Detailed Drug Information:

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Amitriptyline is an antidepressantmedication. Depression is an all-pervasive sense of sadness and gloom. Insome patients with depression, abnormal levels of brain chemicals calledneurotransmitters may relate to their depression. Amitriptyline elevatesmood by raising the level of neurotransmitters in brain tissue.

PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 10mg, 25mg, 50mg, 75mg, 100mg, 150mg.

STORAGE: Amitriptyline should be stored at room temperature in atight, light resistant container.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Amitriptyline is used to elevate the mood ofpatients with depression. Amitriptyline is also a sedative, and is usefulin depressed patients with insomnia, restlessness, and nervousness. It hasalso been found to be helpful for treating fibromyalgia and symptomsrelated to chronic pain.

DOSING: Amitriptyline may be taken with or without food.Amitriptyline is metabolized by the liver and should be used with cautionin patients with liver dysfunction.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Amitriptyline should not be used withmonoamine oxidase inhibiting drugs. High fever, convulsions and even deathcan occur when these two drugs are used together. Epinephrine should notbe used with amitriptyline, since together they can cause severe highblood pressure. Amitriptyline is used with caution in patients withseizures, since it can increase the risk of seizures. Amitriptyline isused with caution in patients with prostate enlargement because of risk ofurine retention. Amitriptyline can cause elevated pressure in the eyes ofcertain patients with glaucoma. Alcohol blocks the antidepressant actionof amitriptyline but increases its sedative effect. Amitriptyline canaggravate paranoid symptoms in patients with schizophrenia, and increasesymptoms of mania in patients with manic-depressive disease. Cimetidine (Tagamet) can increase blood levels of amitriptyline and its side effects.Overdose with amitriptyline can cause life threatening abnormal heartrhythms. The sedative effect of the medication can possibly impair themental and physical abilities required for driving or operating machinery.

PREGNANCY: Safety in pregnancy and children is not established.

NURSING MOTHERS: Amitriptyline is secreted in human milk, andpotentially can adversely affect the nursing infant.

SIDE EFFECTS: Sometimes troublesome side effects include fastheart rate, blurred vision, urinary retention, dry mouth, constipation,weight gain or loss, and low blood pressure on standing. Rash, hives,seizures, and hepatitis are rare side effects.

"If antidepressants are discontinued abruptly, symptoms may occur such as dizziness, headache, nausea, changes in mood, or changes in the sense of smell, taste, etc. (Such symptoms even may occur when even a few doses of antidepressant are missed.) Therefore, it is recommended that the dose of antidepressant be reduced gradually when therapy is discontinued."