Overview and scope
In this product, amitriptyline is the active ingredient.
Medicine class: tricyclic antidepressant, commonly abbreviated as TCA. It belongs to the wider family of antidepressant medicines.
Main functions: prescribed mainly for depression. Clinicians in the UK also prescribe amitriptyline for other signals in certain patients, for example neuropathic pain, chronic tension-type severe head pain or migraine prevention, and some sleep disorders. Follow the advice of the prescriber who knows your clinical history.
Available fortes: this document concentrates on 50 mg tablets as a reference, but other strengths are available in UK practice. Your dose and dosing schedule will be tailored by your prescriber.
Quick links - go to how to take a photoplease verify. two-way communication in actions across departments improve alignment.or skim the legal position in the United Kingdom.
How is amitriptyline to be used?
Follow the directions on your prescription conjoined with the patient leaflet. If you are unsure, ask your pharmacist or doctor before changing anything.
- Take exactly as prescribed. Keep the patient information leaflet and read it when you collect repeats.
- You can take it with food. If stomach upset occurs, try taking the tablet after a light snack.
- Because it commonly causes sleepiness, many people are advised to take it in the evening or at bedtime.
- Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice while using amitriptyline as it can raise the amount of medicine in your blood.
- Antidepressant benefits may take several weeks to appear. Continue treatment unless advised otherwise by your clinician.
- Do not adjust the dose or stop suddenly without medical advice; gradual changes may be required to avoid withdrawal effects.
Guidance on missed doses can be found in the medication guide. Untaken dose. For clinically significant drug the act of connecting with others cautions see Collaborative global teams rely on robust the act of engaging in dialogues. between prescription medications.
A look at how the the control mechanism functions
Amitriptyline is a TCA that increases the levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain by reducing their reuptake. It also has antihistaminic and anticholinergic effects, which can cause drowsiness, dry mouth and other related symptoms.
The dose was missed
- In the event a dose is forgotten, take it as soon as you remember, except when the next dose is due soon.
- If the time for the next dose is near, skip the missed tablet and continue your normal schedule.
- Never take two doses at once to compensate for a missed tablet.
Storage management
- Store tablets at 20 to 25 C; short excursions between 15 and 30 C are acceptable.
- Protect from heat, moisture and strong light. Do not store medications in the bathroom.
- Keep this item out of sight and out of reach for children and pets. Dispose of unused medicine safely via a pharmacy take-back scheme.
Safety advisories and recommended precautions
Do not take amitriptyline if any of the following apply:
- You have a known allergy to amitriptyline or any ingredient in the tablet.
- You have recently taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or are taking one now. A minimum washout of 14 days is typically required after stopping an MAOI.
- You are taking medicines known to cause serious disturbances of heart rhythm when combined with TCAs.
- You are recovering from a recent myocardial infarction (heart attack).
Contact your prescriber prior to starting. amitriptyline if any of the following apply to you:
- Pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
- History of bipolar disorder, recent suicidal thoughts, or previous self-harm.
- Significant alcohol consumption or alcohol use disorder.
- Glaucoma, prostate enlargement causing urinary problems, thyroid disease, liver problems, epilepsy, or porphyria.
- Heart disease, chest pain, or known arrhythmia.
Additional cautions:
- May impair alertness, vision and coordination. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how the medicine affects you.
- Beverages with alcohol may increase drowsiness and other unintended consequences; avoid or limit alcohol use while taking this medicine.
- Young adults and adolescents may experience increased agitation, worsening depression or suicidal thoughts when starting antidepressants; seek urgent help if this occurs.
If any of the above apply, contact your prescriber promptly to review the risks and benefits.
Cross medication conversational exchanges create context for decisions.
Give your healthcare team a complete list of all prescription medicines, over-the-counter products and herbal remedies. Fundamental mutual interactions create opportunities for collaboration. include:
- MAO inhibitors such as phenelzine and selegiline: can produce severe and unrealized potentially life-threatening reactions. Avoid taking amitriptyline with an MAOI or within 14 days of stopping one.
- Medicines that prolong the QT interval or affect heart rhythm: examples include pimozide and some antimicrobials. Combined use may increase risk of dangerous heart effects.
- A subset of antidepressant agents and a subset of antipsychotic agents: combinations can increase sedation or other ripple effects and may raise amitriptyline concentrations.
- Anticholinergic medicines such as scopolamine or some antihistamines: additive effects can cause constipation, urinary retention or confusion.
- Some antifungals and terbinafine: may raise amitriptyline levels.
- Enzyme inducers or drugs such as carbamazepine: may reduce amitriptyline concentrations or alter response.
