What is Amitriptyline: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Amitriptyline

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Please read it before taking your first doses.

• Amitriptyline tablets can be taken with or without food.

• Swallow tablets whole with a glass of water.

• If daytime sleepiness is a problem, the entire day’s dose can be taken at bedtime. However, talk to the doctor first.

  • In some people, amitriptyline can act as a stimulant. In those cases, the entire day’s dose can be taken in the morning.

• Store the medicine in a closed, light-resistant container at room temperature.

What to do if you miss a dose of Amitriptyline

• Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take the next dose as scheduled. 

• Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Amitriptyline contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. 

• Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to amitriptyline.

• Amitriptyline is not recommended in people recovering from a heart attack.

Amitriptyline warnings

• Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.

• Your doctor will do lab tests regularly to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine increases the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. It may worsen existing mental or emotional problems. Talk with your doctor right away if you notice any thoughts or behavior changes that concern you. 

• Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has a history of bipolar disorder, other mental illnesses, or suicide attempts.

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Tell your doctor if you have:

  • Liver disease

  • Heart disease

  • Diabetes

  • Glaucoma

  • Seizures

  • Trouble urinating

• This medicine may cause the following problems: 

  • Heart rhythm problems

  • Changes in blood sugar levels

• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Amitriptyline interactions

• To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you use before taking amitriptyline.

• Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.

• Do not use this medicine and an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) within 14 days of each other.

• Do not use this medicine with the antipsychotic drug cisapride.

• People taking an SSRI antidepressant may need to go off the medicine for a few days before they can start taking amitriptyline.

• Some medicines and foods can affect how amitriptyline works or increase the risk or severity of side effects. Tell your doctor if you are taking:

  • Other antidepressants

  • Anticholinergic drugs

  • Heart rhythm drugs

  • Antipsychotic drugs

  • Phenothiazine drugs

  • Cimetidine

  • Guanfacine

• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

Find more detailed information about amitriptyline interactions to avoid here.