amitriptyline

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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