What side effects are possible with this medication?
A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. It can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent, but does not occur in everyone. The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. If you develop any of these side effects (or any other side effects not listed here) or they change in intensity, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on managing them and on the risks and benefits of the medication.
- constipation
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- dry mouth
- hair loss
- headache
- flushing
- increased or decreased appetite
- itching
- low or high blood pressure
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- nausea
- rash
- swelling
- tiredness or weakness (mild)
- unpleasant taste
- vision problems (e.g., blurred vision)
- weight gain or loss
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Click here to learn about serious side effects that can potentially occur with any medication. These examples are provided for information purposes only and are not meant to be exhaustive. Always consult your doctor for sound medical advice specific to your particular medication and treatment.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone at 1-800-332-1088.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take this medication.
Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Amitriptyline may reduce mental or physical abilities. You should not drive a car or perform hazardous tasks until you determine that this medication does not impair your ability to perform these tasks safely.
Heart disease: Tricyclic antidepressant medications such as amitriptyline can cause abnormal heart rhythms, particularly when taken in high doses. Seniors and people with a history of heart disease should be closely monitored by their doctor while taking this medication.
Mania or hypomania: Amitriptyline may cause activation of mania or hypomania. People with a history of bipolar disorder should be closely monitored by their doctor while using this medication.
Medical conditions: If you have the following conditions, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special
monitoring is needed:
- benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate)
- certain blood disorders
- heart disease
- increased eye pressure
- narrow-angle glaucoma
- reduced liver function
- schizophrenia
- seizures
- thyroid disorder
- urinary retention
Suicidal or agitated behavior: People taking antidepressants such as amitriptyline may have behavior or mood changes (feeling agitated, restless, anxious, aggressive, emotional, trouble sleeping, or feeling not like themselves), or they may want to
hurt themselves or others.
If you notice any changes in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings in yourself or someone who is taking this medication, contact a doctor immediately. Your doctor will monitor you closely for behavior changes, especially at start of treatment or when your
dose is increased or decreased.
Thyroid disease: People who have an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) or are taking thyroid medication should be closely monitored by their doctor when taking amitriptyline.
Withdrawal: Stopping this medication abruptly after taking it for a long time may produce nausea, headache, and malaise (generalized discomfort). Gradually reducing the dosage may cause temporary symptoms including irritability, restlessness, and dream and sleep disturbance. Experiencing these symptoms does not mean you are addicted.
Do not suddenly stop taking this medication if you have been taking it for a while. If you are stopping this medication contact your doctor who will advise you on how to gradually stop taking this medication.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be taken during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: This medication passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking amitriptyline, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children under 12 years of age.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
There may be an interaction between amitriptyline and any of the following:
- alcohol
- amiodarone
- anticholinergic medications (e.g., atropine, oxybutynin)
- antifungals (e.g., fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole)
- antihistamines
- barbiturates (e.g., butalbital, phenobarbital)
- blood pressure-lowering medications (e.g., atenolol, hydrochlorothiazide, lisinopril)
- carbamazepine
- cimetidine
- cisapride
- clonidine
- disulfiram
- flecainide
- isoniazid
- levothyroxine
- lithium
- MAO inhibitors (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine)
- nilotinib
- opioid analgesics (e.g., morphine)
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- other medications that can cause sedation (e.g., sedatives, sleeping pills, anaesthetics)
- phenothiazines (e.g., chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine)
- phenytoin
- propafenone
- quinine
- quinidine
- rifampin
- rifabutin
- ritonavir
- St. John's wort
- sibutramine
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline)
- stimulant medications (e.g., appetite suppressants, epinephrine, norepinephrine)
- tetrabenazine
- trazodone
- warfarin
- ziprasidone
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If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.