amitriptyline what is this drug

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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