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

What is amitriptyline?
• Amitriptyline is in a class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants elavil brand name amitriptyline. Amitriptyline affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced andcause depression elavil brand name 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 elavil brand name amitriptyline. Amitriptyline is also sometimes used to treat certain types of pain elavil brand name amitriptyline.
• Amitriptyline may also be used for purposes other than those listed inthis medication guide elavil brand name 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 elavil brand name 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 elavil brand name 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 elavil brand name amitriptyline.
• Amitriptyline may be harmful to an unborn baby elavil brand name amitriptyline. Do not take amitriptylinewithout first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnantduring treatment elavil brand name amitriptyline.
• Amitriptyline passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby elavil brand name amitriptyline. Do not take amitriptyline without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feedinga baby elavil brand name 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 elavil brand name amitriptyline. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication elavil brand name amitriptyline.

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

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

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

What should I avoid while taking amitriptyline?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities elavil brand name amitriptyline. Amitriptyline may cause drowsiness or dizziness elavil brand name amitriptyline. If you experiencedrowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities elavil brand name amitriptyline.
• Dizziness is likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position elavil brand name amitriptyline. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall elavil brand name amitriptyline.
• Use alcohol cautiously elavil brand name amitriptyline. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizzinesswhile you are taking amitriptyline elavil brand name amitriptyline.
• Do not stop taking amitriptyline suddenly elavil brand name amitriptyline. This could cause symptomssuch as nausea, headache, and malaise elavil brand name 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 elavil brand name amitriptyline.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur elavil brand name 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 elavil brand name amitriptyline.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur elavil brand name amitriptyline. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome elavil brand name 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 elavil brand name 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 elavil brand name 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 elavil brand name amitriptyline.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with amitriptyline elavil brand name amitriptyline. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including herbal products elavil brand name amitriptyline.

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

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