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. If you can’t get medical help on your own, make sure your family or caretaker is aware of any symptoms that might be significant 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. Make sure to show up for all of your doctor’s appointment times.

As 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. Your illness, symptoms, and personal and family medical history should all be discussed with your doctor. The best course of therapy for you will be decided by you and your doctor.

The medication amitriptyline is used to treat depressive symptoms. Amitriptyline belongs to the group of drugs known as tricyclic antidepressants. It functions by raising the levels of specific organic compounds in the brain that are essential for maintaining mental equilibrium.

Amitriptyline is available as an oral tablet. Typically, it is taken one to four times each day. Amitriptyline should be taken every day at about the same time(s). Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Provide amitriptyline precisely as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Most likely, your doctor will start you on a low dose of amitriptyline and then gradually increase 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.

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.

Before taking amitriptyline,

• If you have a medicine allergy, be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know right away.
• Inform your doctor if you are currently taking cisapride (Propulsid), monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate), or if you have recently taken an MAO inhibitor. You should avoid using amitriptyline, according to your doctor.
• Inform your physician and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are using. Any of the following should be mentioned: Dietary supplements, cimetidine (Tagamet), disulfiram (Antabuse), guanethidine (Ismelin), ipratropium (Atrovent), quinidine (Quinidex), antihistamines; drugs for anxiety, asthma, colds, irritable bowel disease, mental illness, nausea, Parkinson’s disease, seizures, ulcers, or urinary issues; drugs for irregular heartbeats include flecainide (Tambocor) and propafenone (Rythmol); phenobarbital (Bellatal, Solfoton), sedatives, additional antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft); tranquillizers, thyroid medicines, and sleeping pills. 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 doctor 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 plan 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 worsen the drowsiness brought on by this drug.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

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.

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 fatigue
• Nightmares
• Headaches
• Mouth ache
• Constipation
• Having trouble urinating
• Fuzzy vision
• Hands or feet tingling, burning, or pain
• Alterations in sex drive or capacity
• Excessive perspiration
• Modifications to appetite or weight
• Confusion
• Unsteadiness

Some adverse effects may be severe. Call your doctor right away if you see any of the symptoms below or those in the IMPORTANT CAUTION section:

• Slow or challenging speech
• Faintness or dizziness
• 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
• Eyes or skin that have a yellow tint
• 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 voices that do not exist)

Further 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).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep 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 Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Although 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

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose symptoms could consist of:

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

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To determine how your body is responding to amitriptyline, your doctor may request specific lab tests.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.