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Amitriptyline – Usages, Side effects, Risk factors, Precautions
Here in this post, we are discussing the “Amitriptyline”. You can read usages, side effects, Risk factors, and warning information. Keep visiting Psychology Roots.
About Amitriptyline
Amitriptyline is an antidepressant TCAs.
Brand name
Amitriptyline is available with the following brand name.
- Elavil
- Raise
Forms of Amitriptyline
Amitriptyline is available in the following form
- Tablets
Amitriptyline – Usages, Side effects, Risk factors, Precautions
Tablets
Amitriptyline tablets are available in the following doses
- 10mg
- 25mg
- 50mg
- 75mg
- 100mg
- 150mg
Disorder to treat
It is used for the treatment of the following disorder
- Depression
- Eating disorder
Depression
Outpatient:
- Initially 25-50 mg orally every night at bedtime. It may increase by 25 mg every 5-7 days to 100-200 mg per day.
- It may divide doses throughout the day or give at bedtime. If needed, it may increase to 300 mg per day.
Inpatient:
- Orally 100-300 mg per day is given.
Eating Disorder
- Orally 150 mg every night at bedtime for 8 weeks
Adverse effects
There are the following side effects of Amitriptyline
- Agitation
- Anorexia
- Coma
- Agranulocytosis
- Anxiety
- ME
- Ataxia
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Alopecia
- Arrhythmias
- Leukopenia
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Lethargy
- Sedation
- Diarrhea
- ECG changes
- Dizziness
- Photosensitivity
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Insomnia
- Paresthesia
- Hypertension
- Eosinophili
- Restlessness
- Palpitation
- Ocular pressure increased
- Headache
- SIADH
- Rash
- Weakness
- Hallucination
- Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
- Increased LFTs
- Fatigued
- Xerostomia
- Vomiting
- Thrombocytopenia
- Stroke
- Urinary retention
- Tachycardia
- Sexual dysfunction
- Seizure
- Stomatitis
- Tinnitus
- Urticaria
- Weight gain
Warnings
- In short-term studies, antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults (<24 years) taking antidepressants for major depressive disorders and other psychiatric illnesses; this increase was not seen in patients over age 24 years; a slight decrease in suicidal thinking was seen in adults over age 65 years.
- In children and young adults, the risks must be weighed against the benefits of taking antidepressants.
- Patients should be monitored closely for changes in behavior, clinical worsening, and suicidal tendencies; this should be done during the initial 1-2 months of therapy and dosage adjustments; the patient’s family should communicate any abrupt changes in behavior to the healthcare provider.
- Worsening behavior and suicidal tendencies that are not part of the presenting symptoms may require discontinuation of therapy.
- This drug is not approved for use in pediatric patients <12 years.
- Not FDA approved for the treatment of bipolar depression.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity.
- Acute recovery phase following MI.
- Concurrent use with cisapride.
- Contraindicated within 14 days of MAOIs; if linezolid or IV methylene blue (MAOIs) must be administered, discontinue serotonergic drug immediately and monitor for CNS toxicity; may resume 24 hr after last linezolid or methylene blue dose, or after 2 weeks of monitoring, whichever comes first.
Cautions
- May cause sedation and impair mental and physical abilities.
- Avoid use with any drugs or conditions that prolong QT interval.
- May worsen mania symptoms or precipitate mania in patients with bipolar disorder.
- Use caution in patients with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mania, hepatic and renal impairment, thyroid dysfunction, and seizure disorder.
- Clinical worsening and suicidal ideation may occur despite medication in adolescents and young adults (18-24 years).
- Abrupt discontinuation of therapy not recommended in patients receiving high doses for prolonged periods.
Pregnancy
Lactation
- It is distributed in breast milk.
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