1. Amitriptyline is used to treat several conditions, most commonly depression and some types of pain.
2. This medicine takes some time to work fully. You may need to take it for two to four weeks before you feel any better.
3. The tablets can make you feel drowsy. If you feel drowsy do not drive. Alcohol can make drowsiness worse and is best avoided.
4. Do not stop taking the tablets even if you feel better. If you do want to stop, speak to your doctor first. You may need to reduce the dose slowly.
5. Like all medicines, amitriptyline can have some unwanted effects. Dry mouth and eyes, sweating, constipation, difficulty passing water and blurred vision may occur, but often go away after the first week or so. If the tablets make you feel dizzy or faint when you get up, try to stand up more slowly and count to 20 before walking. If these or any other side effects are persistent or troublesome, tell your doctor.
6. Problems can occur if amitriptyline is taken with some other medicines. Are you taking any other prescribed medicines or medicines you have bought?
This series of "advice tips" on commonly used drugs is written by pharmacists from the Sussex Pharmacy Academic Practice Unit. It is intended as a reminder of points to be made by pharmacists as they hand out dispensed medicines. Cards for sale: Sets of 50 "tips" are now available for sale as 12 x 15cm cards, supplied with a ring binder, at a cost of £18 (UK); £22 (elsewhere). For those who already have the first 25 cards and binder, cards 26-50 are available separately at a cost of £8 (UK); £11 (elsewhere). Orders should be sent to Pharmacy Practice Consultants, 12 Firle Road, Lancing, West Sussex BN15 0NZ, with cheques payable to Pharmacy Practice Consultants.
By Carina and Duncan Livingstone