Treatment of depression and its effects. Amitriptyline is also a drug for patients with chronic pain. It also has other uses based on the assessment of the doctor.
Like other tricyclic antidepressants, Amitriptyline improves the symptoms of depression by correcting the balance of the chemicals in your brain such as norephinephrine and serotonin. These chemicals help improve the mood of the patient and cope with depression.
Do NOT use Amitriptyline if:
You have allergic effects to any component found in Amitriptyline.
Under monoamine oxidase inhibitor, (MAO) such as phenelzine and slegiline within a 14 day period.
Under drug treatments such as antihisamines, cisapride, dofetilide, droperidrol, fluoroquinolones, ketolides, macrolides, mibefradil, or pimozide. It is best to consult your doctor for related drugs that may affect your dosage of Amitriptyline.
Recovering from heart complications especially heart attack.
If you have experienced any of the circumstances above, seek the advice of your doctor to be fully briefed on the effects of Amitriptyline.
Before using Amitriptyline :
There are certain medical conditions that may coincide with your Amitriptyline dosage. Briefing your doctor about your current and past medical conditions will help him advise you of your dosage. Inform your doctor or pharmacist if these situations apply to you:
Pregnant, breast-feeding or considering having a baby
If you take prescription or non-prescription medicine as well herbal medicines and food supplement
Shown allergies to certain medicine, foreign substances, and food
If you had a case of ill effects such as bipolar disorder and manic depression
If you have suicidal tendencies in the past
If you are suffering from alcoholism or drink more than your fair share of alcohol
If you are experiencing heart complications such as irregular heartbeat, and glaucoma
If you have other serious conditions especially prostate problems, liver disease, thyroid disorder, and urinary retention
If you experienced seizures or epilepsy
There are certain medicines that combine their effects with Amitriptyline. These interactions may magnify or lessen side effects. Inform your doctor about medicines on this list.
MAO inhibitors such as phenelzine and selegiline - causes serious and life-endangering reactions. You must refrain from taking MAO inhibitors within the two week period under Amitriptyline.
Blurred vision, difficulty in urination, drowsiness, sedation, light headedness and dry mouth may occur with the combination of Amitriptyline and these drugs:
anticholinergics (e.g. scopolamine)
bupropion
cimetidine
fluconazole
phenothiazines (e.g. chlorpromazine)
SSRI's (e.g. Fluoxetine)
terbnafine
valproic acid
The combination of Amitriptyline and these drugs may cause very serious and life-threatening side effects such as racing of the heart, dizziness, fainting, abnormal heartbeat leading to unconsciousness, and lack of heartbeat:
antihistamines (e.g.diphenhydramine)
cisapride
dofetilide
droperidol
fluoroquinolones (e.g. ciprofloxacin)
ketolides (e.g.telithromycin)
macrolides (e.g. erythromycin)
mibefradil
pimozide
streptogramins (e.g. qinupristin/dalfopristin)
These drugs may have their side effects increased when combined with the effects of Amitriptyline:
carbamazepine
thyroid medicines (e.g. levothyroxin)
stimulants (e.g. albuterol, pseudophedrine)
Warfarin combined with Amitriptyline may induce serious bleeding.
Amitriptyline may also decrease the effectiveness of medicines such as guanethidine, guanfacine, and clonidine.
The list above does not cover all medicines that can provide interaction with Amitriptyline. It is crucial to review the different medications that you apply with your doctor so he can advise you to adjust your Amitriptyline dosage. Please remember that only the doctor can modify your dosage of any medicine.
How to use Amitriptyline :
Take in Amitriptyline with the full guidance of your doctor. Follow his instructions carefully or you can check the container of the medicine for the exact instructions.
An added patient sheet called Medication Guide is included with the label. If this becomes a routine medication for you, it is best to memorize the instructions or reread them every time you have Amitriptyline refilled.
ou can take this medication even if you have not eaten yet.
Do not eat or drink grapefruit juice as you take Amitriptyline.
It may take up to a month since the start of your medication for the effects of Amitriptyline to kick in. Only the doctor can stop or modify your dosage. Do not stop your medication even though you feel good. At the same time, do not miss any doses.
In the event that you missed to take Amitriptyline drink a dose as soon as you remember. However do not double dose if several hours have passed. Instead, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule.
Do not hesitate to ask your doctor if you have questions on how to take your medication. It is important to ask and know everything than pay the consequences of not knowing.
Important safety information:
Avoid physically demanding activities such as driving or operating machinery until you have adjusted to Amitriptyline. Amitriptyline may cause blurred vision, drowsiness, and dizziness. Driving while under the Amitriptyline may endanger your life.
Do not take drowse medicines such as sedatives and tranquilizers as they can double the effects of Amitriptyline. Ask your doctor for information about depressants.
Amitriptyline can induce dizziness and it can be an unpleasant and bothersome condition. You should find ways to adjust to dizziness such as sitting up or standing up slowly. Certain conditions can induce dizziness such as hot weather, exercise, and fever. Avoid alcoholic drinks when you take in Amitriptyline
Patients under the influence of Amitriptyline may experience involuntary movements. This usually happens to elders, especially elder women. Involuntary movement can happen in the face, jaw, tongue, or mouth. The longer the patient takes Amitriptyline, the more likely that the patient can develop involuntary movement. However, these symptoms can occur even after small doses. Consult your doctor about these effects so you know how to observe your condition.
Some patients taking Amitriptyline are more sensitive to the sun's rays. Do not expose yourself to the sun or ultraviolet rays. Apply preventive measures such as sunscreen and protective clothing.
Guard your body against heat stroke. If you are in a hot environment, find ways to cool down and control your body temperature.
Amitriptyline may affect the course of dental procedures or other medical procedures. Tell the attending physician that you are taking Amitriptyline before a dental treatment, emergency care, or surgery.
Elderly patients should be more guarded when they take Amitriptyline since they may be more sensitive to its effects such as lightheadedness when standing up, increased heart pace, difficulty in breathing and urination, and constipation.
Doctors advise women to reconsider pregnancy when under Amitriptyline medication. Amitriptyline may harm the fetus. Discuss the prospects of your pregnancy with medical counsel thoroughly. Understand the pluses and the negatives of Amitriptyline for pregnant women. Amitriptyline can also lie on breast milk. Therefore, avoid breast feeding if you are under medication.
Possible side effects of Amitriptyline :
Medicine causes various side effects. An individual may have different reaction to the medicine which can be peculiar and unusual at times. However, most people do not experience side effects. Side effects that are common can be caused by Amitriptyline include the following:
Unusual Skin Sensations; Anxiety; Black Tongue; Blurred Vision; Clumsiness; Constipation; Diarrhea; Disturbed concentration; Dizziness; Drowsiness; Dry mouth; Excitement; Fever; Hair loss; Headache; Heartburn; Hives; Loss of Coordination; Eye Pressure Increase; Tongue inflammation; Irritability; Itching; Loss of appetite; Mood swings; Nausea; Nightmares; Numbness; Rash; Restlessness; Sensitivity to Sunlight; Sleeplessness; Sweating; Sore throat; Tearing; Tingling; Upset Stomach; Urinary Retention; Urinary Tract Dilation; Vomiting; Weakness; Weight gain
There are also complicated side effects that one may experience with Amitriptyline. It is important to consult your doctor when these things happen:
Severe allergic reactions; Confusion; Delusions; Disorientation; Fast heartbeat; Fainting; Hallucinations; Yellowing of the skin or eyes
What is the shelf life of the pills?
The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.
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