Drugs

Amitriptyline : Therapeutic uses, Dosage & Side Effects

Amitriptyline : Therapeutic uses, Dosage & Side Effects

Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) drug that block norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake into the presynaptic neuron, & indicated for depression primarily.
Dose : 50-200 mg
Route : Oral
Plasma Half-life : 10-50 hours
Duration of action : N/A
Bioavailability : 30-60%
Chemical formula : C20H23N
IUPAC name : 3-(10,11-Dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5-ylidene)-N,N-dimethylpropan-1-amine
Trade name : Amline, Sarotena, Tryptomer, Amitrip, Elavil, Levate, Amirol, Amit, Endep, Tadamit, Tryptanol, Tryptizol, Triptyl, Tryptomer, Amitone, Amitor, Amitriptyline, Amitriptyline Hydrochloride, Amitriptyline Hydrochloride (-Caraco, Mutual, Mylan, Sandoz, Vintage), Sarotena,  Sandoz, Amitrol, Amrea, Amypres, ApoAmitriptyline, Crypton, Elavil, Eliwel, Endep, Enovil, Gentrip, Kamitrin, Saroten, Laroxyl, Latilin, Levate, Maxitrip, Mitryp, Mitryp-10, Odep, Redomex, Qualitriptine, Trepiline, Tripta, Triptaz,

Therapeutic uses :
Amitriptyline has following usage :

  • Primarily indicated as anti-depressant drug for treating moderate to severe depression (Major/endogenous depression).
  • Used to help prevent migraine headache.
  • Used to treat chronic pain syndromes (for example, neuropathic pain, post-herpetic neuralgia) in a number of conditions for which the cause of pain is unclear.
  • May be effective in Obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD and phobic states.
  • May reduce compulsive eating in bulimia, and help patients with body dysmorphic disorder, compulsive buying and kleptomania.

Side effects : 

Amitriptyline also block α-adrenergic, histaminic, and muscarinic receptors.
Side effects are common with tricyclic antidepressants, thus, Amitriptyline may produce following side effects:

  • Blurred vision,
  • Xerostomia (dry mouth),
  • Urinary retention,
  • Sinus tachycardia,
  • Constipation,
  • Bad taste,
  • Epigastric distress,
  • Aggravation of angle-closure glaucoma,
  • Prominent sedation,
  • Orthostatic hypotension,
  • Dizziness,
  • Reflex tachycardia,
  • Increased appetite,
  • Weight gain,
  • Sweating and fine tremors,
  • Lowered seizure threshold,
  • Sexual dysfunction,
  • May exacerbate certain medical conditions, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, epilepsy, and preexisting arrhythmias.
    TCAs also have quinidine-like effects on cardiac conduction that can be life threatening with overdose and limit the use of TCAs in patients with coronary heart disease.

Contraindications :

  • TCAs (like all antidepressants) should be used with caution in patients with bipolar disorder, even during their depressed state, because antidepressants may cause a switch to manic behavior.
  • Depressed patients who are suicidal should be given only limited quantities of these drugs and be monitored closely.

For detailed query or in case of uncertainty, Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Doctoralerts aim to deliver pinpoint, trustworthy, and invaluable health insights, empowering everyone to take charge of their well-being.

Categories

Copyright © 2023-24 All Rights Reserved | DoctorAlerts does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

To Top