Causes of Amitriptyline

Amitriptyline is an antidepressant medication. It is primarily used to treat mental depression but may also be used to treat bed-wetting in children over the age of 6 years. Doctors prescribe amitriptyline for multiple sclerosis patients for the treatment of neurological pain such paresthesias in the arms and legs. Amitriptyline has the risk of certain side effects and dangerous interactions with other drugs.

Warning

• Taking amitriptyline in conjunction with depressants including alcohol, over-the-counter antihistamines, muscle relaxers or sleep aids will increase the drowsiness inducing effect of both medications. Patients should always inform their physician of all medications, both prescription and over-the-counter including nutritional supplements, that they are taking prior to beginning treatment with amitriptyline.

Considerations

• Amitriptyline causes dry mouth, which can contribute to the risk of certain diseases of the mouth. Patients who are being treated with amitriptyline should make their dentist aware so that preventative measures can be taken if necessary.

Effects

• The medicine can make the skin more photo-sensitive resulting in sunburn, rash or itching after exposure to the sun. It may also affect blood sugar levels, particularly in patients with diabetes. Other common side effects include weight gain, headache, nausea, bad aftertaste, heartburn and constipation. Most of these complications go away on their own as the body adjusts to the medication. If they persist for more than two weeks, the prescribing physician should be informed.

Pregnant and Nursing Mothers

• There have not been been sufficient studies on the effects of amitriptyline on pregnant women to determine its safety, however animal studies appear to show an adverse effect on newborns. Tricyclic antidepressants including amitriptyline pass into breast milk so nursing mothers should consult with their physician in order to determine whether the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the infant.

Quitting

• As with most antidepressants, a patient should not stop taking amitriptyline without first consulting his physician. A gradual reduction from the medication may alleviate withdrawal symptoms.