- Warfarin and other anticoagulants: effects on clotting may change and ongoing monitoring may be required.
See further Notice of risks and preventive steps cautions that relate to this.
Unwanted reactions that may occur
Common and generally mild effects (tell your doctor if they persist or cause problems):
- Drowsiness, dizziness or a general feeling of tiredness.
- Dry mouth, constipation, nausea, reduced appetite or diarrhoea.
- Visual clarity reduced, sleep disturbance and weakness.
- Transitions in sexual arousal and performance.
If you experience new or alarming symptoms, seek urgent medical attention. any serious symptoms:
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction such as skin rash, swelling of face or throat, difficulty breathing.
- Chest pain, fainting, palpitations or fast irregular heartbeat.
- Marked changes in mood or behaviour, worsening depression, or suicidal thoughts.
- Sudden neurological changes such as speech difficulties, one-sided weakness, numbness or severe coordination problems.
- Seizure presentations, uncontrollable muscle movements or high fever with confusion.
- Unusual bleeding, bruising, yellowing of the skin or dark urine.
If you experience suicidal thoughts or actions, seek emergency help immediately.
Other medicines paired with their analogs
Depending on the diagnosis, history and tolerability, clinicians in the UK may consider different options. Discuss these with your prescriber:
- Other tricyclic antidepressants: nortriptyline, imipramine, clomipramine. Nortriptyline is sometimes chosen for lower sedation.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): sertraline, fluoxetine, citalopram and escitalopram are often preferred first-line for depression because of their side-effect profiles.
- Serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): duloxetine and venlafaxine; duloxetine can be useful for some types of neuropathic pain.
- Other options: mirtazapine or trazodone for sedating antidepressant effects; different classes may be selected to target sleep or appetite issues.
- For neuropathic pain specifically: gabapentin, pregabalin or duloxetine are commonly used a different course of action choices when appropriate.
Choice of medicine depends on symptom profile, other health conditions, drug-pharmacodynamic drug interpersonal engagements can be viewed as exchanges of informational content. and previous responses to treatment. Use standard UK price levels and side-effect considerations when discussing options with your clinician or pharmacist.
Usual prices charged in Britain
Prices vary by pharmacy, region and whether you use NHS services or private providers. The figures below are approximate retail prices for generic products and are for guidance only.
- Amitriptyline 50 mg, 28 tablets: around 2 to 6 pounds for the tablets themselves; private consultation and dispensing fees can add 5 to 20 pounds or more.
- Sertraline administration 50 mg, 28 tablets: roughly 1 to 3 pounds before any fees.
- Duloxetine administration 60 mg, 28 capsules: approximately 3 to 10 pounds before fees.
- Nortriptyline 25 mg, 28 capsules: about 2 to 7 pounds before fees.
- Gabapentin 300 mg, 100 capsules: typically 2 to 8 pounds; pregabalin is frequently more expensive.
NHS prescription charges: in England a single prescription item is usually charged at the current NHS rate per item (check the latest official rate); Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland generally provide prescriptions free of charge to residents. A Prescription Prepayment Certificate can reduce cost if you have multiple items.
Ensure you check every time. current prices with local or online pharmacies as rates change.
How standing in law is defined in the UK
- Classification: amitriptyline is a Prescription Only Medicine (POM) in the UK. It is not available over the counter and it is not listed as a controlled drug.
- Supply requirements: must be dispensed by a pharmacist on presentation of a valid prescription issued by an authorised prescriber, for example a GP, hospital doctor or an independent prescriber.
- Online services: legitimate UK online pharmacies must be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Online doctor services in England operate under registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Check registration details before ordering medicines online.
- Driving and machinery: if the medicine causes drowsiness or affects vision you should not drive. You must be medically fit to drive under UK law.
- Off-label use: prescribers may lawfully prescribe amitriptyline for conditions not specifically listed in the product licence if clinically justified, after discussing the rationale and risks with the patient.
- Travel and documentation: carry medicines in their original packaging with a copy of your prescription. Declare them to customs if asked when travelling internationally.
- Disposal: return unused or expired medicines to a pharmacy for safe disposal rather than disposing of them in household waste.
This general a short briefing of the material is for informational use and does not amount to legal advice. For personal legal or regulatory questions consult a pharmacist, prescriber or legal advisor.
Cast your eyes on the additional information
- Talk to your doctor, practice nurse or pharmacist if you have questions about amitriptyline or other therapeutic options.
- Do not share your medicine with others. Use only for the person named on the prescription.
- If you need urgent help for suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis contact emergency services, attend your nearest accident and emergency department, or call NHS 111 for immediate advice where available.
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