amitriptyline drug info

What is the most important information I should know about amitriptyline?
• It may be 4 weeks or more before you start to feel better, but do notstop taking amitriptyline without first talking to your doctor amitriptyline drug info.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities amitriptyline drug info. Amitriptyline may cause drowsiness or dizziness amitriptyline drug info. If you experiencedrowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities amitriptyline drug info.
• Dizziness is likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position amitriptyline drug info. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall amitriptyline drug info.
• Use alcohol cautiously amitriptyline drug info. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizzinesswhile you are taking amitriptyline amitriptyline drug info.

What is amitriptyline?
• Amitriptyline is in a class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants amitriptyline drug info. Amitriptyline affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced andcause depression amitriptyline drug info.
• Amitriptyline is used to relieve symptoms of depression such as feelingsof sadness, worthlessness, or guilt; loss of interest in daily activities; changesin appetite; tiredness; sleeping too much; insomnia; and thoughts of death orsuicide amitriptyline drug info. Amitriptyline is also sometimes used to treat certain types of pain amitriptyline drug info.
• Amitriptyline may also be used for purposes other than those listed inthis medication guide amitriptyline drug info.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amitriptyline?
• Do not take amitriptyline if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitorsuch as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate)within the last 14 days amitriptyline drug info.
• Before taking amitriptyline, tell your doctor if you have
· liver disease;
· kidney disease;
· asthma;
· thyroid disease;
· diabetes;
· stomach or intestinal problems;
· high blood pressure or heart disease;
· had a heart attack in the last 6 weeks;
· an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating; or
· glaucoma amitriptyline drug info.
• You may not be able to take amitriptyline, or you may require a dosageadjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditionslisted above amitriptyline drug info.
• Amitriptyline may be harmful to an unborn baby amitriptyline drug info. Do not take amitriptylinewithout first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnantduring treatment amitriptyline drug info.
• Amitriptyline passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby amitriptyline drug info. Do not take amitriptyline without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feedinga baby amitriptyline drug info.
• If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experienceside effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, unsteadiness, feeling uncoordinated,and low blood pressure amitriptyline drug info. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication amitriptyline drug info.

How should I take amitriptyline?
• Take amitriptyline exactly as directed by your doctor amitriptyline drug info. If you do notunderstand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explainthem to you amitriptyline drug info.
• Take each dose with a full glass (8 oz) of water amitriptyline drug info.
• Amitriptyline may be taken several times a day or in one daily dose (usuallyat bedtime) amitriptyline drug info. Follow your doctor's instructions amitriptyline drug info.
• Do not stop taking amitriptyline suddenly amitriptyline drug info. This could cause symptomssuch as nausea, headache, and malaise amitriptyline drug info.
• It may be 4 weeks or more before you start to feel better, but do notstop taking amitriptyline without first talking to your doctor amitriptyline drug info.
• Store amitriptyline at room temperature away from moisture and heat amitriptyline drug info.

What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember amitriptyline drug info. If it is almost time forthe next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next oneas directed amitriptyline drug info. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directedby your doctor amitriptyline drug info.

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention amitriptyline drug info.
• Symptoms of an amitriptyline overdose include seizures, confusion, drowsiness,agitation, hallucinations, and low blood pressure (dizziness, fatigue, fainting) amitriptyline drug info.

What should I avoid while taking amitriptyline?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities amitriptyline drug info. Amitriptyline may cause drowsiness or dizziness amitriptyline drug info. If you experiencedrowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities amitriptyline drug info.
• Dizziness is likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position amitriptyline drug info. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall amitriptyline drug info.
• Use alcohol cautiously amitriptyline drug info. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizzinesswhile you are taking amitriptyline amitriptyline drug info.
• Do not stop taking amitriptyline suddenly amitriptyline drug info. This could cause symptomssuch as nausea, headache, and malaise amitriptyline drug info.

What are the possible side effects of amitriptyline?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takingamitriptyline and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medicaltreatment:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; or hives);
· seizures;
· a fast or irregular heartbeat;
· a heart attack;
· high blood pressure (blurred vision, headache);
· difficulty urinating; or
· fever with increased sweating, muscle stiffness, or severe muscle weakness amitriptyline drug info.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur amitriptyline drug info. Continueto take amitriptyline and talk to your doctor if you experience
· drowsiness or dizziness;
· dry mouth and eyes;
· constipation;
· mild tremor;
· sweating;
· mild agitation, weakness, or headache;
· ringing in the ears;
· nausea; or
· loss of weight or appetite amitriptyline drug info.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur amitriptyline drug info. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome amitriptyline drug info.

What other drugs will affect amitriptyline?
• Do not take amitriptyline if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitorsuch as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate)within the last 14 days amitriptyline drug info.
• Amitriptyline may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness,including other antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used totreat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants amitriptyline drug info. Tellyour doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any otherprescription or over-the-counter medicines without first talking to your doctor amitriptyline drug info.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with amitriptyline amitriptyline drug info. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including herbal products amitriptyline drug info.

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about amitriptyline writtenfor health professionals that you may read amitriptyline drug info.

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