amitriptyline drug information

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 information.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities amitriptyline drug information. Amitriptyline may cause drowsiness or dizziness amitriptyline drug information. If you experiencedrowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities amitriptyline drug information.
• Dizziness is likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position amitriptyline drug information. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall amitriptyline drug information.
• Use alcohol cautiously amitriptyline drug information. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizzinesswhile you are taking amitriptyline amitriptyline drug information.

What is amitriptyline?
• Amitriptyline is in a class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants amitriptyline drug information. Amitriptyline affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced andcause depression amitriptyline drug information.
• 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 information. Amitriptyline is also sometimes used to treat certain types of pain amitriptyline drug information.
• Amitriptyline may also be used for purposes other than those listed inthis medication guide amitriptyline drug information.

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 information.
• 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 information.
• 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 information.
• Amitriptyline may be harmful to an unborn baby amitriptyline drug information. Do not take amitriptylinewithout first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnantduring treatment amitriptyline drug information.
• Amitriptyline passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby amitriptyline drug information. Do not take amitriptyline without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feedinga baby amitriptyline drug information.
• 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 information. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication amitriptyline drug information.

How should I take amitriptyline?
• Take amitriptyline exactly as directed by your doctor amitriptyline drug information. If you do notunderstand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explainthem to you amitriptyline drug information.
• Take each dose with a full glass (8 oz) of water amitriptyline drug information.
• Amitriptyline may be taken several times a day or in one daily dose (usuallyat bedtime) amitriptyline drug information. Follow your doctor's instructions amitriptyline drug information.
• Do not stop taking amitriptyline suddenly amitriptyline drug information. This could cause symptomssuch as nausea, headache, and malaise amitriptyline drug information.
• 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 information.
• Store amitriptyline at room temperature away from moisture and heat amitriptyline drug information.

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

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

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

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 information.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur amitriptyline drug information. 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 information.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur amitriptyline drug information. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome amitriptyline drug information.

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 information.
• 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 information. 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 information.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with amitriptyline amitriptyline drug information. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including herbal products amitriptyline drug information.

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

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