how does amitriptyline work

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

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

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

How should I take amitriptyline?
• Take amitriptyline exactly as directed by your doctor how does amitriptyline work. If you do notunderstand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explainthem to you how does amitriptyline work.
• Take each dose with a full glass (8 oz) of water how does amitriptyline work.
• Amitriptyline may be taken several times a day or in one daily dose (usuallyat bedtime) how does amitriptyline work. Follow your doctor's instructions how does amitriptyline work.
• Do not stop taking amitriptyline suddenly how does amitriptyline work. This could cause symptomssuch as nausea, headache, and malaise how does amitriptyline work.
• It may be 4 weeks or more before you start to feel better, but do notstop taking amitriptyline without first talking to your doctor how does amitriptyline work.
• Store amitriptyline at room temperature away from moisture and heat how does amitriptyline work.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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