How should this medicine be used?

Oral tablets of amitriptyline are readily available. It is typically taken one to four times daily. It is recommended to take amitriptyline at roughly the same time each day (s). Any directions on your prescription label that you are unclear about following, ask your doctor or pharmacist to clarify. Apply amitriptyline exactly as directed. Never take it more often, in bigger doses, or less frequently than prescribed by your doctor.

You’ll most likely start taking amitriptyline at a low dose from your doctor, who will then likely gradually raise it.

You might not see amitriptyline’s full benefits for a few weeks or longer. Taking amitriptyline is still recommended even if you feel OK. Without consulting your doctor, do not discontinue taking amitriptyline. You can have withdrawal symptoms like nausea, headaches, and low energy if you stop taking amitriptyline abruptly. Your dose will likely be gradually reduced by your doctor.

Other uses for this medicine

Amitriptyline is also used to treat eating disorders, post-herpetic neuralgia (the sharp, stabbing pains or aches that can persist for months or years after shingles infection), and migraine headache prevention. Discuss the potential dangers of using this medicine for your illness with your doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking amitriptyline,

  • If you have an allergy to amitriptyline or any other medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know right away.
  • Inform your doctor if you are currently taking any monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including cisapride (Propulsid) (not sold in the United States), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate), or if you have taken an MAO inhibitor within the previous 14 You should avoid using amitriptyline, according to your doctor.
  • Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you’re using. Incorporate any of the following: medications for irregular heartbeats like flecainide (Tambocor) and propafenone (Rythmol); drugs for anxiety, asthma, colds, irritable bowel syndrome, mental illness, nausea, Parkinson’s disease, seizures, ulcers, or urinary problems; cimetidine (Tagamet); diet pills; disulfiram (Antabuse); guanethidine (Ismelin); ipratropium (Atrovent); quinidine (Quinidex); o ther antidepressants, phenobarbital (Bellatal, Solfoton), sedatives, sleeping pills, thyroid drugs, tranquillizers, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft). If you haven’t taken fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem) in the last five weeks, let your doctor or pharmacist know. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
  • If you’ve suffered a heart attack recently, let your doctor know. Most likely, your doctor will advise against using amitriptyline.
  • Inform your physician if you consume a lot of alcohol, suffer from or have ever suffered from glaucoma (an eye condition), an enlarged prostate (a male reproductive gland), a hard time urinating, seizures, hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland), diabetes, schizophrenia (a mental illness that causes disturbed or unusual thinking, loss of interest in life, and strong or inappropriate emotions), liver, kidney, or heart disease.
  • If you are pregnant or want to become pregnant, let your doctor know. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking amitriptyline. If you are taking amitriptyline, avoid breastfeeding.
  • If you are 65 years of age or older, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using this medicine with your doctor. Amitriptyline is typically not recommended for usage in older individuals because it is not as reliable or efficient for treating the same disease.
  • You should let your doctor or dentist know that you are taking amitriptyline if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.
  • You should be aware that amitriptyline may cause you to feel sleepy. Prior to understanding how this drug affects you, avoid using machinery or driving a car.
  • Keep in mind that drinking alcohol can increase the drowsiness brought on by this drug.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

There may be negative effects from amitriptyline. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Drowsiness
  • Weakness or exhaustion
  • Nightmares
  • Headaches
  • Mouth ache
  • Constipation
  • Having trouble urinating
  • Distorted vision
  • Having tingling, burning, or pain in your hands or feet
  • Alterations in sex ability or drive
  • Excessive perspiration
  • Alterations in weight or appetite
  • Confusion
  • Unsteadiness

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you suffer any of the following symptoms or those detailed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section:

  • Slow or challenging speech
  • Unsteadiness or weakness
  • An arm or a leg that is weak or numb
  • Intense chest ache
  • Irregular, hammering, or quick heartbeat
  • Severe hives or a skin rash
  • Swelling in the mouth and face
  • The skin or eyes turning yellow
  • Muscle spasms in the jaw, neck, and back
  • Body part shaking that is uncontrollable
  • Fainting
  • Uncommon bruising or bleeding
  • Seizures
  • Hallucinating (seeing things or hearing sounds and voices that do not exist)

Other negative effects of amitriptyline are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

In case of emergency/overdose

In the event of an overdose, dial 1-800-222-1222 to contact poison control. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the person has fallen, had a seizure, is having trouble breathing, or cannot be awakened, immediately dial 911.

Overdose symptoms could include:

  • Abnormal heartbeat
  • Seizures
  • Coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time)
  • Confusion
  • Difficulties concentrating
  • Hallucinating (seeing things or hearing sounds and voices  that do not exist)
  • Agitation
  • Drowsiness
  • Stiff muscles
  • Vomiting
  • Fever
  • Body temperature is low

What other information should I know?

Keep all of your appointments with the lab and your doctor. Your doctor could ask for particular lab tests to figure out how your body is responding to amitriptyline.

You shouldn’t let anyone else take your medicine. Your pharmacist should be contacted with any questions you may have about medicine refills.

Every medication you take, including over-the-counter (OTC) goods, prescription medications, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals, should be documented. When visiting a doctor or being admitted to the hospital, you should always have this list with you. In case of an emergency, you should always carry this information with you.

Brand names

  • Amitid®
  • Amitril®
  • Elavil®
  • Endep®
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