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It comes as tablets and as a liquid. Amitriptyline is also used for some types of pain and to prevent migraines. Find out more about amitriptyline for pain and migraine. Take our survey. Most adults can take amitriptyline. It can also be taken by young people aged 16 to 17 years for depression or low mood. Amitriptyline is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, check with your doctor if you:. If you have diabetes , amitriptyline can make it more difficult to keep your blood sugar stable.

Monitor your blood sugar more often for the first few weeks of treatment with amitriptyline and adjust your diabetes treatment if necessary.

Speak to your doctor if your blood sugar levels are causing you concern. You'll usually take amitriptyline once a day. It's best to take it before bedtime because it can make you feel sleepy. If you find that you are still feeling drowsy in the morning you could try taking it earlier in the evening. Amitriptyline liquid also comes in 3 different strengths containing 10mg, 25mg or 50mg of amitriptyline in a 5ml spoonful. The usual dose of amitriptyline for depression in adults is 50mg to mg a day.

This may go up to mg to mg a day if you need a stronger dose, but only under the supervision of a specialist. Young people aged 16 to 17 years and older people sometimes start on a lower dose of 25mg to 50mg a day to reduce the chance of side effects. Sometimes, when you're just starting treatment, you may be told to take a lower dose, 2 or 3 times a day, until you get used to the medicine. This is because taking a smaller dose 2 or 3 times a day for a while can reduce the chance of you having side effects.

Amitriptyline does not usually upset your stomach, so you can take it with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. If you chew them, they taste bitter.

The liquid comes with a plastic syringe or spoon to help you measure out the right dose. If you do not have one, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not measure the right amount. If you take amitriptyline once a day and forget a dose, leave your missed dose and take your next one the next day at the usual time.

If you take amitriptyline 2 or 3 times a day and forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it's close to the time for your next dose. If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

The amount of amitriptyline that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person. Go to Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance. Take the amitriptyline packet, or the leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine with you. Like all medicines, amitriptyline can cause side effects in some people, but many people have no side effects or only minor ones. Some of the common side effects of amitriptyline will gradually improve as your body gets used to the medicine.

Keep taking the medicine but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these common side effects bother you or do not go away:. It happens rarely, but some people have a serious side effect after taking amitriptyline. In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to amitriptyline. These are not all the side effects of amitriptyline.

For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet. If you are already taking amitriptyline, you may be advised to continue taking it during pregnancy, especially if you take it to treat depression. If you become pregnant while taking amitriptyline, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to. Your doctor can explain how taking amitriptyline can help you and how it might affect you. They will also help you choose the best treatment for you and your baby.

If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, you can take amitriptyline while breastfeeding. Amitriptyline passes into breast milk in very small amounts, so it's unlikely to cause any harm to your baby. It's important to keep taking amitriptyline to keep you well.

Breastfeeding will also benefit both you and your baby. If you notice that your baby is not feeding as well as usual, or seems unusually sleepy, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, then talk to your midwife, health visitor or doctor as soon as possible. Many medicines and amitriptyline can affect each other and increase the chances of side effects.

Always check with your doctor or a pharmacist before starting any new medicine while you are taking amitriptyline. Taking amitriptyline with opioid medicines can increase your risk of becoming very drowsy and having breathing problems.

Opioid medicines include:. Tell your doctor if you have ever taken any other medicines for depression. Some antidepressants can affect the way amitriptyline works and cause very high blood pressure. This can happen even after you have stopped taking them. Do not take St John's wort, a herbal remedy for depression, while you're taking amitriptyline as this will increase your risk of side effects. There's very little information about taking amitriptyline with other herbal remedies and supplements.

They are not tested in the same way as medicines. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. Amitriptyline is from a group of medicines called tricyclic antidepressants. They are thought to work by increasing levels of a chemical called serotonin in your brain. This can improve your mood. You may find you are feeling better after a couple of weeks, although it usually takes between 4 and 6 weeks before you feel the full benefit of the medicine.

You might feel sleepy in the first few days after taking amitriptyline — do not drive a car, ride a bike or operate machines until you see how this affects you and things settle down.

Use good contraception while you are taking amitriptyline. If you take amitriptyline while you are pregnant, it may affect the developing baby. However, not treating your depression may be worse for both you and your baby, so do talk to your doctor or midwife about this and get their help. Amitriptyline can also cause symptoms in newborn babies such as extra sleepiness, so your baby will be closely checked.

In most cases you should be able to breastfeed as normal. Take your medicine with you to show to the doctors. Tell them how much you have taken.

