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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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