amitriptyline hcl side effects

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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