Get Informed: Amitriptyline
Active Ingredient(s)
Amitriptyline
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of depression. Its mechanism of action is not well understood.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Sep-02 9:18 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Sep-02 9:01 PM
Other Names
- Amitriptyline
- Elavil
- Amitriptyline HCl
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category
- C
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior when used in children and adolescents with depression.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 07 Apr 1961
- Est US Patients*
- 1,624,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Amitriptyline or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Amitriptyline
There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Amitriptyline during the past year.
Amitriptyline Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Amitriptyline interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Amitriptyline used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 12,200 patients that use Amitriptyline (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Insomnia | 37% |
mild
severe
|
| Migraine/Headache | 33% |
mild
severe
|
| Fibromyalgia | 25% |
mild
severe
|
| Neuropathic Pain | 21% |
mild
severe
|
| Depression | 17% |
mild
severe
|
| Anxiety | 15% |
mild
severe
|
| Back/Neck Pain | 15% |
mild
severe
|
| Restless Leg Syndrome | 11% |
mild
severe
|
| Pain-Generalized | 11% |
mild
severe
|
| Irritable Bowel | 5% |
mild
severe
|
| Osteoarthritis | 2% |
mild
severe
|
| Other | 4% |
mild
severe
|
How well does Amitriptyline work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 12,200 users taking Amitriptyline (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM). This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 83%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Amitriptyline outweigh the bad things.
- 12%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Amitriptyline.
Common Side Effects of Amitriptyline
iGuard regularly polls our more than 12,200 users taking Amitriptyline (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
36% of patients experience side-effects on Amitriptyline
7% of patients experience significant side-effects on Amitriptyline
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Dryness
-
Grogginess/Confusion
-
Drowsiness
-
Weight Gain
-
Fatigue
-
Dizziness
-
Increased Appetite
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Constipation, Diarrhea, Hallucinations, Tics/Twitches
Global Patient Feedback for Amitriptyline ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I've had severe headaches and back pain following an accident.
After two and a half years I've finally received some relief and the ability to sleep more with amitriptyline. So far, no side effects have been evident,
60 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-08-11 20:49:26
Question/Comment:
I have been taking Amitriptyline 50 mg. for a few months only at bedtime. For the past few nights, I have been awaken by really bad coughing. I feel as though I have a chest infection or something going on -- coughing up gunk. Has anyone out there at iGuard.org experienced coughing at night? Has your doctor prescribed anything for this annoying problem?
48 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-08-04 13:12:46
Member Answer/Reply:
I have experienced coughing at night. I, too, am taking 50 mg. only at bedtime since August 2009. I keep a few sugarless cough drops at my bedside table just in case I get a coughing jag. Perhaps the coughing at night could be caused by some other medication; particularly, a blood pressure medication. I'm on Norvasc 10 mg. a day. That could be a contributing factor to the late night cough. Please see your doctor; ask questions; take charge of your health.
48 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-08-17 19:31:34
Question/Comment:
I was taking Amitriptyline for migraines for about 2-1/2 months and noticed cramping and spasms in my right arm which I read was one of the side affects. I slowly stopped using it in May 2010 and still experience the spasms and cramps that become very uncomfortable. I was told that it would go away after taking Amitriptyline but so far I'm still having them. Is this long term and should I be alarmed?
43 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-07-15 23:59:27
iGuard Answer/Reply:
If you are still experiencing cramps in your arm and other symptoms, it would be best to talk to your doctor about your symptoms. It may still take some more time for the symptoms to stop if they are caused by the amitriptyline, but it is a good idea to make sure there is not another underlying condition causing your symptoms.
Posted: 2010-07-28 00:02:53
Question/Comment:
Do you need to wean yourself if you are taking 25mg for about 5 or 6 weeks? I am taking it for lupus/fibro and it does not seem to be woking as much as before.
40 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-06-29 21:23:23
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Amitriptyline does not normally need a weaning period. It is important, however, not to change your medications without first talking with your physician. If the medication does not seem to be working as well as before, there may have been a change in your condition or you may need an adjustment to your medicine. You should make an appointment with your physician to evaluate your symptoms and medication regimen.
Posted: 2010-07-12 15:38:39
Question/Comment:
Has anyone experienced hot urine since taking Amitriptyline? Is that a possible side effect?
48 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-06-13 18:20:09
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
160
Patient Comments About
Amitriptyline