Get a friend or family member to go with you if you can, in case you feel ill on the way. You should also stop taking amitriptyline and go to a doctor or hospital straight away if you get any of the following symptoms:. Tell the doctor if you are going to have an operation — you may need to stop amitriptyline for a few days as it does not mix well with some anaesthetics used in surgery. You also need to tell the people who are going to do your operation before the day it takes place.

Like all medications, amitriptyline has some side effects, and in some cases they can be serious. However, most side effects are mild and should get better within a few days. If they do not, you should go back to your doctor. We use cookies We use cookies on this website to store user preferences, aid in accessibility and analyse our traffic.

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I am a young person I am a parent I work with young people. Open site search Open main navigation. View shareable links View Basket : 0 items. Guide Menu for Amitriptyline. Hide Show guide menu. Guide contents jump to section About amitriptyline Amitriptyline and everyday life Uses, warnings, safety and side effects About this information More information and advice. About amitriptyline.

Please note. Always talk to your doctor about your situation and whether this medication is for you. Thinking about trying medication? Read our guide. How amitriptyline works. Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant used to treat depression. Amitriptyline and everyday life. Frequently asked questions. How long does it take to start working? You should start to see some positive effects from amitriptyline after two weeks. What effects will it have on my body?

Amitriptyline can have some effects on your body, including: breast swelling and milk flow regardless of gender swelling of the testicles balls changes in blood sugar levels increased appetite and weight gain skin rashes buzzing or ringing in the ears Some people experience changes in their blood cells you may get a sore throat, mouth ulcers and recurring infections, bleeding or bruising easily.

Should I tell my family and friends I am taking it? Will it affect my sleep? Can I drink alcohol, take street drugs or smoke while taking it? Alcohol If you drink alcohol while taking amitriptyline, it may make you very sleepy. Street drugs Amitriptyline does not mix well with recreational drugs. If you mix cannabis and amitriptyline, you could get a fast heartbeat. If you take heroin or methadone with amitriptyline, you may feel extremely sleepy.

Smoking Cigarette smoke affects the amount of amitriptyline in your body. Can I take it with other medications? I have allergies and food intolerances. Is there anything I need to know? Can I drive while taking it? Do not drive a car or ride a bike just after you start taking amitriptyline. Do not worry - most people drive as normal while taking amitriptyline.

Can I take it if I am pregnant or breastfeeding? Pregnancy If you find you are pregnant while doing well on amitriptyline, it is probably best to stay on it. Post-natal Some newborn babies whose mothers take amitriptyline during pregnancy can get withdrawal symptoms at birth and soon after, like breathing problems or restlessness. Breastfeeding Amitriptyline is passed to the baby in breastmilk in small amounts. Breastfeeding can help offset some of the withdrawal effects of amitriptyline, if they happen.

Will it affect my sex life or fertility? Sex Amitriptyline can have side effects that affect your sex life. Fertility There is no information available about whether amitriptyline can affect fertility, but it is unlikely to be a problem. If you are trying to get pregnant while taking amitriptyline, talk to your doctor.

Will it affect my ability to play sports? Amitriptyline is not a banned substance in sport. Yellow eyes or skin. Safety measures. What safety measures should you taken when your child is using amitriptyline? Amitriptyline can make some existing heart rhythm problems worse. Your child's doctor may order an electrocardiogram ECG to check your child's heart rhythm.

There are some medicines that should not be taken together with amitriptyline; the dose of amitriptyline or the other medicine may need to be adjusted.

It is important to tell your child's health care providers if your child takes any other medications prescription, over the counter or herbal. This medicine may cause your child to be less alert. Watch your child's activities closely until you see how amitriptyline affects them. You may also have your child avoid tasks that require alertness, such as riding a bicycle, driving or contact sports. Your child may get sunburned more easily.

Avoid lots of sun, sunlamps and tanning beds. Use sunscreen, dress your child in protective clothing and encourage them to wear sunglasses.

Do not stop giving your child amitriptyline suddenly, talk to your child's doctor first. The doctor may want to slowly decrease the dose of amitriptyline before stopping it to prevent withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, restlessness, headache and tiredness. Keep your appointments with the doctor to have your child checked regularly.

Other important information. What other information should you know about amitriptyline? Keep a list of all medications your child is on and show the list to the doctor or pharmacist. Do not share your child's medicine with others and do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.

Make sure you always have enough amitriptyline to last through weekends, holidays and vacations. Call your pharmacy at least two days before your child runs out of medicine to order refills. Keep amitriptyline tablets at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.

Do NOT store it in the bathroom or kitchen. Do not keep any medicines that are out of date. Check with your pharmacist about the best way to throw away outdated or leftover medicines. Overdose information.