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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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